Charlotte forest garden

Upcoming Events

Charlotte Forest Garden Planting

April 17, 10am-12pm

What is a forest garden

A forest garden is a diverse planting of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and edible plants that mimics a natural forest. Forest gardens promote biodiversity by creating a habitat for animals and insects. They are a sustainable and low-maintenance way to produce food. The layers of a forest garden include:

  • CANOPY: large fruit and nut trees (oak, black cherry)

  • UNDERSTORY: smaller fruit and nut trees (apple, hazelnut)

  • SHRUB: mid-sized plants (currant, blackberry, ninebark)

  • HERBACEOUS: low-growing plants; herbs, flowers, grasses, & vegetables (oregano, rhubarb, aster, switchgrass)

  • GROUND COVER: plants that spread to cover the soil (violet, strawberry, creeping phlox, clover)

  • VINE: climbing plants (grapes, kiwi)

  • RHIZOSPERE: root crops (carrots, groundnut)

History

  • In 2023 GFWC-Charlotte Environment Committee created the initial design for the Charlotte Forest Garden.

  • In February of 2024, Charlotte Area Recreation Cooperative (CARC) approved use of two acres of farmland in CARC Park to plant the garden.

  • On May 16, 2024, the first trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and edible perennials (over 140 plants) were planted in a demonstration plot.

  • Pathways were created using cardboard and wood chips.

  • Water storage tanks and drip irrigation hoses were installed.

  • Two recycled plastic benches were obtained through Green Tree Plastics by sorting 440 pounds of plastic lids. A third bench was donated.

  • In October 2024, over 40 trees and shrubs were planted to form five additional fruit and nut tree guilds.

  • In December 2024, the project was awarded a DNR Community Forestry Grant, which will fund the planting of 89 trees, five community workshops, creation of a Youth Tree Stewardship Program, and installation of 12 educational signs!

  • Additional plantings are planned for spring and fall 2025 and spring 2026.

community partners

  • General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)- Charlotte

  • Charlotte Area RecreationCooperative (CARC)

  • Trees N’ Scapes, Inc.

  • Charlotte High School Future Farmers of America (FFA)

  • Charlotte Fire Department

  • Justin Brummette, Owner of Big Kid Tree Worx, LLC

  • Randy Kenyon, Owner of Kenyon and Sons, LLC

  • Streetheart