Total Plants
3,078
Area
2,400 ft²
Layers
5
Canopy Trees
2
Total Plants Needed
3,078
5 layers across 2,400 sq ft
Canopy
2
Understory
10
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Inputs
Result
Canopy: floor(2400/900)=2, Understory: floor(2400/225)=10, Shrub: floor(2400/36)=66, Herbaceous: floor(2400/4)=600, Ground Cover: floor(2400/1)=2400. Total = 3,078 (approximate).
Inputs
Result
Shrub: floor(400/36)=11, Herbaceous: floor(400/4)=100, Ground Cover: floor(400/1)=400. Total = 511.
A food forest has 7 layers: canopy trees (30 ft spacing), understory trees (15 ft), shrub layer (6 ft), herbaceous plants (2 ft), ground cover (1 ft), vines (10 ft), and root crops (2 ft). Each layer occupies different vertical space to maximize production.
| Layer | Spacing | Examples | Plants per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canopy | 30 ft | Apple, walnut | 1 |
| Understory | 15 ft | Cherry, fig | 4 |
| Shrub | 6 ft | Blueberry, hazelnut | 27 |
| Ground Cover | 1 ft | Strawberry, clover | 1,000 |
A food forest can work in as little as 200 sq ft (a small backyard) using only shrub and ground cover layers. A full 7-layer food forest with canopy trees needs at least 2,400 sq ft (about 1/20 acre). Most backyard food forests are 500–2,000 sq ft.
Ground cover and herbs produce in year 1, shrubs in years 2–3, understory trees in 3–5 years, and canopy trees in 5–10 years. A mature food forest with all layers producing takes about 7–10 years but yields food every year from the start.
White clover is the best all-purpose food forest ground cover because it fixes nitrogen, tolerates shade, and suppresses weeds. Strawberries are best for edible ground cover. Creeping thyme works well on paths. Plant at 1 ft spacing for full coverage in one season.
Read our guide
Read our guide
Read our guide
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Last Updated: Mar 19, 2026
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