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Showing posts from September, 2016

Dig the Fig - The essential guide to all you need to know about figs - Ficus carica

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Would you like to learn how to design and build a forest garden? Originally from Asia Minor, the fig is probably the oldest cultivated fruit in the world. There is evidence to suggest that some 10,000 years ago some of us were planting figs directly outside our caves presumably to be able to slip out for a figgy delight without worrying too much about getting torn to shreds by a Saber-toothed Tiger :) Man and fig have come a long way since then but have remained very much good friends, travelling and setting up home together all over the world where summers are warm and dry and winters are cool. During this article we'll be focusing on the common fig -  Ficus carica . We'll look at fig types, hardy figs, fig cultivation, fig reproduction, fig propagation,  good companions plants for figs, and growing figs commercially. Overview Latin name - Ficus carica Common name -  Common Fig - Adriatic Fig - Symrna Fig Family - Moraceae (same family as Mulberry) Native...

Polyculture Project - Market Garden Study - Update 9

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It's been a busy month here kicking off with our Regenerative Landscape Design Course . Thank you to all of our wonderful guests and special thanks to Georgi Pavlov for your help running the topography sections, and Kata Prodanov for your help in the kitchen. We had a marvelous time and it was great to welcome back Simon and Kartini who having purchased some land in Shipka are starting the initial stages of their site design. Some pics from The Regenerative Landscape Design Course.  More photos from the  course here . Registration for a June 2017 re-run of this course is now open with an early booking discount of 20% from food and accommodation fees available. For more information on this course click below. Registration Now Open  New to the study this month are Jack and Tadeo who have been a tremendous help, and we'd also like to say a big thank you to Susan Eggers and to Sophie's parents Jan and Keith.  The study is almost over for this season and a few days ...

Regenerative Landscape Design - Conceptual design for 80 ha site - Debnevo - Bulgaria

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This spring I was asked to develop a conceptual design for Catherine Zanev and Adjmal Dulloo for a fantastic piece of land on the north side of the Balkan mountains. My goal was to analyse the site and identify the potential of the land for future regenerative development. I've been working with Catherine and Adjmal since 2013 on various sites across Bulgaria, and last year we completed the design of a 5 ha polyculture orchard  (Suhi Dol)  that is now coming to life with the help of project manager Petar Mateev and the team. Suhi Dol - Illustration of the  design at maturity - the s ilvopasture stage. image by  www.georgipavlov.net   Suhi Dol - Todorovo - Photos taken of the first tree  plantings from this spring - t he s ilvoarable stage.  Catherine and Adjmal, along with other pioneer land owners within the regenerative movement, are working towards taking land management to the next level, producing nutritious affordable food, dignified jobs and enh...