Forest Farming vs. Forest Gardening: What’s the Difference? | Farming the Woods Steve Gabriel In our pursuit of discovering forest farmers for the writing of our book, we’ve received a lot of responses from folks around developing forest gardens. This post describes the difference between the two practices. We are absolutely supportive and encouraging of forest gardens and see the two practices as companions. The topic of forest gardening has been well articulated in Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier’s 2005 book, Edible Forest Gardens Vol 1 & 2. (EFG) Definitions With many agricultural and horticultural practices out in the world, there are many lines that one can draw in the sand; some useful and some less so. Forest Gardening: mimicking the structure and function of forests in the way we garden, or using the forest as a model for the way we garden. Dave Jacke and others advocate that in Forest Gardening we want to mimic mid-succession forests and woodlands with a 40 – 50% canopy cover. As Dave Jacke says, this is This is gardening/farming IN the forest. Like this:
Come Hither Kale, Mr. Candyland Game, Seductive Books and a Black-Eyed Gnome My kale has apparently been sending out pheromones and/or seductive telepathic vibes to my non-kale eating friends! Today, while out to tea with me, my non-kale-friendly friend, Suzanna, happened to mention with a gleam in her eye, “I just keep thinking about your kale! You know I don’t really like kale, but I keep thinking about yours.” She smiled a dreamy smile. “That’s kind of strange,” I said, “because David’s sister sent me an email last night about my kale, and we have never known her or any member of her little family to eat kale, either! “Three non-kale-eaters,” Suzanna replied, then added with another gleam in her eye, “that we know of!” She mentioned having seen some photos of kale on my blog “awhile back” and I asked if she had seen my horizontal kale. She wasn’t sure she had, but when I described how this one had decided to stretch out across the newly opened garden bed, we both started laughing. “I’m the only Game in town,” he said. “Yeah, all the rest are Jokes!” “Just go!
Construct A Greenhouse. Science by Design Series., 2000-Mar This book is one of four books in the Science-by-Design Series created by TERC and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This series presents directed instruction on how to successfully formulate and carry out product design. Students learn and apply concepts in science and technology to design and build a pair of insulated gloves, a model boat, a greenhouse, and a catapult.
Permaculture Articles This section of the online library contains an expanding offering of permaculture articles on concepts, techniques, practices and related skills. The word “permaculture” was coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren and describes a system of design that integrates all aspects of sustainable living, including polycultural systems of perennial and self-perpetuating plant and animal species useful to humankind. Permaculture is understood as an approach to designing human settlements and agricultural systems that mimic the relationships found in natural ecological systems. The principles of permaculture provide a framework that enables people to provide for food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs. The permaculture articles often include references to excellent books, resources, and classes on permaculture. Medicinal Herb Gardening Medicinal herb gardening is a wonderful way to begin incorporating permaculture into your life.
Wave goodbye to global warming, GM and pesticides Updated 25 August 2013 09:56 AM The technology – radio wave energised water – massively increases the output of vegetables and fruits by up to 30 per cent. Not only are the plants much bigger but they are largely disease-resistant, meaning huge savings in expensive fertilisers and harmful pesticides. Extensively tested in Ireland and several other countries, the inexpensive water treatment technology is now being rolled out across the world. Developed by Professor Austin Darragh and Dr JJ Leahy of Limerick University's Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, the hardy eco-friendly technology uses nothing but the natural elements of sunlight, water, carbon dioxide in the air and the minerals in the soil. Speaking about the new technology, Professor Austin Darragh says: "Vi-Aqua makes water wetter and introduces atmospheric nitrogen into the water in the form of nitrates – so it is free fertiliser. "We can also make water savings of at least 30 per cent. Sunday Independent Read More
Seed Saving Guide: The Seed Ambassadors Project Some wonderful person has compiled lots of seed saving resources into one place, including a slideshow version of our ‘zine: A Guide to Seed Saving, Seed Stewardship and Seed Sovereignty. Check them all out out at Here is the 4th edition of our Seed Ambassadors Project Seed Saving Guide. “A Guide to Seed Saving, Seed Stewardship & Seed Sovereignty” Seed Saving Zine 4 hand out (3.8 MB PDF) This hanout formated version is your best choice for printing and reading if you do not have one of those fancy zine staplers. Seed Saving Zine 4 duplex (3.5 MB PDF) This zine formated version is for printing in a duplex printer and folding into a Zine. If you would rather us send you a copy that we have printed, please send us $4 to cover printing costs and to help support the Seed Ambassadorts Project. Enjoy your seed saving adventures
Keyhole Gardens Keyhole Gardens First made popular in Africa, keyhole gardens are catching on in Texas and other hot, dry places. Keyhole gardens hold moisture and nutrients due to an active compost pile placed in the center of a round bed. Although most helpful in hot and dry locations a keyhole garden will improve growing conditions in just about any climate. From a bird's eye view the garden is shaped as a keyhole. Keyhole Garden in Central Texas, Deb Tolman uses keyhole gardens as the main source of her own food supply, and is working on ways to keep them producing throughout multiple seasons and conditions. Keyhole garden in Lesotho by Send a Cow, who first popularized keyhole gardens in Africa. Keyhole garden. Keyhole garden by Send a Cow. A keyhole garden in Ethiopia. Keyhole garden in Uganda by Send a Cow. Keyhole garden scheme. When it rains or when you water your compost, the nutrients will seep into the surrounding bed. Step by step photos of a keyhole garden build. libertygarden.us How to:
Building Earthworm Boxes: Making Worm Composting Bins For Home And Garden By Bonnie L. Grant Worm composting is an easy way to reduce landfill pollution and provide juicy, rich soil for your plants. Worm Composting Bins for Home and Garden Vermicomposting is the term for worm composting bins. Old wooden boxes with holes drilled in the bottom would also work for building earthworm boxes. Types of Worm Bins Bottomless bins are one type of vermicomposting system, which is used for building earthworm boxes. The most basic types of worm bins are single layer. For an even fancier set up, install a spigot at the bottom to collect the compost tea. Make Your Own Worm Bins You can make worm composting bins for home and garden use yourself using the following steps: Start with the container and drill twenty ¼ inch holes in the bottom.Set another container under this that leaves a gap for the worms to move into after they are finished with the contents of the top layer. Feeding Worm Composting Bins Feed the worms your food scraps slowly until you see how much they can eat.
Gardening Downloads: TheLostSeed.com Sow When Chart A simple chart to be used as a guide as to which vegetables, herbs etc to plant throughout the year in your particular area. Please note that chart is to be used as a guide only & will vary depending on your local area. (.pdf file) Guide to Selecting TomatoesA simple chart to be used as a guide to selecting tomatoes, according to size, shape, colour, early varieties & unusual characteristics. (.pdf file) Order FormTo place an order you can do so either via our website, or if you prefer to fax or post your order to us, you can either print out your shopping cart, or use the Order Form below. (.pdf file) Wholesale Seed Packet Re-Order FormTo place a wholesale order (approved retail outlets only) you can do so either via our website by placing your order, then entering the coupon code 'WHOLESALE' to apply wholesale pricing, or if you prefer simply print out the form below (.pdf file) & fax to us 02 6493 0286
Cultivate's Permaculture Blog | Cultivating sustainable lifestyles and resilient communities Bacillus Thuringiensis Products – Tips For Using Bt In The Garden By Jackie Rhoades You’ve likely heard the numerous recommendations for using Bt pest control, or Bacillus thuringiensis, in the home garden. But what exactly is this and how does using Bt in the garden work? Keep reading to learn more about this organic form of pest control. What is Bacillus Thuringiensis? Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is actually a naturally occurring bacterium, common in some soils, that causes disease in certain insects, most notably leaf and needle feeding caterpillars. Controlling pests with Bacillus thuringiensis is dependent on its ‘active ingredient’, a crystal protein, which paralyzes the digestive system of the insect. All in all, controlling pests with Bacillus thuringiensis has become a marvelous tool for eliminating certain insect species from both the commercial and home garden. Controlling Pests with Bacillus Thuringiensis First and foremost, read the label. For those specified insects that do ingest the Bt product, be aware that starvation can take days.