Att2 - Permaculture Report

          Syntropic System

          We recommend a Syntropic Market Garden system to produce the bulk of the produce for
          the CYC site. This approach is based on the syntropic farming method, developed by
          Swiss-Brazilian scientist Ernst Gotsch in Brazil. This regenerative agricultural method can
          regenerate ecosystems in a third of the time it would regenerate unassisted while
          simultaneously growing food, restoring soil fertility and ghting climate change.

          We recommend this system to be set up on the location as marked on Image B, and for
          the rows to be implemented on contour approximately from north to south.
          The system will consist of several tree lines with productive tree systems, with vegetable
          rows in between. The area needed for consistent food production for 300 plus people is
          around 3,500m2.
          As this system is highly and consistently productive, we would envision this system to
          produce enough food to provide any excess to the local community, thus ensuring more
          local food resilience in the immediate and greater area.

          The tree rows of the system are essential biomass producers. The tree rows are pruned
          regularly and its biomass is dropped into the existing system on the paths. This has a
          twofold e ect: the biomass breaks down in the paths thus creating more organic matter,
          and the trees when pruned release a growth hormone through their roots which stimulates
          the growth of the vegetables.

          The trees in the tree rows are diverse. We highly recommend having a minimum of 8
          di erent species in the tree rows, as this has been found to be a magic number in mutual
          support and improvement of productivity.
          The vegetable rows are recommended to be diverse as well, but can have sections
          planted with one of two species for ease of harvest.

          Some of the recommended species for the tree rows:
          Bananas, silky oak, co ee, comfrey, Brazilian Spinach, Surinam Spinach, Cassava,
          pomegranate, sun owers, pigeon pea, popcorn cassia, clover.

                                                    In the vegetable rows any vegetables can be
                                                    planted depending on season, keeping in mind
                                                    that winter is the best growing season for
                                                    temperate “European style” vegetables in our
                                                    sub-tropical climate.
                                                    We also recommend that perennial sub-tropical
                                                    vegetables are planted in among the existing
                                                    orchards to ensure that there is a continuing
                                                    supply of food in the warmer months.

                                                   Staple sub-tropical carbohydrate foods such as
                                                   cassava, yam, taro, sweet potato, arrowroot
                                                   and pumpkins will need a separate area and we
                                                   would suggest extending the syntropic area to
                                                  include the staples and including staples in the
          orchard area. These need a longer growing time than other vegetables, but can be
          processed into our when harvested, thus replacing the need for grains which are
          challenging to grow in our climate.
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