Food forests are the next step in sustainable home and community gardening. A food forest, or a forest garden, contains edible plants that mimic ecosystems and patterns found in nature. In order to enhance food security and practice permaculture in our own backyards and communities, it is key to understand which plants are best for local food forests and what they will grow alongside with harmoniously. Permaculture, or the philosophy of working with nature rather than against it, can teach us affordable, sustainable, and research-based ways to not only beautify our surroundings, but also lower the risk of food insecurity and help prepare us for population increases and continuous climate change. All one needs to successfully begin their food forest experience is one thing: a lawn. Florida is the perfect state for growing produce, herbs, and other edibles year-round. Most plants in a food forest do not need to be replanted every year, and food forests can take care of their own fertilization and pest control. Knowing which plants grow in which parts of the state (north, central, and south) is crucial, too, in order to successfully create a successful ecosystem. Florida Food Gardens offers readers not only key knowledge on the benefits of food forests and the basics of creating them, but the best plants to grow in any Floridian's backyard, community garden, or other environment. With 200 easy to follow, one page reference sheets for each plant (that includes recipes, cultural information, and much more), readers will be able to actively use the text as they prepare for planting their food forests.
Amanda Pike, PhD, ATR-BC is a board-certified art therapist, professional educator, certified educational leader, and past president of the Florida Art Therapy Association. Dr. Pike grew up spending summers exploring her grandparents' farmland, and lived in Cuernavaca, Mexico for multiple years, working for a holistic wellness company. During this time, she learned to grow and use plants to create health and beauty products. During her master's and bachelor's degrees, she lived and worked on farms and therefore brings to her writing the groundedness of first-hand experience. She currently owns a two-acre, permaculture farm in Jupiter, Florida where she manages her food forest complete with free-roaming chickens and 26 beehives. At present, Dr. Pike also serves as Education Chair and Chapter Representative for the Palm Beach County chapter of the Native Plant Society and provides on-going consultations for educational and community-based programs. Her last book, Eco-Art Therapy in Practice, published internationally by Routledge, highlights the importance of growing and using plants in educational and therapeutic settings. In particular, this text highlights Dr. Pike's knowledge on cultivating natural settings like food forests to enhance physical, mental, and emotional health. As a certified educational leader and local 4-H program facilitator, Dr. Pike helps make food forestry an accessible and practical landscaping option.
