Here's what we're up to:
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POLYCULTURE RESEARCH

Having experimented with polycultures for almost a decade now with some very encouraging results.  We are curious to learn how this approach to cultivating crops compares to conventional methods, specifically in terms of time and energy expenditure and in the yields harvested. Surprisingly, little data exists for polycultures, so we've started to gather our own.
We are currently working on building data sets to present along with our models that aim to provide healthy nutritious food while promoting increased biological diversity in the growing environment. 

For an overview of our research so far click here.
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If you would like to take part in our study click here.

LAND STEWARDSHIP

Plots currently under our stewardship

Currently we have approximately 4.5 hectares of land protected from the encroaching monotony of industrial farming in the area. The strategic purchasing of scattered plots throughout the area means that effectively 53.5 ha are off limits and the wonderful diversity of wild flora and fauna coupled with an extraordinary quantity of heritage fruit and nut trees on some of these plots are much more likely to survive for future generations to enjoy.
Revenue from bio-nursery sales, our market gardens and educational courses sustain our project and help us to achieve our goal to protect and promote the regeneration of ecosystems here and beyond. We continue to commit to using all profit from our activities for the purchasing of land with high ecological value currently under threat from intensive agricultural development. The land, once under our stewardship, is managed with respect for its inherent value and vital ecosystem services. ​

POLYCULTURE MARKET GARDEN

FOREST GARDENS

Produce from the Market Garden

Our wildlife friendly market gardens produce a diverse range of fruits and vegetables from April - October, with exciting new additions planned this season!

The ​approach we take to market gardening goes way beyond "organic". We develop biological systems that rely on the native ecology to function as opposed to external manufactured inputs and high energy requirements.  As a result our gardens service not only our needs, but the needs of  other organisms too.

Our crops are excellent quality produced the way nature intended.    

We supply produce to our team, local customers, buyers clubs - trustika.org  and our veg and fruit box customers. 

More here on our Polyculture Market Garden    ​

Our garden designs are based on utilizing the resilience and natural fertility of the temperate forest and demonstrate well the inherent value of any piece of land. 
We are currently working on various sites in and around Shipka, including our 10 year old home forest garden, and a market garden within a maturing forest garden situated outside the village where we are transforming the low-grade agricultural land into a biologically-diverse, productive, and ecologically-sound habitat. 
The gardens are open to the public on Open Days throughout the year, during which we share information,  swap seeds, provide guided tours of both sites and offer our home grown plants.  
We use biological fertilizers produced on site and supported by the local waste stream reduce energy and water needs within our bio - nursery and gardens by irrigating with rainwater and growing in season.

 Browse our Forest Garden Plants 

EDUCATION

Courses and Events

We offer educational courses throughout the year, sharing our experience and practice within the fields of ecological design, forest gardening, agroecology and more. We host a number of open days throughout the year and travel to various festivals and events throughout Bulgaria .
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Our Blog

Take a look at our blog to find out what we are currently involved with. You will also find an archive of articles on specific aspects of ecological design.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Resources

If you are interested in Ecological/Permaculture Garden Design you may find our collection of resources interesting. With links to excellent pages from bug and plant identification keys, fungi and guilds to forest gardening and much more. CLICK HERE TO ENTER.  

Shipka Town

Want to get involved?
We have volunteer and intern positions available throughout the year. There are currently places available on the Polyculture Market Garden Study - email us for more info.