Syntropic Agroforestry — Protecting a Spring
How do you approach land that has been severely degraded? Jessica invited Paco, the Syntropic Agroforestry teacher, to help restore the area around a small spring which she and Oswaldo had discovered and cleaned out, high on the recently purchased Origen del Agua land. This land, as I’ve previously mentioned, had been badly managed for many years, with tillage, chemical fertilizers, monocropping, and grazing causing erosion — leaving exposed red clay soil with deep gullies. The first steps of restoration involved placing lines of stones to slow and spread the water flows and trap silt; some swales had been dug and a few hardy shrubs and trees planted, such as a line of banana trees. It was encouraging to see a few puddles of water from the previous night’s rain.
Jessica and Oswaldo had arranged shade cloth over the area around the small spring and its pond the previous day. Paco began by speaking of the land as if it had been an abused person. How would you approach such a person? Gently, with caring and support, and deep listening, rather than to charge in and start cutting and digging. So, first a few volunteers began loosening the soil in a circle around the pond, and adding some composted manure. While Jill and I were freeing some native seeds from their pods, other volunteers began to plant a few trees, such as eucalyptus and aro (a tree that stores and releases water to other plants), and some boton de oro. A few young fique plants were added and everything was mulched well. Finally, handfuls of the mix of seeds were gently planted and covered.
I learned the reason that tree stakes are planted at an angle: it’s to create the shade and moisture on the side of the branch facing the ground, conditions right for the first leaves to sprout.
So many plants were added that access to the spring would be nearly impossible. That was intentional.
Afterwards, everyone packed into Paúl’s tiny truck, and went to a friend of Jessica’s for a lunch of Colombian tamales in banana leaves, and slices of pineapple.
I was glad that there was a good rain that night!
Back at the young food forest in the Bioparque the next day, Paco’s emphasis was on pruning and mulching. With the dry season soon approaching, mulch will help hold the moisture at the roots; and pruning releases growth hormones into the root zone, which also encourages other plants to grow. The pruned branches and leaves add to the mulch and give nutrients. “Never leave soil uncovered,” Paco repeats.
At about 10 am, Vicky and Camila brought a large group of youngsters and their teachers. Part of what these dedicated women do is to organize these visits for children to learn in the Bioparque. I enjoyed seeing how Paco so easily engaged the kids, asking them which animals they enjoyed feeding: “Pajaros!” (birds) “Perros!” (dogs) “Gatos!” (cats), they called out enthusiastically. Crouching down to be at eye level with the youngest kids, Paco then asked, with his beautiful smile, what about butterflies? Caterpillars? Worms? Ants? “Si o no?” “Siii!” they chorused. He then taught them how when we plant, it’s not only for our own food and fiber, but to support these other life forms. And the importance of building up the soil.