Turning Your Backyard into a Food Forest with Dani Baker

Turning Your Backyard into a Food Forest with Dani Baker

Author: Susan Poizner, OrchardPeople.com June 28, 2022 Duration: 41:43

Learn how to transform your backyard into a food forest, integrating existing fruit trees and shrubs into the design. Dani Baker, author of The Home-Scale Forest Garden: How to Plan, Plant and Tend a Resilient Edible Landscape is our show guest. Dani is the owner of Cross Island Farms in Wellesley Island, NY and the creator of The Enchanted Edible Forest.

The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website http://www.orchardpeople.com.

 

Formerly known as the Urban Forestry Radio Show, from germination in January 2016 until December 2023, we have grown over the years, thanks to the collective knowledge and collaboration of our monthly guests, organizations, and audience from around the world.

 

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  • (00:00) - Introduction to Community Orchards
  • (00:51) - Introducing Dani Baker and Her Book
  • (01:38) - Understanding Food Forests
  • (03:11) - Planning and Challenges of Food Forests
  • (04:50) - Benefits of Food Forests
  • (05:54) - Steps to Create a Food Forest
  • (07:34) - Audience Questions and Answers: Origin of the guest's name Dani, Species to Consider and Considerations of Species, First Step of Food Forest Preparation
  • (11:12) - Nitrogen Fixing Plants for Food Forests
  • (18:52) - Nutrient Accumulators and Their Benefits
  • (20:27) - Revamping the Garden: Dandelions' Role
  • (21:49) - Listener Questions: Food Forest Planning
  • (22:57) - Cover Crops and Soil Management
  • (25:22) - Maintenance and Labor in Food Forests
  • (26:30) - Permaculture and Climate Change
  • (29:10) - Integrating Herbs for Pollinators
  • (32:06) - Empathy in Gardening: A Psychologist's Perspective
  • (34:45) - Practical Tips for Food Forest Success
  • (38:22) - Exploring the Enchanted Edible Forest
  • (41:20) - Conclusion and Book Promotion

Imagine stepping into your own backyard and picking a perfect, sun-warmed apple from a tree you nurtured yourself. That tangible connection to the land and the deep satisfaction of growing your own food is at the heart of Orchard People. Hosted by fruit tree care educator Susan Poizner, this podcast digs into the practical and often surprising world of cultivating fruit trees, whether you have a few pots on a balcony or several acres to explore. Each episode feels like a thoughtful conversation with a knowledgeable friend, as Susan and her guests unpack the nuances of pruning for better harvests, managing pests without harsh chemicals, and understanding the life beneath our feet through soil health. You’ll hear from specialists on topics like grafting heirloom varieties, designing resilient food forests, and integrating permaculture principles into any space. It’s more than just tips and tricks; it’s about building confidence and community around sustainable growing. Tune in to this garden-focused podcast for grounded advice that helps both new and experienced growers foster healthier trees and more abundant yields, season after season.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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