The Vegetable Garden and Nursery at Chalet Fontana grows plants along with beneficial microorganisms that work together to establish a particular type of symbiosis known as “mycorrhiza”, thus making it an actual bioactive vegetable garden/nursery.

In 2015, the University of Pisa conducted a study on tomato plants in its laboratories, showing that the fruits produced by mycorrhized plants (i.e. those living in association with beneficial symbiotic microorganisms) contain higher concentrations of lycopene (+18.5%), calcium (+15%), potassium (+11%), phosphorus (+60%) and zinc (+28%) than traditionally-produced tomatoes.

Furthermore, with the bioactive method, mycorrhized plants will not be planted in the ground, with the consequent risk of contamination with the surrounding land, but rather in crates or on raised ground, containing volcanic earth and organic compounds that will guarantee the maintenance of the balance between roots and microorganisms, as well as enabling authentic permaculture cultivation.

To take advantage of this space, Chalet Fontana organises numerous meetings, seminars, agri-aperitifs and tastings in order to explain and promote the bioactive method.