Theoretical Foundations
Our work is inspired by three well-documented approaches.
The Miyawaki Method
Initially designed to restore degraded land using native vegetation, this method aims to create ultra-dense, biodiverse pocket forests that imitate the complexity of natural forests and the relationships and processes that help them grow strong and resilient. It is well-documented scientifically, although it is not typically used for growing edible plants. At the Orchard of Flavours Botanical Garden, our first Miyawaki-inspired Food Forest was installed in July 2021.
All our Food Forests are greatly inspired by the Miyawaki Protocol, which emphasizes intense initial soil preparation, high density, multiple layers, and simultaneous planting.
Syntropic Agriculture
Our Food Forests are to a certain extent inspired by the Syntropic practice of using “biomass plants” or “martyr plants.” These are plants that do not need to produce any crops but contribute positively to the system. Pruning of these plants is carried out systematically using a slash-and-mulch technique. In addition to allowing more light to reach lower-level plants, pruning these “biomass plants” generates mulch and organic matter, which helps control weeds, feed the soil, and keep it moist.
Here at Orchard of Flavours, we prefer to call these plants our “Hero Trees.” These plants are introduced to create a temporary protective environment for the young target tree. Our Hero trees are selected based on objective criteria: not long lived, fast growing, non invasive root system (and when possible nitrogen fixing). Examples for the Mediterranean climates are: cajanus cajan, moringa oleifera, carica papaya, lemon grass, inga edulis.
— Compare Miyawaki Method and the Syntropic Agriculture Method click here —
Plantation par “Point d’appui”
This technique, developed in France in the 1970s, is a cost-efficient way of planting and growing elite trees (timber trees). Instead of planting the entire plot densely with potential elite trees and later selecting the best ones, this technique involves planting potential elite trees in “small” green patches, keeping a distance between these patches that corresponds to the space needed for mature elite trees. Inside the “green patches,” the forest process, known as “automation biologique”, is beneficial, leading to less evaporation and a compression effect that helps trees grow taller and faster.
Our current Cocoon Food Forest approach always considers the minimum necessary final space needed by the mature fruit tree. For many small subtropical fruit trees, a minimum of 6 m² per tree and a distance of 3 meters between each tree is necessary, and sometimes more, as with mulberry trees and Inga edulis.
— To learn more about the Point d'appui method click here —