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, the objective of which is to eventually make the most of the apple juice and to inspire professional vocations.

Graines de Paysans – The Market Gardening Test Site

An agricultural test site (ATS), i.e., 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 get started 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 promotes 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 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.

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 drawbacks in terms of water competition (tree roots vs. vegetables), and 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.