Potential Species Mapping. RESEARCH & CONCEPT.

In order to understand which plants, crops and trees to plant in the Bosco Mangericcio, we undertook a research study task into existing food forests local to the area, in Milan and Northern Italy. We looked at all seven levels of food forest and selected a number of examples that are native to or grow well within the climate and conditions of the site and location in low level suburban area in Northern Italy.

The larger and high tree cover are made up from mostly Maple, Cherry Trees, Larger Apple trees, Dog rose, Hazelnuts, Blackthorn, Dogwoods, Elders and Hawthorns, Mulberry, Medlar, Linden, Oak and Ash. The canopy is a mixture of edible and non edible trees which act as a border and barrier into the site and mediate noise, sunlight and act as carbon sequesters.

Herbaceous Plants

Perennial vegetables such as artichokes, annual and biennial plants such as Broad beans, Runner beans, Chickpeas, Peas, Swiss chard, Sunflowers, Cabbage, Asparagus, Herbs such as Sage, Mint, Oregano, Basil, Lemon grass, Tarragon. Borage, Valerian, Alliaria, Balsamita.

Ground Cover

To increase greenery and cover plants with large spread are used such as Mint, Lemon Balm, Strawberries, Valerian, Yarrow, Wormwood, Borage and Oregano, Clover, Mallow.

Low Level Trees

Smaller and shorter trees, often flower and fruit bearing make up the second layer of trees. Examples include Plum, Pomegranate, Fig. Apricot, Plum Blossom, Apple, Pear, Peach, Peach Blossom, Crabappple, Small Cherry varieties

Below ground crops

Bulb or root vegetables and plants, which grow under ground and tend to be annual or biennial. Examples include Garlic, Onions, Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, Horseradish, Chicory, Valerina, Disorea batata, Crocus, Burdock. Also mushrooms and underground mycelia, hyphae and mycorihizae play a huge role in the health of the entire ecosystem, even if they are not edible themselves.

Shrubs

A mixture of berry and flowering shrubs including Raspberries, Blackberries, Currants, Gooseberries, Josta, Blueberries, Black currants, Elderberries and Elderflower, Buckthorn, Goji, Goumi, Aronia, Sea Buckthorn.

Climbing plants

A mix of high and low climbing plants which require tall trellis, obelsik stands or vertical walls to grow against or with the aid of. Examples are Kiwi, Hops, Pumpkins and Squash, Dioscorea Batata, Vines such as grapes, Climbing beans, Broad Beans, Runner Beans.

Precedents Studies - Food Forests.

Size Location Climate

Governance Structure

Precedents Studies - Food Forests.

5700sqm Palma Italy

Cfa Sub-tropical climate Community Initiative

The pilot project of the community initiative was created as an edible garden for local people to enjoy access to green space and the ability to grow and harvest their own food.

It is designed to mimic an immature forest without larger trees providing a closed canopy so smaller trees, bushes and plants can thrive.

The project is designed as a social experiment to understand the community responsibility, in giving their time and money to the forest and taking fresh food in exchange but without taking too much to ensure others in their area have access also. The forest is free and open to anyone and yet has been maintained for over 20 years without any abuse of the system.

Size Location Climate

Governance Structure

1200sqm Bagno di Romana, Italy

Cfa Sub-tropical Community Initiative

The project was implemented during a Food Forest course in 2013, held by permaculture expert Elena Parmiggiani, with the aim of educating the local community of the benefits of food forestry. The team at La Fattoria dell’Autosufficienza continue to extend the food forest each year, hosting specific food forest courses that alternate between theory and practice.

The long term results of the project conclude that the food forest model in Italy requires very little external intervention, and is able to produce a yearround harvest that is not only successful in terms of food production, but also in terms of community engagement and education.