We integrate the principles of permaculture to create an environment in harmony with nature

About permaculture

Dragon's garden embraces the principles of permaculture, a holistic and sustainable approach to designing systems in harmony with nature. By integrating permaculture concepts into our facility, we seek to create a diverse and resilient ecosystem. Step by step we practice the principles of careful observation, resource conservation, cooperation with nature and regeneration, from food production to renewable energy systems. Through permaculture we want to create a environment where humans and nature coexist in harmony, allowing our visitors to live an authentic and lasting experience in total immersion with nature.

"Dragon's Fruit" or Pitaya is a unique and exotic fruit that captures the imagination with its vibrant appearance and enticing flavor. Native to Central and South America, dragon’s fruit we grow here has a pink skin, adorned with scales reminiscent of a dragon's hide, adds to its intrigue. Dragon's Fruit is not only visually appealing, but it also offers a refreshing taste, often described as a combination of kiwi and pear with subtle tropical notes. Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and essential nutrients, Dragon's Fruit is a delicious treat and a healthy choice you can enjoy in our restaurant.

Passion fruit Also known as Maracuja or calala is a tropical fruit known for its unique flavor. With its purple or yellow skin and jelly-like interior filled with edible seeds, it is a fruit that stands out. The flavor of passion fruit is tangy, sweet, and slightly tart, offering a delightful tropical experience for the taste buds. Beyond this, passion fruit is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a nutritious choice. In season we are happy to include passion fruit from our garden to our restaurant recipes.

Our Garden

Step into our permaculture garden and immerse yourself in a flourishing paradise where sustainability and abundance thrive. With 580 dragon fruit trees, 50 papayas trees, 60 banana trees, , 60 orange trees, and 15 mango trees, our diverse orchard offers a cornucopia of flavors and vibrant colors.

Stroll along the "pick and eat" paths, where you can pluck in season fruits directly from the trees such as bananas, mulberries or surinan cherries. At our restaurant, indulge in the succulent sweetness of dragon fruits, the tropical delight of papayas, and the refreshing tang of oranges. The fragrance of mangoes fills the air, enticing you to savor their luscious flesh.

At dragon’s garden we grow tumeric, ginger and chaya among others. We also have a yucca plantation, a staple crop known for its versatility and resilience. These hardy plants not only provide nourishing tubers but also serve as natural windbreaks, promoting a harmonious microclimate within the garden.

Papaya is loved for its vibrant color, sweet flavor, and numerous health benefits. The fruit has a unique, soft and juicy orange flesh inside. It is rich in vitamins C and A, as well as dietary fiber and antioxidants. It is also known for its digestive properties and potential anti-inflammatory benefits. The taste of papaya is often described as a combination of mango and melon, with a hint of citrus. It is commonly enjoyed fresh, either on its own or added to fruit salads and smoothies. We can also use green papaya in different salad. Papaya is also used in various culinary preparations, such as salsas,
desserts, and even as a meat tenderizer due to its natural enzyme called papain.

How we implement permaculture

In our garden, we embrace permaculture principles to create a place that exists in perfect harmony with nature. We design our garden to mimic natural ecosystems, promoting biodiversity and maximizing resource efficiency. By incorporating organic gardening techniques, we cultivate a diverse array of edible and medicinal plants. We utilize companion planting to enhance nutrient cycling and pest control, eliminate the need for synthetic chemicals. Water management techniques, such as rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation, mulching, minimize waste and ensure optimal hydration for our plants. We prioritize soil health through composting and mulching, promoting a rich and thriving ecosystem. Through these practices, we create a regenerative and sustainable garden that not only provides nourishment but also serves as a sanctuary for both flora and fauna.

At dragon’s garden we divert organic materials, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, dry toilets materials and plant matter, from landfills, reducing methane emissions and promoting a circular economy. Through the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, heat is generated, accelerating the decomposition process. Compost serves as a valuable soil conditioner, enriching soil structure and fertility while improving water retention and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. It promotes beneficial microbial activity, enhances plant growth, and mitigates soil erosion. Composting is a simple yet powerful way to close the nutrient cycle and cultivate healthy, resilient ecosystems. Composting is a natural and sustainable process that transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Intercropping, or companionship, is an agricultural practice that involves growing different plants together to take advantage of their beneficial interactions. At dragon's garden we associate hibiscus, orange trees, banana trees and coffee. There are many others interesting combinations. Hibiscus can be planted alongside orange trees to provide protection against common pests like ants, while citrus can provide light filtered shade beneficial to hibiscus and coffee. Banana trees provide protection from strong winds, retain moisture for orange tree roots, and provide additional nutrients to the soil. So, by combining these plants strategically, one can create a garden where each plant supports each other and promotes optimal health and productivity.

Biological control is an ecological method of managing crop pests, which relies on the use of living organisms to control pest populations. At Dragon’s garden we are trying to develop the use of Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma which are commonly used biological control agents.

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus that infects insect pests such as aphids, whiteflies and caterpillars. Trichoderma spp. is a genus of beneficial fungi that has the ability to prevent and combat pathogenic fungal infections by degrading cell walls of pathogenic fungi, thereby limiting their growth and ability to infect plants.

These biological control agents offer a sustainable and effective alternative for agriculture that is more respectful of the ecosystem. thus protecting the environment, human health and biodiversity.

Making the world a better place through the care of our environment

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