A wide variety of plants, trees and flowers are maintained at every Mariposa site. In the fertile soil of La Reserva, we cultivate vegetables, (herbs, leafy greens, root vegetables….) fruits, (oranges, mandarins, coconuts…) and medicinal plants (aloe, oregano, anise…) These organic gardens are a very popular choice for Volunteer work!
The vast majority of ground crops, fruit trees and even flower gardens here are intensively sprayed with chemicals, including Round Up. Though we cannot remain 100% pesticide free as we are affected by the practices our neighbours, we do our very best! We also employ the following strategies to maintain our gardens as poison free but productive as possible.
- Have a worm project which produces very high quality compost
- Use other forms of compost including mixtures of: rice husks, chicken poo, organic matter such as dead leaves and garden prunings, horse manure etc.
- Water by hand….we have tried the hole in the hosepipe method but plants change position and it is in general quite wasteful. Watering by hand ensures more accuracy and has the added benefit of maintaining employment.
- In La Mariposa we use grey water from showers to water flowers
- In the wet season we generally have too much rain so we use netting to protect the plants, especially the young ones.
- We also use a very varied planting system and companion planting so there may be flowers next to a lettuce patch….helps to encourage pollinators and prevent spread of diseases
Luis and Donal preparing compost 
Ismael inspecting a granadilla
Some of our produce which will end up on your plate! 
Coffee drying in the sun
As well as veggies we also produce our own red beans and some of our own coffee and eggs!
One magnificent rooster! 
Free range eggs 
Picking coffee
