Monday, September 08, 2008

Greening the Desert

I'm a 'permie' (permaculture practitioner) and it's all about the soil. There is a social and political component to permaculture, but this for now gives you an idea of some of the principles involved. Permaculture got started in Australia and was pioneered by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. I'll be posting more about this as there's too much to tell. This is Geoff Lawton talking about greening the desert. Follow the 'greening the desert' link for transcript.

10 comments:

  1. Great stuff, Ingrid! I've got so much to learn about permaculture, trying to grow things in TX, and trying to do agriculture in a responsible way there.

    Yes, everything is political. I frequently think about what a strong statement a garden is when I'm working there.

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  2. I love this and can't wait to see how you finish out your permie project in your back yard!! Soil is everything in terms of growing healthy plants.

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  3. Ingrid
    Really glad to hear this. More better start learning and quick. You know my life long training so enough of that but there are a couple hear that focus on this issue. I don't know if you are familiar with Wease but he does quite well for himself. He had a video on the 25th you will find very interesting. You can find it Here
    I am pretty sure you know Betmo but she too focuses on growing vegetables etc.
    Here is a link you will find handy! Water worries lead cities, businesses and homeowners to ancient art of rainwater harvesting

    Making potable water is important too but that subject can be wide and there are many links on the net. I have some too but enough. You take care!

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  4. I didn't realize what a "permie" meant, but this is great stuff and my husband will love it too.

    And you've been tagged!

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  5. sorry guys I've been 'neglecting' my response. I am on my way out to let the kiddies get their outside energy 'out' as dh is in Washington DC so I'm not as available this week.

    I love this video and would love to do a soil experiment is something similar like this but then in an American dessert. Blueberry..the 'permies' are quite big here in Austin, next time I have a permie potluck, I'll be sure to invite you. They're an interesting and varied bunch..
    if you have more questions, if you feel better, come on over for coffee..I think I gave you my phone number right??

    and being tagged?? ooh..exciting..oh so much for that, the kids are ready to go out..
    later peeps!

    Ingrid

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  6. I tagged you at my site, Ingrid!

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  7. Ingrid- I knew nothing about this. Very cool video. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I didn't know much about it either but I'll look forward to having some ground or a flat roof one day.

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  9. I responded to your comment on my blog about those purple blooms. They are TEXAS PURPLE SAGE, well adapted to your hot dry environment. Drought-tolerant & not picky about soil as long it drains well. Looking fwd to seeing what you do with your yard project. Always nice to see what can be done with native plants.

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  10. Maria..dang, here I am yakking with you for a few nights in a row and even seeing you in person I kept forgetting about that! I'll be sure to come 'round tomorrow as I will have the house to myself..
    Mary, permaculture is not the most enticing definition as it also encompasses a lot of things and permies all over have their own, paragraphical definitions of what permaculture is. However, it is very interesting as it makes connections between different areas (soil, means of production, political and social notions, care of the earth, people etc) just as nature is integrative and one small part of the whole is needed to keep the whole intact. (for example, if there were no bees it would have great repercussions for human food production)..so I'll be sure to post more on this.
    Susan, I have this coold natural building book which has a pic of a roof with grass growing on it (french) and just looking at it I turn into a wannabe hobbit! [g]

    Texas purple sage well blow me down DK. The lady bird johnson Wildflower center (less than 10min from my house) is having a fall plant sale so I bet you they'll feature that as well. I can't wait to go and 'buy stuff'.
    I'll have to start making little films and take pics of my backyard to show the before and gradual 'after' 'cause it will be a big project!

    to be continued...

    Ingrid

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