50 gram package of Tagasaste seeds
(contains approximately 1000 seeds)
These Tagasaste seeds are from selected trees that have performed specifically well within our agroforestry systems and that have reacted well to the seasonal pruning we have subjected them too. The seeds that are for sale are hand picked, cleaned, and dried. 
 
Tagasaste (Citisus proliferus)
Tagasaste is a fast growing ever green tree shrub in the family of leguminous/nitrogen fixing plants (Fabaceae) that originates on the canarian islands. It has received a lot of attention as being a promising tree for tree fodder systems, as well as for soil improvement strategies since it produces and outstanding amount of organic material, mobilizes a series of nutrients, and posses a very interesting root system. Within the Syntropic farming comunity in the mediterranean region it has become recognized as one of the key early succesional plants. It has a number of exceptional benefits such as:
1. Drought tolerance
2. Fast growing
3. Possible to prune 2-3x a year
4. Evergreen foliage a microclimate that protects nearby plants from frost
5. Soil improvement factors
 
Growing conditions
Tagasaste needs well draining soils and does not do well in water logged soils. Young plants are frost sensitive and therefore it is recomended to plant in February-March once the risk of severe frost has passed. Plants that are already 50cm+ in size can also be succesfully planted in October, when they will benefit from the fall rains, and if given good growing conditions will be big enough to handle frost by the time it comes. Fall plantings of tagasaste can be accomanied with a double row of Fava beans to create a better protection against frost. 
 
Pruning Tagasaste
In our experience Tagasaste responds best to the following pruning paradigm. If you want your tagasaste trees to remain vigorous all year around, it is best to prune always in a way that doesn't allow the trees to flower (flowering occurs in late january - february). This is the best schedule for pruning in our experience (timings may vary in different regions):
October - November: Heavy apical pruning (this is the most important and ideal moment to prune)
February - March: Medium to heavy pruning (depending on response from previous pruning)
April - June: Light pruning to thin out branches that resprouted from previous prunings
 
 
Germinating instructions:
1. Bring a pan abundantly filled with water to a rolling boil
2. ⁠Place seeds in boiling water and continue to boil for 2-3 minutes
3. ⁠Turn off flame and leave seeds in hot water and let cool off for 24h
4. ⁠Place seeds (still inside same water) in the refrigerator for 3 days
5. ⁠The seeds should all be swollen now and changed from black to green color, increasing 200-300% in size 
6. ⁠The seeds are now ready to sow. Since germination can be irregular we recomend placing 3-5 seeds per pot. 
7. ⁠Maintain moist but not wet until seeds sprout. They can handle better dry then too wet conditions during this stage
8. ⁠Once seeds start growing slowly start increasing the amount of irrigation water
 
Season for nursery seeding
The seeds prefer warm temperatures for germination and therfor the months of June, July, and August are ideal. Seeding in June will garuantee that your trees are big enough by the time you want to plant them in October or February-March
 
Season for direct seeding
The ideal season for directly seeding tagasaste into the field is March