We are now entering the last chapter of the Guide – Celebrate and Power – where you will prepare to keep your mini-forest healthy. The first step of this stage is to learn to take care of the space.
Why?
Congratulations on planting the miniforest! Now that the forest is growing, we need to take good care of the plants, especially during the first two to three years, to ensure that we have a diverse, self-sufficient and resilient mini-forest. For this, there are some tasks to take into account: watering, weeding, pruning, picking up rubbish, creating shelters and interacting with the community.
The first three tasks are intended to promote soil and plant health in the early stages of growth. Cleaning will prevent vandalism and disrespect for the project, giving the community time to take ownership and autonomous care of their mini-forest. The creation of shelters will allow the residence of animals in the mini-forest, fundamental for its success. The last task will reinforce the social ties between people and the project. This period, after planting, is another opportunity to integrate new interesting and interested people!
As?
Watering: Follow the instructions in Task 5, ensuring constant moisture in the soil during the first few months.
Weed: Invest a lot of energy in the first three to four months in controlling grass or other weeds that start to take over the space. Organize weekly events during this period with the community to control these competing plants early.
Prune: During the winter months, prune the plants that are growing towards the path or towards the limits of the space, in order to control and direct their growth.
Pick up trash: Collect trash you find in space weekly. Incorporates a rubbish bin into the space to raise awareness in the community.
Create shelters: The creation of shelters for amphibians or reptiles, or even hotels for insects, will enhance the biodiversity in the mini-forest and promote plant health through the interaction between the different elements.
Interact with the community: Print and place the poster that explains the project in the mini-forest and talk to the different people who come to see it.
Resources:
- Project explanatory poster;
- Structure to place the poster;
- Garbage bag;
- Materials for shelters and hotels (stones, logs, reeds);
- Gloves;
- Pruning shears.
Attention! Weeding is really important. Do regular sessions, remove the invaders by the root and don’t let them spread in the first few months.
This guide was promoted by the ONGD VIDA, within the scope of the project “1Planet4All Empowering youth, living EU values, tackling climate change” with funding from the European Union (DEAR Programme) and Camões, IP Facilitated by 2adapt, in collaboration with Laboratório Vivo para The Sustainability (FCUL), HortaFCUL, Alfredo dos Reis Silveira Secondary School, Army Pupils Institute, URBEM, TOMA