As this food forest continues to evolve, the focus has shifted from site preparation and design to one of the most exciting and revealing phases: plant selection and performance. This stage has brought both rewarding harvests and unexpected challenges. Now we have a clearer understanding of what prospers on this site and what struggles to survive.

If you missed the first and second parts of this story, click below:

Part 1: From Wasteland to Wonderland: A Food Forest Journey PART 1 – UF/IFAS Extension Broward County

Part 2: From Wasteland to Wonderland: A Food Forest Journey PART 2 – UF/IFAS Extension Broward County

Plant Selection and Success

One of the most satisfying goals so far has been the first round of harvests. Bananas have successfully established and produced, marking a major step toward creating a sizable canopy cover. The herb spiral garden has also proven to be a reliable and consistent source of fresh herbs. It demonstrates how a thoughtful design can maximize both space and function. Wild fennel seems to prefer the area to other plants. In the vegetable square, corn has emerged as a standout success. It’s growing strong and resilient despite environmental pressures.

Ancestral Sustainable Horticulture

Originally, this square was designed to replicate the traditional “Three Sisters” planting method with corn, beans, and squash, a system rooted in companion planting and ecological balance that I observed as a common practice among the peasants in the Mayan region of the Yucatan Peninsula. The Three Sisters Method is an ancestral Indigenous planting system where corn, beans, and squash are grown together for mutual benefit. Corn provides a natural structure for beans to climb, beans fix nitrogen in the soil to support growth, and squash spreads along the ground, helping retain moisture and suppress weeds.

In our Food Forest, while the corn thrived and fulfilled its role structurally, the beans and squash never had the opportunity to establish themselves. Iguana pressure quickly eliminated them before they could develop, preventing the system from functioning as intended. This was an early and important lesson: even the most time-tested agricultural practices must be adapted to local ecological realities.

The plant selection for this food forest is a blend of tropical fruit trees, functional edibles, and native species, many sourced from local community initiatives, such as Water Matters Day, one of the most attended events in Broward County. Water Conservation Water Matters

These events have played a valuable role in making diverse plants and trees accessible, while also encouraging the use of species well-suited to South Florida conditions.

Fruit trees and more…

Among the installed fruit trees, several stand out for both their uniqueness and potential productivity. Among the elements with the greatest visual impact in the Food Forest, the Cashew Tree (Anacardium occidentale) stands out. The Malabar chestnut (Pachira glabra) surely adds diversity to the system with its edible seeds and adaptability. Mamey (Pouteria sapota), a fundamental tropical fruit tree, has been planted with long-term productivity in mind, while Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora) offers a highly rewarding addition, known for its distinctive fruiting characteristic along the trunk. The Coffee (Coffea arabica) adds a unique cultural interest.

Citrus has also been incorporated, including the Sugar Belle (Citrus reticulata var. Sugar Belle) variety developed by the University of Florida, along with a traditional lemon tree. These selections aim to balance disease tolerance with reliable fruit production. Pineapples (Ananas comosus) and Aloe Vera have been strategically placed as a low-growing, space-efficient crop, while dwarf mango trees contribute to the mid-canopy layer without overwhelming the system.

Native Plants

Equally important to the food-producing species is the integration of native and beneficial plants. Coonties (Zamia integrifolia) have been added not only for their resilience but also for their ecological role as host plants for native butterflies. Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) and Guinea hen weed (Petiveria alliacea), and Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa) contribute to biodiversity and soil health, while lemon verbena and native salvia enhance both pollinator attraction and aromatic diversity. Along with the already installed Fiddlewood tree (Citharexylum spinosum), Scorpion tail (Heliotropium angiospermum), and other native species further support wildlife, reinforcing the idea that a food forest is not just about production, but about creating a balanced ecosystem.

Setbacks

However, not all plantings have been successful, and much of the struggle can be traced to a persistent, often underestimated challenge: iguanas. These herbivores have shown a clear preference for tender leaves, often targeting newly installed plants before they have a chance to establish themselves. Their feeding habits have resulted in repeated losses. They particularly feed on softer leaves like beans and squash. We need a constant adaptation of planting strategies.

Some plants have demonstrated a natural recovery, while others have proven too vulnerable without additional protection. As a result, future plantings will likely incorporate more resilient species, physical barriers, or alternative placement strategies.

Despite these setbacks, the food forest’s overall trajectory remains positive. Each success and failure provides valuable insight, shaping a more informed and resilient system. The combination of productive crops, native plants, and adaptive management is gradually transforming the space into a functional and dynamic landscape.

If you want to have more insights about other topics and events, check out our Newsletter: UF/IFAS Broward County

The Final Challenge

Creating a Food Forest is a great lesson for anyone who wants to get close to nature while also building food self-sufficiency. However, as fulfilling as completing a project is, maintaining it is always a challenge.

As this journey continues, one factor stands out as both a challenge and an opportunity for deeper understanding: dealing with iguanas in the food forest. The final chapter (Part 4) of this series will focus specifically on this topic. We will explore what iguanas prefer, what they avoid, and how that knowledge can be used to design more resilient and productive systems moving forward.

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