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Our Mission is to develop and oversee programs of education, propagation, and inspiration for transitioning under-utilized land into edible biodiversity. Over time, we expect the Institute’s framework to evolve so that, while community tree planting remains a central pillar, we can also support other forms of community-based biodiversity conservation and food security. 

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About

Ecosystem Solution Institute

The Ecosystem Solution Institute (ESI) is a registered charity that helps communities transform under-utilized land into edible biodiversity conservation spots and areas that strengthen food security and resilience.We combine research and propagation of climate-adapted food plants with step-by-step education and on-the-ground action: community tree sponsorships, cost-shared edible education sites in schools and public spaces, and hands-on support through workshops, work bees, and mobile learning programs. We track results in a living database to improve what we plant and teach over time. Our work is anchored by the Edible Biodiversity Conservation Area and extended through tree sponsorship programs and events where we highlight planting opportunities and inspire stewardship in communities anywhere.

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How to site your Spot

Edible Spot Design Specs

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  • Your planter is 5 ft x 5 ft. The cedar sides are 6" wide, leaving a 4 ft x 4 ft inside dimension. Mark this off into nine squares.

  • See above left for the planting pattern of trees and companion plants.

  • First plant your fruit tree in the middle.

  • Now, follow the pattern.

  • If your street is south of the planter, plant the front square like this: Western Canada Violet, Wild Strawberry, Giant Hyssop. Plant the side square in Millennium Asparagus, making sure to plant the crowns deep. Leave the other square for Wine Cap mushroom inoculant, which we will do.

  • The back row will have Bog Violet, Ostrich Fern, with edible fiddleheads, and German Wine Rhubarb.

  • If your street is north of the planter, then the back row becomes the front row. Everything else is the same.

  • Note: see advice below with more details.  Your tree, asparagus and rhubarb must be planted deep and properly!

How to plant your tree and companion plants (planting protocol)

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  • Each plant has different planting needs and a different sequence of planting.

  • First, you must plant your tree before putting down your mulch.

  • The tree is bare-root, meaning it doesn't come in a pot. Instead, it has a taproot and side roots, often shaped like a hand with many tapering roots radiating out.

  • It is important to dig a hole wider than the longest lateral root and deeper than the longest taproot.

  • Then place your tree into the hole. It can be beneficial to have someone hold the tree by its stem while a second person fills the hole by hand.

  • As you fill the hole, try to layer the lateral roots so they don't all get pressed into the bottom of the hole and forced to hug the taproot.

  • Instead, allow the roots to be layered by lifting them as you crumble loose soil into the hole.

  • Once the hole is filled, hold the stem of the tree and step gently on either side to firm it up and make sure it is anchored.

  • Maybe add some additional soil to make sure there is enough soil to cover the highest roots on the stem.

  • You will notice the tree has a flare just above the last root, the base of its future trunk. This is where the graft is.

  • Fruit trees are often grafted onto a related rootstock that helps them with hardiness and keeps them smaller for easy picking.

  • DON'T break the graft by pushing or pulling too hard on the tree. DON'T bury the graft in the soil. Turn the graft, ideally, away from the south.

  • Once your tree is planted, you can install the rodent guard by wrapping it around the tree stem and pressing it into the soil so it doesn't lift up in the snow, protecting against rodents from girdling and killing the tree.

  • Now you must plant two additional plants before you spread your mulch.

  • Asparagus comes as a crown, the thick succulent roots of the plant. You must plant them 8" deep and keep the small young spear tips pointing up. You can spread the mulch over the surface.

  • It is recommended to cover them with 3" of soil and then continue to cover them with more soil as they grow until you reach the level surface.

  • The rhubarb can also be planted. You will have a chunk of rhubarb root. Plant it 6" deep with the red shoots up, and cover all but the tips.

  • Now you can mulch the entire bed top evenly.

  • The rest of the plants should be planted as per the design by lifting them from their pots gently, pinching the bottom of the soil and root mass to make sure the roots at the bottom are broken and free to grow into the soil.

  • Part the mulch gently in the middle of the chosen area, dig a hole the same size as the soil mass/pot size, and place the plant into the hole. Fill in around it and press down with your hands.

  • Fill in again with extra mulch.

  • Now you can pound your wooden stakes in for tree supports by placing the stake 4" from the tree trunk, ideally on the windiest side, so the tree can pull against the stake when the wind blows.

  • For plums, you will get two stakes, as they tend to lean more.

  • Tie your tree to the trellis stake with your reused drip tape tie.

  • You have planted your tree and companions, mulched your spot, and installed the rodent guards and trellis stakes.

2026 Edible Tree Program 
is Coming Up!

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