Tools & Plants Used

Majority of Maureen’s trees and plants had been planted by seed. Those that didn’t start as seeds, she planted from graft. The grafting process involves joining together the scion (top part of the graft) and the rootstock (at the trunk forming the root system) to inosculate (grow together). This process ensures an exact replica of the parent tree along with faster growth and fruit production.
She began planting about 12 years prior to my visit and her young trees were just starting to produce. The slow production and ripening process of the fruit trees is what really changed my perspective on what it actually takes to grow and produce food. Living in the city, we simply go to the grocery store and buy our food; even when we visit local farmers markets or farms, we see fully developed plants that have been producing for years. However, when you witness how long it takes to start from nothing and realize that food production and plant growth takes such a long amount of time, you realize how important living sustainably is. Food waste becomes the greatest sin when you know how long it took to grow, ripen, and harvest.
Some of the edible plants/fruit trees (specifically what I learned the most about/ate) on Maureen’s property included but were not limited to: pomegranates, limes, cortisol, mango, cinnamon, figs, grapes, ice cream beans, dates (date palms), papaya, guanabana, moringa, carambola (Star Fruit), avocado, pineapples, and neem.
Below are images of each tree and tool used in focus. By clicking on each image you can read a short description of it's growth, yield, and a link to an explanation of it's health benefits.