This article was previously published on March 22, 2019 and has been updated with new information.
The process known as “inheritance” occurs when one plant species replaces another.first As explained in the National Geographic short film above, when an area is left to its own devices, it naturally turns into a forest over time, with a multitude of plant species and diversity. This transformation takes place without human assistance.
The film is about a man-made “forest garden” designed to emulate this type of natural ecosystem, where fruit and nut trees grow interspersed with shrubs, herbs, vines, and more. perennial vegetables in a seemingly wild setting. According to National Geographic:2
“United Kingdom-based Martin Crawford is one of the pioneers in woodland horticulture. Starting out with a flat field in 1994, his land has been converted to a forest and serviced. as an educational resource for others interested in forest gardening.
This short film by Thomas Regnault focuses on Crawford’s woodland garden, which is rich, diverse, edible, and possibly an answer to the future of the food system. “
Diversity allows the entire system to thrive
In his unique garden, Crawford grows 500 different types of plants and edible plants, yet the garden requires only a few hours of maintenance each month. This low maintenance requirement is a direct result of creating a self-sustainable and renewable ecosystem where everything is working in a symbiotic and supportive fashion.
Although many people today think of food production as the process of growing annual crops, this is actually unnatural, says Crawford. In a natural ecosystem, there are several layers of vegetation that develop, starting with tall trees at the top, shorter trees, medium and low shrubs, tubers, creepers, and low ground cover below. .
Furthermore, while many of these plants directly produce edible food, other plants, referred to by Crawford as “system plants,” are simply meant to help the entire system thrive. In this group, you have nitrogen-fixing plants, mineral-accumulating plants, and plants that attract pollinators and insects that serve as natural pest control by eating other, more harmful bugs.
In addition to being low maintenance, this type of diversification also protects your crops from any kind of bad weather, be it hurricanes, excessive rain or drought. While some may fail, others can benefit and do better, says Crawford, but in most cases your crops will survive and thrive no matter what the weather, says Crawford. , Crawford said.
This cannot be said for monoculture, where if conditions are poor, the entire crop will fail immediately. Therefore, having a varied garden is key to ensuring food security. “It gives you maximum resilience,” says Crawford.
How to use regenerative farming principles in your own garden
Over the years, I’ve interviewed a number of pioneers in regenerative agriculture, among them, Gabe Brown, whose regenerative farm in Bismarck, North Dakota. As Brown explains, to grow healthy food, you have to create healthy soil.
There are five basic principles to building a healthy soil ecosystem, and most of these can be implemented even if all you have is a small patch of garden in your backyard:
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Avoid disturbing the soil microbiome by tilling, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides – The less mechanical disturbance the better. The same applies in your home garden. The more you till the soil, the faster the soil degrades and is destroyed, as it destroys soil aggregates and mycorrhizal fungi, which house the microorganisms needed to transfer nutrients. Likewise, by adding synthetic nitrogen to the soil, the biology is completely changed – it begins to consume the carbon in the soil, destroying the structure of the soil. Without soil structure, water cannot penetrate and move throughout the soil surface and is stored through organic matter. Soil aggregates also provide homes for soil biology, which is important for producing nutrient-rich foods. |
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Protect the soil surface with cover crops and cover crop residues – Forest land and grasslands are completely covered with vegetation and this is the environment that farmers need to emulate. That vegetation protects the soil not only from wind and water erosion, but also from excessive heating and cooling. These living plants eventually actually “grow” the topsoil. In your home garden, you can use mulch, wood chips or lawn mowing to do this. You never want to leave the soil bare, as bare soil will have a negative effect on the biology of the soil and the water cycle. Cover crops and other forms of “earth armor”, such as wood chips, effectively prevent water evaporation and lower the temperature of the soil. There is easily a difference of 20 degrees F or more between bare and covered soil. When the air temperature gets to 90 degrees or higher, the soil temperature will soar above 100 degrees, which will dry out everything and dry out the roots. “If you have good armor or scum on the surface of the soil, the temperature there can be in the 80s Celsius range,” Brown said. |
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Diversification – Having a wide range of plant life is essential, and cover crops also fulfill this requirement. Home gardens will also benefit from cover crops, which help improve the soil, attract beneficial insects, and capture more sunlight (energy). |
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Keep roots alive in the soil for as long as possible – In conventional farming, after a crop is harvested, there is nothing left in the field to capture sunlight and continue growing. Maintaining some kind of growth at all times is key. If you have a small vegetable garden, don’t leave it empty when you’re done harvesting the vegetables. Instead, plant a cover crop to welcome the next season. To make the transition back from cover crops to your chosen vegetables next season, avoid letting cover crops into the soil. Instead, use one of the following methods to destroy cover crops and prepare them for new growth:
Once the cover crop has died, you’re ready to plant your vegetable seeds. For a small garden, use a hoe to cut the remaining plant cover to the side. Make a small slice in the soil, drop the seeds in and cover with a small amount of soil. If you are growing a transplant, simply move the cover crop aside, dig a hole and plant as usual. |
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Integration of livestock and other animals, including insects – Centuries ago, large herds of bison and elk moved across the region, feeding, depositing dung and trampling vegetation to the ground. All of these are part of a natural cycle that is missing when animals are housed in intensive feeding practices. Many people have started keeping chickens in their backyard again and chickens are a great addition to a sustainable garden. Rabbits, pigeons, and ducks are other alternatives that may work in some suburban areas, but even if circumstances or local laws prevent you from adding animals, be sure to plant plants Having flowers attract pollinators and predatory insects, as they will naturally help repel pests that could otherwise undo your main crop. |
Tips to help you design your own garden
While Crawford calls his garden “the garden of the woods,” it is essentially a form of cultivated garden. Aquaculture epitomizes sustainability by harnessing mutually beneficial relationships to create synergistic, self-supporting ecosystems. Its principles combine the best of organic, dynamic and regenerative agriculture. According to the Institute of Aquaculture:3
“Aquaculture is an ecological design system for sustainability in all aspects of human endeavour. It teaches us how to design natural homes and abundant food production systems, regenerate degraded landscapes and ecosystems, develop ethical economies and communities, and more.”
In a nutshell, aquaculture is an agricultural system in which the parts of the system are interconnected, working with nature, not against it. The word “permanent farming” comes from “permanent agriculture” or “permanent culture.” The focus is not on any of the elements of the system but on the relationships among them – animals, plants, insects, microorganisms, water, soil and habitats – and how these relationships are used. this system to create self-supporting ecosystems.
If you want to shoot in a woodland garden like Crawford’s, take his advice and simply start growing some larger trees (or a mix of those you already have on your property), then add smaller trees, shrubs and crops as you go along. You don’t have to plan it all out before you start.
While there is no set formula for designing an permafrost garden, here are some basic guidelines to consider:4,5
- Copy the forest blueprint with canopy giving way to smaller trees, flanked by shrubs, with smaller shade trees under the canopy
- Grouping of plants by compatible root and canopy systems, and by soil type, such as acid-loving in one area and drought-tolerant in another.
- Identify microclimates in your yard and use them to your advantage, such as shady corners, full sun, rocky areas, and areas that receive plenty of drainage
- Incorporate as much variety as possible, focusing on native plant and animal species
- Plan your area within zones based on usage and accessibility; for example, plant your herb garden and greenery in the most accessible areas, such as along your driveway or along a walkway near your deck
If you have a large enough plot of land, you can take it a step further and include five aquaculture zones as illustrated in the following diagram. At its center are you and your home, but its outermost reaches the untamed wilderness.
Zones are organized in a way that maximizes energy efficiency, so activities are sorted by frequency of use, care, visit, etc. For more detailed information on these zones , see “Linger of Aquaculture Areas” by the Perm Institute for Aquaculture Research.6
Source: KnowledgeBase.Permionary.org
