DESERT FOOD FOREST: He Picks Fruit Every Day of the Year!

[@lw2131]

WOW! I visited when they were just getting started in 2018... bought a worm starter kit for DIY vermiculture. Zach talked then about his plans for the future... and sure enough, he followed through! Looks beautiful ❤

[@annyruygrok831]

Me too. I need to go back

[@nancywilkes298]

Very well done… We need a food forest here in Missouri! ⭐️

[@pollytiks3885]

This was really fascinating!

[@michelleh.7010]

Goals. Thank you so much, Angela!

[@fraukeg.facchini2691]

Wow, that is super interesting! Thanks so much!

[@micheleshaffer9017]

I purchased my worms from them. Best worms I have ordered.

[@miriammcgee]

Can we get info on his different guilds?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Working on a blog post about that now

[@copperdeserthomestead]

Great simple explanations, thanks you

[@daiquiri_dan]

How does he deal with the ants? Would be good to know

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Uses bait traps

[@miriammcgee]

Who was his permaculture designer? Are the local?

[@arizonawormfarm]

We used Kristin Parsons from cultivated, LLC

[@EnlightenmentGarden]

Angela, thanks for sharing the tour of AZ Worm Farm's food forest. Zach's tips are spot on! Enjoyed the video--very well put together.

[@MesaQuilter]

Wow, so awesome. This is now my new goal‼️

[@Court62]

Very encouraging! Thanks, Angela and Zach. I love that Zach began with a permaculture expert.

[@lauriekeikkala9937]

That was a fun field trip!! Thanks Angela!!! Awesome work Zach!!

[@asylumjk]

Just visited for the first time yesterday! What a fun place & we’re so lucky to have it close by us🙌🏻

[@JuanettesCraftingCorner]

Wow I'm blown away. I never knew so much could be grown here in Arizona.

[@karinsoderberg5391]

Excellent video! In November of 2021 with the help of a permaculture designer we began creating our food forest on our half acre property in Southern CA, zone 10a. Today we have over 50 different species/varieties of plantings: trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover, herbs, veggies, berries, and more. It is still a work in progress, but the rewards are great! It was so inspiring to see what Zach has accomplished, and also see many of the same design elements of my food forest reflected in his!

[@slporter722]

great information. I'm so glad I live near the AZ worm farm! I would like some fruit trees but in a small track home. I think I will start with a dwarf Meyer lemon. Do you or can you recommend where I good place to buy fruit trees?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

The worm farm has some

[@pollytiks3885]

I bought my Meyer Lemon tree at Summer Winds.

[@alexandertabor1215]

Shamus O’Leary’s, it’s right next door to worm farm.

[@randymartin5521]

I sprouted several apricot seeds and have just planted them in pots. My goal is to transplant them somewhere on my property once they outgrow the small pots they're in. How far away from each other should I plant them to prevent disease from spreading between them? We have lots of honey bees around and I'm sure pollination won't be a problem if the trees are scattered around out 2+ acres.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Good question. I'd try for groupings of different types of fruit trees in each area spread out.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Outstanding! Beautiful design. I bet it's so nice under all those trees in the hot weather, at least by comparison.

[@dunerider450f]

Can you share the name of the Permaculturist they used? I would like to do something similar!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Kristin Parsons from cultivated, LLC

[@RS-ing]

Isn't mulberry banned in Phoenix or Arizona?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I've heard that before, but local nurseries sell them so I'm not sure that it's true.

[@jherman89]

A very interesting example of agroforestry. But I wouldn't call this permaculture because he relies extensively on external inputs: the arizona water supply for irrigation, and it's finite and unsustainable in the long-term. Permaculture, or permanent agriculture, emphasizes types of land-use which can last for generations, are very resilient, and sustainable. If he were to irrigate his food-forest using rainwater with arid-adapted tree crops, he would be much better prepared for the dryer future arizona will certainly have. A great example of an arid permaculture food forest is Geoff Lawton's Jordan "Greening the Desert" Project.

[@robinherbert-fo3em]

We are just starting our own food forest and bought a bunch of trees berry bushes grapes kiwi and flowers and I'm gong to make sure to implement the diversity placement. Thanks for the info!

[@melindajones7968]

Love Arizona Worm Farm! My biggest struggle is dealing with gophers. They've killed at least three of my trees and even my lemongrass. Any ideas on how to get rid of them and protect our plants. We back up to the canal district, so I'm feeling like it might be a losing battle.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

This may help: growinginthegarden.com/5-steps-to-get-rid-of-gophers-in-the-garden/ you also probably need to use gopher baskets to protect the roots.

[@ban9640]

in saudi arabia we have similar climate like aizona we prefer to grow palm dates to shade 2nd and 3rd layer/level of trees and shrubs but for me from the video i couldnt understand the irrigation used in this garden?? and distances between the trees !!!

[@marycampbell4160]

Outstanding information thanks for sharing

[@pongop]

Awesome! I love seeing what's possible in hot and extreme areas!

[@nancys.5968]

I'd like to know who the permaculture designer was. I know someone who is looking for one.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Kirstin Parsons - not sure if she is accepting clients.

[@nancys.5968]

@@GrowingInTheGarden Thank you!

[@BrendaBodwin]

You should have given the permaculture expert name. I have a piece Id gladly hire their expert to plan and design. Obviously that person is correct.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Her name is Kirstin Parsons.

[@annyruygrok831]

I want to know as well

[@BrendaBodwin]

@@GrowingInTheGarden Thank you. 😁👍❤

[@deedaw9246]

This seems unachievable without an expert even though us gardeners would love to have this. I have a lime tree that is over 3 urs old and looks like we just planted it yesterday. It will now grow and barely stays alive each year. We have no idea why.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Focus on your soil. This video shares his method: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f56ceaWnrtapmJo

[@HTaylor-no2oc]

This was so cool and encouraging!

[@utubemouse]

💚

[@mezmarionybarra]

Wonderful ❣️

[@AMAOG78191]

What are some year-round lower level plants that do well in flood irrigation. Bananas don't seem to do well in my yard with watering. They rot quickly.

[@scottburgle4889]

Plant your bananas, or any plants/trees prone to rot, up on a mound.

[@AMAOG78191]

@@mgm2008 It usually takes 10-12hr

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Asparagus

[@septimal_7]

Lol I felt him when he said Oleanders are "really just and awful plant" Will consider Everbearing Mulberries!

[@jimmyaurora7]

Why? He doesn't really explain :)

[@septimal_7]

@@jimmyaurora7 they are invasive but worst of all they are pretty toxic!

[@customer5032]

​@@jimmyaurora7 Poisonous

[@MarkyMark21]

Awesome video

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks! ❤🌱🏜️