At Braga Farms, we believe in the transformative power of urban agriculture. Our vision? To turn Dallas-Fort Worth into a food forest—a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem of community gardens, local food production, and green spaces. This step-by-step guide, inspired by The Gardener’s Art of War, will help you embark on your journey to cultivate sustainable urban spaces that nourish both the land and the community.
Timeline for Creating a Food Forest
2024 November: The Nine Situations
- Planting 🌱: Collect and share seeds with your community.
- Operational 🛠️: Prune dormant perennials to prepare for the next season.
- Sharing 🤝: Adopt a daycare or church garden to establish a seed vault and plan for a spring push.
- Growth Tip 🤔: Reflect on the past gardening year to identify successes and opportunities for improvement.
- Seasonal Tip 🛠️: Clean and store tools for winter.
2024 December: The Attack by Fire & The Use of Spies
- Planting 🌱: Plan new strategies for the upcoming growing season.
- Operational 🛠️: Organize tools, supplies, and spaces for efficiency.
- Sharing 📚: Share gardening books and resources with neighbors to inspire growth.
- Growth Tip 🖥️: Use digital tools to map out your garden’s layout and optimize space.
- Seasonal Tip 🌟: Review your gardening year’s successes and lessons.
2025 January: Laying Plans
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Step 1: Strategize and Prepare
Assess community needs and plot shared garden spaces. Begin composting plans and engage volunteers.- Planting 🌱: Start seeds for winter greens like kale and spinach indoors.
- Operational 🛠️: Test soil for nutrient levels; start a compost system.
- Sharing 🤝: Host a composting workshop or distribute soil testing kits.
- Growth Tip 📒: Plan garden layouts, including companion planting.
- Seasonal Tip ❄️: Use row covers and mulch to protect against frost.
February: Waging War
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Step 2: Prepare for Challenges
Identify potential threats (weather, pests) and implement early prevention measures.- Planting 🌱: Sow hardy crops like lettuce and broccoli indoors.
- Operational 🛠️: Build cold frames or hoop houses.
- Sharing 🤝: Host a seed-swap event to strengthen the gardening community.
- Growth Tip ✂️: Clear old plant debris to avoid pest infestations.
- Seasonal Tip 🌳: Prune fruit trees like figs and jujube.
March: Attack by Stratagem
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Step 3: Early Growth Strategies
Foster collaboration through seed-sharing and rotational planting.- Planting 🌱: Transplant cool-season crops; sow carrots, beets, and radishes.
- Operational 🛠️: Fertilize and mulch for moisture retention.
- Sharing 🤝: Plan a community planting day.
- Growth Tip 💧: Set up rain barrels for water conservation.
- Seasonal Tip 🐛: Inspect for early signs of pests.
April: Tactical Dispositions
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Step 4: Build Infrastructure
Construct raised beds and irrigation systems for better garden management.- Planting 🌱: Plant tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.
- Operational 🛠️: Install drip irrigation systems.
- Sharing 🤝: Conduct a workshop on irrigation techniques.
- Growth Tip 📝: Keep a journal for planting dates and crop growth.
- Seasonal Tip 🌬️: Ensure proper plant spacing for airflow.
May: Energy
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Step 5: Harness Engagement
Host community gardening days and involve schools in workshops.- Planting 🌼: Add marigolds and other companion flowers.
- Operational 🛠️: Maintain and sharpen tools.
- Sharing 🤝: Share seedlings to encourage local gardening.
- Growth Tip 🥬: Harvest early crops like lettuce and spinach.
- Seasonal Tip 🌞: Mulch to conserve soil moisture.
June: Weak Points and Strong
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Step 6: Assess and Adjust
Evaluate soil, crop health, and resource allocation.- Planting 🌱: Plant heat-tolerant crops like okra.
- Operational 🛠️: Monitor soil moisture and adjust as needed.
- Sharing 🤝: Create a garden buddy system for mutual support.
- Growth Tip 🥕: Address nutrient deficiencies with organic fertilizers.
- Seasonal Tip 🌿: Trim branches for better air circulation.
July: Maneuvering
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Step 7: Adapt and Rotate
Maximize soil health with crop rotation and weather-specific planting.- Planting 🎃: Plant fall crops like pumpkins.
- Operational 🛠️: Prune and maintain garden beds.
- Sharing 🤝: Host a garden party to celebrate progress.
- Growth Tip 🌱: Shade delicate plants to prevent heat stress.
- Seasonal Tip 💧: Water early to prevent mildew.
August: Variation in Tactics
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Step 8: Experiment and Innovate
Explore new gardening techniques and share your successes.- Planting 🌱: Sow late-season crops.
- Operational 🛠️: Maintain pest control measures.
- Sharing 🤝: Donate surplus produce to food banks.
- Growth Tip 🌿: Start vertical gardening to maximize space.
- Seasonal Tip 🍂: Reapply mulch to retain moisture.
September: The Army on the March
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Step 9: Expand Your Reach
Share your harvest with local markets and food drives.- Planting 🌱: Plant cover crops to replenish soil nutrients.
- Operational 🛠️: Preserve your harvest for future use.
- Sharing 🤝: Partner with schools for educational programs.
- Growth Tip 🌱: Plan next year’s garden layout.
- Seasonal Tip ♻️: Maintain compost systems for healthy soil.
October: Terrain
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Step 10: Understand Your Environment
Prepare for seasonal changes with adaptive strategies.- Planting 🌱: Plant garlic and shallots.
- Operational 🛠️: Collect leaves for composting.
- Sharing 🤝: Organize a community cleanup day.
- Growth Tip 🌱: Research new plant varieties for the next season.
- Seasonal Tip ❄️: Protect plants from early frost.
2025 November: The Nine Situations
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Step 11: Sharing and Supporting
As the year winds down, November is about fostering community, sharing resources, and preparing for the coming year. It’s a perfect time to build connections and spread the gift of gardening.- Planting 🌱: Collect and store seeds for future planting. Share surplus seeds with local schools, daycare centers, or community groups to inspire more people to grow.
- Operational 🛠️: Prune dormant perennials to ensure healthy regrowth in the spring. Clean and sharpen tools to extend their lifespan and maintain efficiency.
- Sharing 🤝: Adopt a daycare, school, or church for a seed vault project. These institutions are eager to incorporate gardening into their programming, especially as they prepare for spring.
- Growth Tip 🤔: Reflect on the year’s gardening activities. What worked? What didn’t? Document these insights to improve next year’s strategies.
- Seasonal Tip 🛠️: Organize tools and supplies for winter storage. Keep everything clean and dry to prevent rust and damage.
Community Call-to-Action: Host a seed exchange or potluck to bring people together and share your successes. This builds excitement for the new growing season while strengthening community bonds.
2025 December: The Attack by Fire & The Use of Spies
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Step 12: Embrace Technology and Reflect
December is the perfect time to take a step back, review the year, and set goals for the next. Use this quieter season to plan strategies, leverage technology, and lay the groundwork for a successful new year.- Planting 🌱: Develop detailed planting strategies for the upcoming season. Think about crop rotation, companion planting, and introducing new varieties.
- Operational 🛠️: Organize tools, seeds, and supplies for easy access in the spring. Repair or replace broken items to avoid delays during planting season.
- Sharing 📚: Spread knowledge by gifting gardening books or sharing your favorite resources with friends and neighbors. Consider hosting a winter gardening workshop.
- Growth Tip 🖥️: Use digital tools to map your garden and plan layouts for the next year. Software like Google Earth or gardening apps can help optimize space and track growth.
- Seasonal Tip 🌟: Review your year’s accomplishments and challenges. Celebrate your successes and make note of lessons learned to build on your experience.
Winter Inspiration: Start a "vision board" for your garden. Whether physical or digital, it’s a fun way to visualize what you want to achieve in the next growing season.
Start Small, Grow Big
Every space can become a garden, whether it’s a balcony, backyard, or community plot. Start with just 5% more effort this year, and soon, your space will flourish. Let’s turn Dallas-Fort Worth into a food forest—one seed at a time.
Ready to Grow? Explore Our Tools and Resources Here!
