Boston Food Forest

A quick reminder, we've launched a brand new BFFC page. This will be the place where you can find the latest updates on Boston’s food forest parks, volunteer opportunities, community storytelling, and other ways to get involved. There are tons of exciting opporutnities heading into the fall, so be sure to check it out and follow along there!

👉 Come follow us here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578943121489

We’re excited to grow this community together in our new digital home. See you there!

Boston Food Forest Coalition Nonprofit community land trust transforming urban lots into socially & ecologically thriving food forest gardens 🌱

🌳Understanding Winter Dormancy in Food Forests 🌳

As we advance through January, the cold of winter persists and the food forests have entered a critical phase: dormancy. While everything may seem quiet, this period is full of purpose and resilience. Here's why it matters:

🌬️ How Dormancy Works
Plants slow their growth and conserve energy during winter, protecting themselves from freezing temperatures. Leaves drop, sap flow decreases, and roots focus on staying healthy underground.

🌱 Why It's Important
Dormancy is like rest for plants—it’s a time to recharge. For perennials, this pause is crucial for surviving harsh winters and thriving in spring.

🌿 Strengthening Ecosystems
Dormant food forests still work hard! Roots hold soil in place, fallen leaves decompose into nutrient-rich mulch, and branches and stems provide hibernation and nesting spaces for beneficial insects.

🌸 What’s Ahead in Spring
When temperatures rise come spring, the food forests will shake off their dormancy and burst back to life (or, more accurately, slowly wake up). Buds will swell, flowers will bloom, and the food forests will begin producing again — beginning the cycle anew.

Winter reminds us that rest is essential for growth in the natural world, and for us humans. We invite you to appreciate the quiet beauty of your local food forest this season, and get ready for its vibrant comeback in spring.