I went to a meeting at a local bakery for Alice's Garden (part of JPNA)

Alice's Garden

Permaculture style

I went to a meeting at local bakery for Alice's Garden (part of JPNA). 

Ann talked to us about permaculture, you might be asking “What is permaculture?” ”It is an agricultural system that mimics a natural ecology.  Bill Mollison an Australian field biologist is said to be the “Father of permaculture”.

  Through the birth of the green movement in the 70’s pesticides started to take over and poor farmers could not compete. The average field needs 10 times more water to dissolve pesticides then a sustainable garden system/designs  or permaculture. 

Protecting the soil is key.

The 3 sister method for planting is a good way to start and uses corn, beens and squash. Plant corn and once it sprouts plant pole beans and then they can use the corn as its stock . By making a list of your plants you can plant them in groups so that two or more can complement each other. Curved planting rows makes micro climates. Something good to know is that planting squash acts as a natural ground cover. Note: You need to keep the ground covered  

A Plant guild Example.

Apple tree- Plant your fruit tree in the center. Around the drip line plant bulbs like daffodils chives. You do not want the grass to compete so arrange a  barrier around the drip line of the tree. Doing so you can then they attract pollinators for your fruit. Inside this ring plant comfrey a plant that grows quickly and can be cut back and used as a natural mulch, it is a nitro fixing plant. When leaves decompose it feeds the micro organisms in the soil. 

trellis back and run this plan .. 

Plant dill and fennel in the center circle and/or other herbs, creating different textures. The sents can be  deterring and attracting for different pollinators. 

Chickerr and Dandy lion have deep penetrating roots. In a system like this they are controlled. Once they pulled up enough nutrients you can lift them and the guild will take care of its self. Multi function and self sustaining. White clover is great also. Permaculture is a design science. Always leave the area better then you found it. 

With your own garden, observation is key, working and cooperating with nature is very important. Research about your area/garden then brainstorm to see what you can plant in your yard. Two methods to try and make it work is first zoning. Looking at the way the sun hits, is zone zero is your home. Think about what you need closest to your home. Fruit? Herbs? Hanging tomato? With in thirty to forty feet! 

There  are about 5 different zones more or less the boundaries are permeable, they change based on soil. Its common sense type of stuff. Zone 2 -fruit trees . Zone 3- Nut trees (by a tool shed).

 Sectors consist of soil, wind, wildlife and views, herbs in a sunny spot! 

Note: Gaias Garden is a good book for  getting started.

  Using free resources like sun, wind and plants to block the wind. Leaving the amount of soil open. No tilling is involved, healthy soil should never be disturbed. If you do, its a short term fix. The bugs, worms and  micro organisms are creating its own little ecosystem, further more  micro organisms are keeping the soil in good shape.

White clover - is a nitrogen fixing plant and serves as living mulch, just scatter the seeds and let it take over. When you are ready to plant, cut back the white clover and make some room for your desired seeds. The white clover won’t compete too aggressively. 

Something really interesting is if you have soil that is really tuff just plant a bunch of Sunflowers, they will break up the hard soil because they root deep into the earth .

Venues is an enthusiast who works with Alice's Garden, she used this same method to break up some tuff soil there and used  many of the technics we have talked about. 

Permaculture is using traditional beliefs with well thought out designs  and always having a back up plan. Permaculture also offers natural ways of filtering water. You can do this by recycling your own rainfall and then filtering your water. The keyhole garden design is elaborate and beautiful. Reeds are great filtrations.

To see Permaculture in action check out Mr. Geoff and his teem  Greening The Desert of Israel