Food Garden Priorities | Permaculture Q&A

Back at Zaytuna Farms, Geoff is again answering questions. This week he talks about what to prioritize when starting a permaculture food garden, as well as how to garden in exceptionally wet environments.

Regardless of size, when starting a food garden, we start the same way. We have to consider aspect, noting particularly how much sunlight we get. We have to work with contour, which allows us to maximize our water efficiency. And, we have to size our beds (no more than double-reach) and paths appropriately.

Then, there are Geoff’s top six considerations:

6) Controlling the edges and ends of the beds with low-lying and/or perennial plants,
5) mixing annuals and perennials together,
4) cultivating diversity in size and shape and color to confuse pests and favor predators,
3) taking advantage of micro-climates in the design to extend the growing season,
2) utilize the increase of growing area with vertical spacing,
1) and cycling nutrients through the system via waste from the garden, house, and beyond

With wet gardens, the priorities are much the same, but we also have to recognize both the value of water in the garden and the value of air. We want aerobic soils with air in them, and we can get this with growing mounds and raised gardens. When put on contour, our raised gardens can help us with retaining water if dry periods arise, and rocks within those garden beds aid with drainage.

Next episode, Geoff will be delving into permaculture ethics: care of the earth, care of the people, and the return of surplus. To ask questions regarding permaculture ethics, comment below in this video thread and Geoff will answer the most upvoted questions in the next episode.

Watch Episode one, "Dealing with Mosquitoes and Reading the Landscape", here:    • Dealing with Mosquitoes and Reading t...  

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