The way we currently produce our food is damaging both to ourselves and our planet. There is therefore a need to create gardens, woodlands and farms which are in harmony with nature. Natural ecosystems are good models, but many of the plants they contain are not necessarily edible. What we need is to discover and grow a wide variety of easily grown perennial and self-seeding annuals which provide delicious and healthy food, or are useful in other ways.

The research we undertake explores the use of  plants such as these, both native to Britain and Europe and from temperate areas around the world. Our work included those suitable for: the ornamental garden, the edible lawn, shade, ponds, walls, hedges, agroforestry and conservation.

In this section we share our experiments and successes in growing herbs, vegetables, flowers, shrubs and trees at our 28 acre piece of land in Cornwall. The site is a place to demonstrate the many uses of plants with a very strong emphasis on perennial species. It is run by a small group of volunteers.

Research is on going since much of the information on plant uses has been lost from every day life but is stored in books and research papers. We are collating this information in a more accessible way, in the form of a database, which currently consists of over 7,000 species of plants.

The database is available on this website or we can supply the database on CD ROM or as a download from the website, for more information please visit the shop.

Further research is carried out by visiting gardens around the country recording the results of these visits. Virtually all the plants we grow have never been selectively bred for edibility so there is a huge potential for alternative foods, which careful selection could help to realise.
 

We have published a 'Plants For A Future - Edible and useful plants for a healthier world'. This book is available from and number of sources. Please visit the shop for more information.

Plants For A Future is a non-profit making resource centre supplying information and where possible the plants. All plants are grown without the use of artificial fertilizers, sprays or animal products. We do not charge for our services but ask for donations to at least cover our costs. For more information on how to Support Us.

The Report: Plants For A Future: Survey and Research Project on the 'The Field'

We have recently completed a survey and research project on the 'The Field',  the experimental site of Ken and Addy Fern ( Plants For A Future founders) in Cornwall, where they carried out research and provided information on edible and otherwise useful plants suitable for growing outdoors in a temperate climate. Over time they planted 1500 species of edible plants on 'The Field' in Cornwall, which was their base since 1989.

You can read more information here. The full report can now be downloaded for free...more