A number of year ago, we planted estacas of Mata Raton, Glirecidia sepium, a tree adapted to our environment, that is resistant to, and responds well to pruning. It is a nitrogen fixing tree, meaning that it has root nodules on its roots that are symbiotic, and enable the plant to capture nitrogen from the atmosphere, turning it into protein in the plant.  The leaves and branches of mata raton have high amounts of nitrogen, which are then harvested from the plants and used as a green fertilizer, by letting it break down in situ, providing plants with nitrogen directly.

During our last class in the garden, we pruned back three mata raton trees. This with the aim to providing enough green manure material for beds in the greenhouse and in the terrace as we prepare to plant our pumpkins for our October harvest!