Creating a Forest Garden: Embrace the Landscaping Movement

If you’re tired of spending your weekends mowing grass and pulling weeds, there’s another way to think about your yard. It’s called a forest garden—and it’s all about working with nature instead of against it.

At Blue Lizard Services, we hear from a lot of homeowners who want their outdoor spaces to be both beautiful and productive. A forest garden can check both of those boxes. You get fruit, herbs, flowers, and shady spots—plus, once things are established, way less maintenance.

Here’s how to get started, even if you’re working with a small space.

What Is a Forest Garden, Anyway?

A forest garden is a planting method that mimics how plants grow together in nature. Instead of planting just one layer, you stack several:

• Tall trees
• Smaller trees and shrubs
• Herbs and vegetables
• Ground covers
• Climbing vines

Each layer plays a role. Some plants provide food. Others offer shade. Some improve the soil. Together, they create a self-sustaining system that helps keep weeds down, supports pollinators, and looks naturally beautiful.

Why People Love Forest Gardens

If you’re wondering why more homeowners are leaning into this approach, here’s why:

• Minimal mowing (or none at all!)
• Less watering once plants are settled
• Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
• Grows food like berries, herbs, and fruit
• Creates a soft, peaceful, wild feel—not a manicured golf course look

It’s the kind of yard that invites you to sit outside, listen to the birds, and just enjoy the space.

How to Build Your Forest Garden Layers

The magic of a forest garden comes from the way the plants work together. Here’s the basic breakdown:

1. Tall Trees (The Canopy Layer)

Trees that give shade and sometimes food—like pecan, persimmon, fig, or native oaks.

2. Smaller Trees and Shrubs

Think blueberries, elderberries, citrus, or native holly.

3. Herbs and Vegetables

Add layers of rosemary, thyme, mint, garlic chives, or seasonal veggies. These plants are useful for cooking and also help fill the space under your trees.

4. Ground Cover

Keep the soil cool and suppress weeds with low-growing plants like creeping thyme, clover, or sweet potatoes.

5. Climbers and Vines

Grapevines, passionflower, or pole beans work beautifully on trellises or climbing up trees.

Not every yard needs all five layers. The key is to pick what makes sense for your space and goals.

Explore our landscaping services for help planning the right mix of plants for your yard.

Do You Need a Big Yard?

Nope. A forest garden can be as simple as one tree with a few herbs and flowers planted around its base. Even small spaces can support the “stacked” approach.

The important thing is to choose plants that like the same conditions—similar sun, soil, and water needs.

If you’re unsure where to start, native plants are often the safest and easiest option since they’re already adapted to your local climate.

What to Think About Before You Plant

A little planning goes a long way toward success. Ask yourself:

• How much sun does the space get?
• Is the soil well-drained or heavy clay?
• How big will these plants be in five to ten years?
• Do you want plants for food, pollinators, shade—or a mix of all three?

Careful placement now saves time (and replanting) later. If you’re not sure about your soil type or plant compatibility, we’re happy to help with landscape planning and design.

Start Slow—Add Over Time

You don’t need to build the whole garden at once. In fact, the best forest gardens grow slowly and naturally, one season at a time.

Begin with:

• One or two trees
• Herbs or ground covers planted underneath
• Observe how the space grows and changes, then add more as needed

The result? A landscape that feels alive and grows into itself beautifully over the years.

Why This Approach Makes Sense

A forest garden gives back. It provides food, habitat for wildlife, and a peaceful place to relax. Once established, it needs less water and attention than a traditional lawn—and helps you avoid the constant cycle of mowing and weeding.

At Blue Lizard Services, we love helping homeowners turn their yards into spaces they actually enjoy. If you’re ready to spend more time in your yard and less time working on it, this could be the perfect fit.

Let’s Talk About Your Yard

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