Can Terra
Food Forest
This food forest is designed as a full Successional Agroforestry System, where trees, shrubs, herbs and groundcovers grow in coordinated layers. Following the natural succession model shown in the design document , the system begins with fast-growing pioneer species, such as sunflowers, tithonia, ricinus and boldo, that build organic matter, attract biodiversity and prepare the soil. In the next years, medium and high-strata trees gradually take over: papaya, leucaena, eucalyptus, paulownia, melia and other support species create shade, structure and biomass, allowing the productive fruit trees to establish.
Across nine long tree lines spaced at 2.5 metres , the food forest is planted intentionally at different heights: emergent, medium and low layers overlap to mimic a natural forest canopy. Productive species, such as mango, avocado, citrus, pomegranate, apricot, fig, mulberry and plum, grow alongside perennials like rosemary, asparagus, lentisk, mirto and zarzamora, creating a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem.
By working with succession and natural stratification, the food forest regenerates the soil, manages water efficiently, and provides long-term abundance for self-consumption while blending harmoniously into the landscape.
explained
What is a food forest?
A food forest is a living ecosystem designed to grow food the way nature does, through layers, diversity, and cooperation. It is not a plantation, but a forest of life: fruit trees, shrubs, vines, herbs, vegetables and groundcovers all growing together in balance. Each plant has a role, some provide shade, others fix nitrogen, attract pollinators or build soil. Together, they create a system that produces food while regenerating the land.
The concept comes from permaculture and agroforestry, combining agriculture with the structure of a natural forest. Instead of monocultures and fertilizers, a food forest mimics nature’s own intelligence, one where every leaf, root and insect contributes to a cycle of fertility and growth.
Alberto
Co Founder Gardens of Ibiza
Introducing
The Food Forest
This food forest follows a full successional agroforestry design, where fast-growing pioneers prepare the soil for fruit trees like mango, avocado, citrus and fig. Across nine layered tree lines, the system regenerates the land naturally while producing long-term abundance.
maintenance & harvest
Food basket
As the food forest matures through its natural successional layers, it produces a steady rhythm of fruit, herbs and perennial crops throughout the year. During our maintenance visits, we take care of the harvesting, selecting ripe, seasonal produce directly from the different strata of the system.
All harvests are collected with care and delivered to your home, either weekly or monthly, depending on your preference. This way, you enjoy the full abundance of your food forest without any effort, receiving fresh, regenerative and chemical-free produce grown on your own land.
Rooted in the land
Water needed
A syntropic food forest is designed to reduce water consumption from the very beginning. By using dense planting, mulch, and fast-growing pioneer species, the system quickly creates shade, builds organic matter, and retains soil moisture, significantly lowering irrigation needs over time. In the first years, young trees may require occasional drip irrigation to establish their roots, but as the canopy closes and the soil becomes richer, the water demand drops dramatically.
Whenever possible, natural water sources are integrated into the design. A small pond or water basin can serve as a passive reservoir, slowly releasing moisture into the surrounding soil and supporting biodiversity. In some cases, this can partially or fully replace traditional irrigation, allowing the food forest to function as a low-water, climate-resilient ecosystem that thrives through natural cycles.
Let’s grow something that lasts
Design a garden that’s good for you and for Ibiza. By working with us, you support the Permaculture Association of the Pityusic Islands and help grow the regenerative movement on the island.