Does the idea of planting a whole edible and herbal food forest feel a little… overwhelming?
I’ve been there! Staring at a blank canvas of backyard space can quickly shift from exciting to intimidating — fast.

Here’s one of my favorite strategies straight from my new guide; The Homemade Gardener Edible & Herbal Food Forest Guide: plant your food forest in SECTIONS.

Step 1: Lay the Foundation

Before you even think about planting, start with your mulch base.
I used wood chip mulch to cover my designated planting areas, letting it decompose for at least a few months. This creates a softer, richer soil base that’s ready to welcome all the herbs, veggies, shrubs, and trees you’ll want to add later.

Step 2: Think in Sections

Instead of treating your yard like one giant project, divide it into sections that feel manageable.

• They can be as big or small as you want — no rules here.
• Pay attention to the lay of your land — hills, dips, and natural curves will often create the perfect section shapes for you.
• Sections let you create a more natural, free-flowing design instead of falling into “straight line syndrome.” Food forests look best when they’re a little wild, with a mix of plants woven together.

Step 3: Enjoy the Process

Once you have your first section planted, step back and enjoy the feeling of progress.
There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing one area completely finished while the others are still waiting for their turn. It gives you energy and motivation to keep going until your whole food forest is thriving.

Why This Works

Breaking your project into sections…

Turns overwhelm into confidence
Allows you to experiment with plant combinations before going big
Makes it easier to maintain as things grow
Keeps your food forest organic and natural-looking instead of stiff and straight

Final Thought

Planting your food forest doesn’t have to be a one-and-done weekend marathon. Think of it as a series of small, creative projects. One section at a time, you’ll watch your yard transform into a lush, edible paradise — without the stress.

You CAN do this — and it’s going to be beautiful. 

Want to Go Deeper?

I’ve created an entire eBook packed with everything you need to create your own thriving edible and herbal food forest — from planning and designing, to planting and maintaining. Everything I have done is in this 175 page e-book including 10 VALUABLE recipes.

It’s called The Homemade Gardener Edible & Herbal Food Forest Guide, and it’s full of tips, tricks, and step-by-step instructions to make the process fun and stress-free.

👉 Grab your copy here and start growing your dream food forest today!

Always remember:

The Future Is Worth The Patience Of The Present

-Michele

The Homemade Gardener