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bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 5:33 pm Post subject: Permaculture
I'd like to do a permaculture garden. Has anyone done this? Did you do it yourself or did you go on a course? Does it work better than conventional growing? Thanks for any replies

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 5:46 pm Post subject:

I'm building up a forest garden in miniature, my main info sources are/were various blogs and Martin Crawford's book - though he is UK based so probably less relevant to you. Extra titbits by Paul Stamets (the role of fungi and mycelia) and hugelkultur.
The aspect I'm aiming for is essentially enough perennial planting to feed myself, my rabbits, and dog a good proportion of our needs, whilst being wildlife friendly/low maintenance. As I wait for perennials to grow, I'm growing standard and odd annuals in the gaps.
This came about mainly because I couldn't see how annual digging wouldn't harm the soil - and because I'm newish to the whole veg-growing thing I haven't had the "rules" drilled in to me yet

To be honest I find the broader permaculture movement a bit....woo. I glaze over at the sight of flower diagrams about nurturing spirits and all that.

bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 5:58 pm Post subject:

Im UK too

That sounds good. I'll take a look. Is much growing now? Theres snow where i am! I know what you mean about the spiritual side. I'd just like to try and help nature and not have to do too much work (i know, lazy!) and get food from it. Thats what iv gathered permaculture does. Gotta lot of clearing to do before i can grow stuff though! Sometimes it sounds a bit technical and puts me off, but i think ill just try and create my own design that works. Trial and error i suppose. The fungi thing is interesting. The more i look into it, the more i realise how it all works and has a purpose. Even the tiniest fungi is needed!

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 6:15 pm Post subject:
Nothing growing as such, some broccoli is standing, and all the fruit bushes etc are still there. Have a look at https://www.agroforestry.co.uk/forgndg.html ? How big is your area of land? Sorry, thought you were US based after your posts on stoves and water collecting

baldybloke

Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 1388
Location: Wiltshire

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 7:43 pm Post subject:
Check out the Permaculture Association website and you might find a local Introduction to Permaculture course. These are weekend only and will give you a good idea. Aranya's book on Permaculture design is a pretty good starting point as well.

Piggyphile

Joined: 02 Apr 2009
Posts: 891
Location: Galicia

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 8:46 pm Post subject:
I did one of Martin Crawfords weekend forest gardening courses and am now trying to develop a forest garden. Also have a veggie patch as well using no dig and mulching methods. I need to put more work hours in though. Also did a sustainable smallholding course with these people https://www.lowimpact.org/courses.htm run by Simon Fairlie, realy good

oldish chris

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 4148
Location: Comfortably Wet Southport

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 8:57 pm Post subject:
Permaculture is becoming a wide church with many approaches. Your particular approach will depend on your own circumstances. I have found the Permie Mag to be inspirational ( https://www.permaculture.co.uk/ ), I recommend it. My back garden is more "informed by permaculture".

bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 10:19 pm Post subject:

NorthernMonkeyGirl wrote:

Nothing growing as such, some broccoli is standing, and all the fruit bushes etc are still there.

Have a look at https://www.agroforestry.co.uk/forgndg.html ?

How big is your area of land?

Sorry, thought you were US based after your posts on stoves and water collecting

That sounds pretty much like permaculture without the spirit stuff

its probably about quarter of an acre i think.

bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 10:22 pm Post subject:

baldybloke wrote:

Check out the Permaculture Association website and you might find a local Introduction to Permaculture course. These are weekend only and will give you a good idea. Aranya's book on Permaculture design is a pretty good starting point as well.

I was thinking of getting that book actually. Yeah a weekend course would be good, just cant afford a whole week. Would you say its necessary to go on a course though?

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 10:24 pm Post subject:
I haven't been on a course, but I enjoy reading around and trying things out, plus I only have a garden to play with. In a bigger, permanent area I might be inclined to do a proper design course, it's better to put your trees in the right place as they're pretty permanent!

bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 10:25 pm Post subject:

Piggyphile wrote:

I did one of Martin Crawfords weekend forest gardening courses and am now trying to develop a forest garden. Also have a veggie patch as well using no dig and mulching methods. I need to put more work hours in though. Also did a sustainable smallholding course with these people https://www.lowimpact.org/courses.htm run by Simon Fairlie, realy good

Once you get it going will it need much work. Or are you gonna have to see

bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 10:31 pm Post subject:
Yeah, im inclined to just try and do it and look up as much as i can. I tend to get put off if its piled on at once and i think i cant do it. Iv got a bad habit of that! Maybe a short course would be good though. Its interesting hearing what others are doing though

bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 10:33 pm Post subject:

oldish chris wrote:

Permaculture is becoming a wide church with many approaches. Your particular approach will depend on your own circumstances. I have found the Permie Mag to be inspirational ( https://www.permaculture.co.uk/ ), I recommend it.

My back garden is more "informed by permaculture".

Do you find the permaculture method has helped? What difference have you found from conventional growing

baldybloke

Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 1388
Location: Wiltshire

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 12:48 am Post subject:

bowtop wrote:

baldybloke wrote:

I was thinking of getting that book actually. Yeah a weekend course would be good, just cant afford a whole week. Would you say its necessary to go on a course though?

I did an introduction course a few years back and really enjoyed it and it gave me a lot of inspiration. Just haven't followed it up with a PDC. Lack of time and dosh.

Piggyphile

Joined: 02 Apr 2009
Posts: 891
Location: Galicia

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 9:00 am Post subject:
I hope the forest garden will be low maintainance. Martin reckons he does a couple of days a month maintainance mostly with garden shears trimming back some of the more aggressive plants and if he weeds, he drops the plant on the ground so it rots but minimal weeding. I shall have to wait and see. His forest gardening and perennial plants books are very good.

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