The Milpa Cycle

STAGE 1

From the Forest to the Milpa

In the first stage of the milpa, a piece of forest is cleared of trees, and then burned to prepare for planting. For the first two to three years the Mesoamerican trilogy of maize, beans, and squash are cultivated in the full sun. Amidst this low canopy of maize is a dynamic ecology of herbs, tubers, and other plants that we might consider weeds, but are actually cultivated by the forest gardener to detract pests from the main crops, enhance the soil with nutrients, and help maintain moisture in the ground. This system provides for many household needs including:

sustenance
spices
medicine
construction materials
firewood

intermingled with the maize, beans, and squash.

STAGE 2

From the Milpa to the Forest Garden

Small fruit trees in a Stage 2 garden In the second stage, the milpa evolves into the forest garden. Quick-yielding fruit trees, like plantain, banana, and papaya, are planted and begin to produce within a year. Fruit trees that need more time to produce, such as avocado, mango, citrus, allspice, guava, cherimoya, and ramón and others are planted amidst the maize, beans, and squash to bear fruit in five years.

STAGE 3

From the Forest Garden to the Forest

Stage 3 garden showing a canopy of fruit trees
In the third stage, the fruit trees mature and begin to produce. The fruit trees provide a new canopy, blocking the sun and inhibiting undergrowth. Maize, beans, and squash are no longer viable in the shade. Amidst the fruit tree canopy, hardwoods, such as cedar and mahogany, are planted to mature over the next decades.

STAGE 4

Forest Regeneration

The forest regenerated in the fourth stage of the milpa
In stage four of the milpa cycle; the forest garden is transformed into a hardwood forest. The hardwoods rise above the fruit trees to create a high canopy. The milpa has now regenerated to look much like it did before the forest gardener cleared and burned it two decades earlier. It is now a managed forest with little to no undergrowth. The forest gardener will let the hardwood trees grow and mature. He or she can harvest the trees for personal use or sell them when they again clear, burn, and plant the field. The cycle of the milpa begins again.