The Mindful Living team (most of them) possess a significant amount of knowledge pertaining to organic gardening and sustainable living. However, not everyone is as knowledgeable as these individuals and could use some introductory instruction on basic concepts and ideas within the topic's breadth. This reasoning has spurred the idea to introduce a small series of posts dedicated to increasing the basic knowledge of organic farming to beginners of all kinds, entitled (at least temporarily) Organic Farming/Sustainable Living Vocabulary!
The column's first concept: permaculture
permaculture |ˈpərməˌkəl ch ər|
noun
the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.
When researching permaculture and the movement behind it, references are usually directed at larger scale agricultural ecosystems, whether they be found on acres and acres of land or located in between high rises in cities. The ideas behind permaculture strive to create an ecosystem where plants assist and/or are complimentary to other plants growing in the same area. A prime example of ecological harmony can be found in the relationship between corn, beans and squash. According to Urban Garden Magazine, "the traditional example in North America is the “three sisters,” or maize (corn), beans and squash. Benefiting from each other, the maize provides the structure for the beans to climb (no poles needed). The beans fix nitrogen for the soil and the other plants, while the squash vines spread along the ground, blocking the sunlight that weeds need. The squash leaves are also a “living mulch,” creating a microclimate that retains moisture while the prickly hairs on the vines help deter pests. This guild integrates while utilizing the “waste” of the other plants, thereby touching on another great Holmgren principle: Produce No Waste (meaning that everything can have a use, even if we call it “waste”).
Permaculture’s principles also state that farmers should be cultivating plants that are native to the soil and climate where they are to be grown. Cultivating plants that are not naturally found in a certain climate may lead farmers to adjust the amounts of nutrients, water and care a plant gets, therefore tampering with the natural balance found in a plant’s native soil. It may also have negative effects on the rest of the ecosystem as it may not have qualities and characteristics beneficial for surrounding plants.
These are just two examples of the ideas behind permaculture. It is truly a revolutionary movement and we here at Mindful Living hope to contribute towards that movement and do our best to promote a sustainable and self-sufficient permaculture here in Avondale, Chicago. The garden is small now, but the future holds great possibilities.
