The Edible Forest (Bosque Comestible) is an integral part of the demonstration of food security at the Centro de Capacitación, Investigación, y Demostración de la Agroecología Biointensiva.

An edible forest maintains all of the beneficial qualities of a natural forest™ – protection of water and soil, biodiversity, creation of a micro-climate – but it consists entirely of edible and medicinal trees and plants: fruit trees, nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, and perennial vegetables.  This type of companion planting when grown in a succession of layers builds a woodland habitat that also serves as a windbreak to protect the garden beds at the training and research center.

 

 

The principles for the Bosque Comestible are: 1) to represent a wide variety of edible plants with varying nutritional qualities (protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins); 2) to promote native species, lesser-known species, and species in danger of extinction; 3) to serve as a wind break for the Biointensive beds; 4) to reinforce the soil conservation terraces; and, 5) to serve as a living fence.

Web link: Como Diseñar un Bosque Comestible (español)

 

 

Ninety fruit and nut trees have been planted for the Bosque Comestible which will also serve as a wind break for the biointensive gardens. The Bosque Este – Cuadrícula and the Bosque Oeste – Cuadrícula are separated by a circle of 12 citrus trees.  The establishment of an edible forest is a process that takes several years – similar to the natural regeneration of forests.

 

 

 

 

Each hole is dug 50 cm X 50 cm wide and 90 cm deep:

Web link: Edible Forest wiki page (english)

 

 

 

 

 

Marañón (cashew):

Web link: Manual de Bosques Comestibles (español)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Naranja Dulce (sweet orange):

Web link: Bosque de Comestibles en Las Cañadas en México (español)