Organised & High Density Food Forest

Our third experiment keeps the high density of #1 but brings a better planning when placing the different species. It also includes fast-growing short-lived plants, an organic windbreak and a small keyhole path in the center.

Protocol:

• Soil preparation: decompaction at 80 cm, 15% plain compost, 5% composted horse manure

• Density of 3 plants per m²

• Not planted randomly: all Target trees are planted at a minimum distance of 1.20 or 1.80 cm

• Between our target trees, “hero” trees are planted: not long-lived, non-invasive, fast-growing, easy to chop and drop if necessary

• Size: 40 m²

Assessment: (1 *: low to 5 *: high)

• Growth rate: ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫
  Ultra-fast during the first year. A 30 cm banana plant reached full maturity after 13 months.

• Resilience (biodiversity and quality of soil microbiology): ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫
  Probably good, providing habitat for several insects, birds, frogs, etc.

• Quantity, quality, and predictability of fruit production: ⧫ ⧫ ⧫
  To be assessed. Expected results are that the sun requirement of each plant is taken into account, and enough space is available for better development of Target fruit trees. We expect much better results than in a randomly planted food forest.

• Maintenance: ⧫ ⧫ ⧫
  Quite difficult, although already easier than in a randomly planted system.

• Cost-effectiveness: ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫
  Very expensive.

• Scalability: ⧫ ⧫

  Difficult to implement on a large area.

• Water efficiency: ⧫ ⧫
  After one year, 36 liters per m²/day during the summer period.

Organised & High Density Food Forest

The specifics:

• Planting date: July 2023

• Area: 40m²

• Number of species: 60

• Total of plants: 110

• Planting density: ~3/m²

• Plants were not placed randomly, unlike Experiment #1. The sun-loving plants were planted on the Southwest outer edge. The trees we want to keep in the long-term were all planted at a distance of 1.2m or 1.8m apart

• Like Experiment #2, we used a lot of ‘Hero Trees’, edible plants which grow fast and will not live too long, or can be pruned severely for their biomass (Moringa oleifera, Sesbania grandiflora — vegetable hummingbird —, Cajanus cajan — pigeon pea —, Carica papaya, among others). They also provide protection to our more valuable trees in the first years. We were inspired to use Hero Trees by the Syntropic Farming approach

• We created a round-shape forest to increase wind resistance

• An organic windbreak was added on the Northeast side which is also being used to grow shade-loving vines

• A keyhole-shaped path, with a central space, was added, in order to facilitate access to the trees and to let more light enter the forest during the winter

The expected results:

• Very fast and healthy growth

• Better long term survival rate

• Ease of harvest and maintenance

• High protective effect (wind and frost)

• Fewer pests & diseases

Data monitored:

• Plant height

• Trunk diameter at 20% of the total height

• Food production

• Average water usage

• Plant survival rate

• Pests & diseases

Species in this Food Forest

1. Aframomum sp. Uganda dwarf — seed of heaven

2. Akebia quinata “Cream Form” — chocolate vine

3. Akebia quinata “Silver Bells” — chocolate vine

4. Akebia trifoliata “Big Fruit” — three leaf chocolate vine

5. Aloysia triphylla — lemon verbena

6. Alpina galanga — galangal

7. Alpina zerumbet — shell ginger

8. Annona mucosa “Humongus” — wild soursop

9. Artemisia absinthium — common wormwood

10. Averroha carambola “Arkin” — carambola

11. Bixa orellana — achiote

12. Cajanus cajan — pigeon pea

13. Capparis spinosa “Inermis” — thornless caper

14. Carica papaya “Siluet” — papaya

15. Carica pentagona (Vasconcellea × heilbornii) — babaco

16. Carica quercifolia — oak-leaved papaya

17. Cymbopogon citratus — lemongrass

18. Eugenia anthropophaga — banana pitanga

19. Eugenia brasiliensis — Brazilian cherry

20. Eugenia candollena — rainforest plum

21. Eugenia involucrata — Rio Grande cherry

22. Eugenia selloi — pitangatuba

23. Eugenia speciosa — ibaijuba

24. Eugenia uniflora — Surinam cherry

25. Fortunella margarita — kumquat

26. Fragaria x ananassa — strawberry

27. Garcinia intermedia — lemon drop mangosteen

28. Hemerocallis “Stella de Oro” — daylily

29. Inga sessilis — inga macaco

30. Inga spectabilis — machete ice-cream-bean

31. Kadsura coccinea — Japanese kadsura

32. Lavandula angustifolia — lavender

33. Litchi chinensis “Kway May Pink” — lychee

34. Malpighia emarginata — Barbados cherry

35. Mangifera indica “Tommy Atkins” — mango

36. Melicoccus bijugatus — Spanish lime

37. Monstera deliciosa — delicious monster

38. Moringa oleifera — moringa

39. Murraya koenigii — curry tree

40. Musa “Chini Champa” — banana

41. Origanum majorana — marjoram

42. Origanum syriacum — Syrian oregano

43. Pandanus amaryllifolius — pandan

44. Passiflora edulis — passionfruit

45. Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa — yellow passionfruit

46. Pereskia aculeata Godseffiana — golden ora-pro-nobis

47. Pereskia grandifolia — rose cactus

48. Plinia cauliflora — jabuticaba

49. Psidium cattleianum — strawberry guava

50. Psidium guineense — Brazilian guava

51. Saccharum officinarum “Ko honua ula“ — black sugarcane

52. Salvia elegans — pineapple sage

53. Sesbania grandiflora — vegetable hummingbird

54. Solanum abutiloides — dwarf tamarillo

55. Solanum muricatum — melon pear

56. Talisia esculenta — pitomba

57. Thymus citriodorus — lemon thyme

58. Thymus vulgaris — common thyme

59. Tulbaghia violacea — society garlic

60. Zingiber officinale — ginger

Make sure to check out our main article on Miyawaki-inspired Food Forests, where we explain the whole concept and how we’re putting it into action at the Orchard of Flavours. Also, don’t forget to compare this experiment with all the others already growing:

• Wild & High Density Food Forest

• Organised & Low Density Food Forest

• Highly Organised & Medium Density Food Forest

This article was compiled by Miguel COTTON & Miguel PEREIRA. If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact us. Please write us anytime at miguel@orchardofflavours.com