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Our syntropic food forests

What is a syntropic food forest?

A syntropic food forest is a sustainable alternative to a monoculture. Fruit trees – we call them queens – are planted in combination with other trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables. Densley planted, growing to different altitudes, mirroring a real forest. All these plants support each other, protect the soil from erosion, retain the water and are a home to birds, insects and microorganisms. Using these principles, we are creating and maintaining productive, regenerative, and futureproof ecosystems.

Soil

Once the red soil of Ibiza enchanted us. Before we became aware of the fact, that this colour symbolises soil erosion and the loss of water. Laid bare, soil becomes increasingly dense, because it is no longer being cultivated by microorganisms. Because microorganisms need shade and moisture. For that reason we cover our soil with mulch and revitalise it with green manure. This way the soil transforms into a fragrant home for diligent microorganisms and enables it to withstand heavy rainfall.

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Partner Plants

Biodiversity means more than just a couple of different trees. It means symbiosis. Of more importance is surrounding the productive plants - our “queens” - with fitting support plants. Support plants are essential in providing shade and a home for all the beneficial insects. Moreover they create biomass, which is returned to the soil, in order to enrich it.

Water

Water is more precious than gold. We strive to use it as sparingly as possible. Some trees need more of it than others. So to save as much water as possible, we minimize evaporation. A key component to achieve this is mulch, and ground covering plants, which store water in their root network. Additionally, our self produced biochar enriches the soil and stores enormous quantities of water. For cool roots on hot summer days.

Pollinators

Butterflies, dragonflies, bugs and bees - insects essential to fertilize plants. With blooming plants and cooling water sites, we offer them protection and a good home. Our forest gardens are humming and whirring with the symphony of the pollinators.

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Succession
 

Succession is a vital part of a continuously working symbiotic food forest. We are taking into account both the present and the future. So today we are already planting seeds for the next generation to enjoy. For instance some of our orange trees are reaching the end of their current life cycle, therefore we have already planted new queens to take up the reins. In the meantime the support plants provide shade, water, and biomass for the whole system, so the little queens can slowly grow into their place in the system.

Bio-Char

Inspired by the fertile soil of the Amazon, Terra Preta, we convert the wood of old trees in our pyrolysis kontiki into black gold. Biochar stores water and microorganisms in its thousands of pores, and supplies the soil with them on a long term basis. This is how a tree at the end of its life cycle creates a new beginning.

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