An orchard in Anderlecht

Supported by the non-profit organization Le Début des Haricots as part of the “Graines de Paysans” program, the Anderlecht orchard consists of 26 fruit trees. These are RGF apple varieties, with the long-term goal of promoting apple juice and fostering professional vocations.

Graines de Paysans – The Market Gardening Test Site

An agricultural test site (ATS), meaning a system that allows agricultural activity to be tested in a secure environment, located in Anderlecht: it simultaneously enables 9 projects (market gardening, herbal tea production, and flower production) to launch thanks to individual support (land, legal, financial, technical, commercial) and the provision of land, infrastructure (greenhouses, shelters, etc.), and tools (rotary tiller, seeder, etc.). This location is also a co-working space that encourages experimentation and the sharing of best practices. The test period lasts 2 to 3 years.

An information and training point for individuals wishing to establish themselves as farmers. It also aims to facilitate networking among Brussels-based farmers.

We advocate for diversified agriculture on small areas in urban and peri-urban environments, following a resilient, viable, regenerative, solidarity-based agricultural model and above all, capable of feeding the city.

Royal visit to the “Graines de Paysans” project

ORCHARD SUPPORTED BY

A Standard-Stem Apple Orchard

Here we combine market garden plots of 15 to 30 ares

The market garden orchard is an interesting cultivation system in terms of biomass production. It allows for the production of vegetables, fruits, and even associated small fruits.

It offers several advantages:

It hosts beneficial organisms for cultivation.
It improves soil fertility (leaves and rootlets).
It provides shade, which is beneficial for vegetables during daily heatwaves.
The rows of trees allow for the demarcation of cultivation plots.
It enhances the landscape.

And can be a source of nuisance in terms of water competition (tree roots vs. vegetables), land occupation. The shade from trees on market garden beds (this shade can be beneficial to slugs).

The chosen varieties allow for an extended fruiting period.

An urban orchard with associated market gardening — The fruit trees are surrounded by perimeter hedges.

10 Apple trees – “Radoux” – RGF, very crisp and juicy. Mid-season flowering, it is a good pollinator. Harvest in September (second half of the month)
10 Apple trees – “La Paix” – RGF, very resistant to scab, moderately susceptible to powdery mildew and canker. Harvest in September (second half of the month)
6 Apple trees – “Gueule de Mouton” – Trad RGF, its flowering is mid-early. Harvest in October (second half of the month)

The objective is also experimental for the market gardeners occupying the test site.