Thursday, June 25, 2020
Radical Regenerative Gardening and Farming: How to be a good steward of the land and a good ga...
Radical Regenerative Gardening and Farming: How to be a good steward of the land and a good ga...: This blog is an attempt to offer constructive criticism on becoming a better steward of the land. This involves efficient use of space so y...
How to be a good steward of the land and a good gardener.
This blog is an attempt to offer constructive criticism on becoming a better steward of the land. This involves efficient use of space so you can imitate how nature grows plants. This at the heart of Permaculture. Keeping the ground protected helps to enhance the life of the soil. Leaving the land bare is popular amongst farmers. Only humans do this. As the sun bakes the life out of it, the wind sucks the life out of it and the rains washes it away. Utilizing the principles of agroecology and intensive planting helps create balance and protects the fragile life under ground. Viewing the photos below offers ways to manifest life both below and above the ground. The first photo is cabbage planted in a staggered pattern interplanted with radishes and turnips. This is an example of polyculture and succession planting. As the cabbage grows and encompasses the space the turnips and radishes are harvested to allow more room. This is much more productive than the photo besides it using plastic mulch which releases toxins over time. The next photo is very common example of straight rows down the bed. Nothing in nature grows in this type of design. Planting in staggered patterns imitates nature, uses space efficiently and prevents weeds. The photo of beets planted next to it are broadcast which provides a much better yield. Below that photo are broccoli planted in a staggered pattern. This system more than quadruples the yield per given space. The living mulch they create develops a micro environment that supports their growth on many levels. The next photo is a box garden. I know people love box gardens. They are contained. I love transforming, regenerating and healing soil and environments. This is my passion and what I have done for several decades, but it may be too much work if you do not love it. When I see the sides of the box, I also see where it could produce a case of lettuce or a large bag of carrots. That is how I hold my beds together. People are conditioned to be consumers. This is the opposite of producing.. Gardening involves producing something with nature. So instead of buying wood, soil, plants, plastic and the latest invention, I use nature to create abundance. The argument is that the soil might be toxic. If so, have it tested. The soil or so called compost in bags might also have toxic ingredients. In my research I have found this to be true. There is no organic standard for compost. I also enjoy remediating toxic soil with plants through phytoremediation. I want box gardeners to think outside the box. There is a whole beautiful natural world under your feet waiting for you to connect with it. Near the bottom is a plastic tarp used to kill weeds. Weeds are the scar tissue of people's damage to the land. Weeds protect the soil and utilize land efficiently if you do not. In this way they are teachers. They can be very useful. I plant intensively and so only weed once or not at all. The plastic suffocates the soil and kills the beneficial microorganisms. Healthy soil breathes and pulsates like all living organisms. The photo on the bottom is a bed that allows this to happen. Invest in the soil and it will pay you back several fold. The garden creates the gardener as the gardener creates the garden. But you have to be open to the process for this to happen. There is more detail in my book, Radical Regenerative Gardening and Farming.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
A long term response to dealing with Covid 19 virus.
The Corona 19 virus has disrupted the life of societies around the world like nothing I have seen in my life. The repercussions will have a great impact on the worlds ability to function as it has leading up to this pandemic. I am not an epidemiologist or even a pathologist, but I know something about dealing with diseases in nature. Disease problems are indicators of an imbalance. In dealing with such a problem you must first examine the factors that allow it to become so prevalent. To begin with, it helps to understand how they operate. Viruses are less common than other parasites. Viruses are a lot smaller than bacteria and fungi. They consist of a genetic material, like RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein in a fat coating. If you wash the virus molecules with soap you render it unable to survive. This is why it is important to wash with soap when exposed to it. Unlike bacteria or fungi, it is a total parasite. It cannot replicate or live long without a host. Bacteria and fungi can grow without a host. Viruses cannot. So it needs to be more aggressive to live. Being highly contagious helps with that. Some viruses have been used to disinfect bacteria in labs. So it spreads rapidly yet is very fragile. There are two factors that favor it's development in human society.
The first one is finding the right environment. If I grow a large crop of one plant it is more susceptible to whatever pest targets that plant. This is why I stay away from growing a monocrop. I have been in cattle feed lots and large chicken houses where there is a dense population of one species. This is a ripe environment for whatever parasite targets that group. I have seen many situations where people congregate inside subway stations or events or even in downtowns that closely resemble a feed lot or chicken house on a much larger scale. Considering how our cities are designed, I am actually surprised an epidemic of diseases are not more common. The way we design cities is that we pave over nature and fill it up with structures for high density human occupation. Living in South East Asia was incredible to see so many people in such close proximity. A diversity of species favors a balance in nature. This balance supports resilience. This is a rule for growing using agroecology. So if our cities were allowed to invite in more nature like parks and pedestrian beltlines this would help. The way cities are presently designed is not a healthy environment to live in. This is a hard sell to real estate venture capitalists. The disconnect with nature is part of the disfunction of modern society.
The second factor is the internal environment, that being our bodies. The primary role of diseases in nature is to cull out weakness. This is what plagues and diseases did in ancient history. It kept human population growth controlled. In my work I grow healthy plants because they have mechanisms that ward off diseases. Modern medicine works with allopathic methods that treat symptoms only. Preventative medicine is a word that is thrown around but rarely used in treating health problems. Most people who have died from covid 19 had underlying health conditions or were elderly. That is a troubling thought since I am a senior citizen. Being healthy is not about taking probiotics. It is about eating foods that create abundance in your body. I wonder how much soil I eat while I am munching on carrots during work. I have been growing my own food for 4 or 5 decades. So health is a lifestyle. The changes of this pandemic needs to be a wake up call. Our society and the way it is structured needs a paradigm shift if this is truly a wake up call. This is not something you buy but something you do. Realign your priorities. Develop wealth beyond money. People want this to end and to get back to normal. Yet change is inevitable and constant. This is a good time to restructure how you spend your time to develop a healthy environment that supports diversity and symbiotic relationships with nature. Connecting with the earth connects us with who we are.
The first one is finding the right environment. If I grow a large crop of one plant it is more susceptible to whatever pest targets that plant. This is why I stay away from growing a monocrop. I have been in cattle feed lots and large chicken houses where there is a dense population of one species. This is a ripe environment for whatever parasite targets that group. I have seen many situations where people congregate inside subway stations or events or even in downtowns that closely resemble a feed lot or chicken house on a much larger scale. Considering how our cities are designed, I am actually surprised an epidemic of diseases are not more common. The way we design cities is that we pave over nature and fill it up with structures for high density human occupation. Living in South East Asia was incredible to see so many people in such close proximity. A diversity of species favors a balance in nature. This balance supports resilience. This is a rule for growing using agroecology. So if our cities were allowed to invite in more nature like parks and pedestrian beltlines this would help. The way cities are presently designed is not a healthy environment to live in. This is a hard sell to real estate venture capitalists. The disconnect with nature is part of the disfunction of modern society.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Regenerative Permaculture Reforestation
Trees represent greatness. They are living antiques in nature. They create sanctuaries that feed our souls. Planting trees is a good way to regenerate unused land. Trees are an important way to restore habitat and balance. They work well in permaculture design. On farm land they create micro climates in the form of wind breaks, shelter belts and catchment areas. Tall trees capture moisture and attract rain. Their roots store nutrients. Leguminous trees fix and release nitrogen. A balanced ecosystem depends on them to thrive in the form of a forested community. Trees are an important and permanent component in developing regenerative agriculture.
Tree Planting Program. In early 2020 with my non profit, REAP. I coordinated tree plantings across Georgia. We acquired 20,000 native trees. The trees were distributed in communities where secure land would allow the trees to grow for many years. The concept was to offer people something tangible they could do that would make a positive impact in there immediate area. The trees were made available free of charge. The idea was to offer ideas on how to regenerate land as a way of learning how to become better caretakers of the planet. I had originally did this thirty years ago for the 20th anniversary of Earth Day in 1990. Back then we organized and planted close to 17,000 trees. That program was very successful because of all the enthusiasm around Earth Day in 1990. In 2020 I choose to make it an even 20,000 trees. We worked with foresters, city arborists, the DNR, county extension agents, environmental non profits, a few church groups. Many colleges got involved and utilized students to plant the trees. The trees were a mix of mostly hardwoods and a few evergreens. We donated a thousand longleaf pines to wildlife biologists that are working on bringing back endangered species in Longleaf pine habitats. In hindsight I wish I would have acquired more longleaf pines to donate to such a worthy cause. The trees were seedlings ranging from 1 foot tall to six foot tall. They are trees for the future, for our grandchildren. When I did this program in 1990, I went into many schools to plant trees with children. I would tell the 4th and 5th graders that they could come back in 30 years with their children and tell them that they planted that tree when they were in the fourth grade. Now that that concept has reached fruition, I thought it was time to do it again. Reforestation and regenerating a forest is done in several phases. First planting the taller trees that will become the upper canopy along with staggered plantings of smaller trees that are the understory. Next introduce native grasses, broadleaf plants, legumes and wildflowers that will cover the floor. Some habitat trees like serviceberry, mulberry, quince, etc, also contribute to habitat restoration. Some of this needs to be replanted as needed to fill in empty spots and for a healthy succession. Once the growth becomes established it would be useful to introduce mushrooms to encourage a healthy mycology in the soil. Most important is to check all erosion. Regenerating a piece of land is incredibly rewarding and helps you connect with the earth in a way that is very fulfilling. Regenerating land is a way of regenerating ourselves and helps us to become whole.
Tree Planting Program. In early 2020 with my non profit, REAP. I coordinated tree plantings across Georgia. We acquired 20,000 native trees. The trees were distributed in communities where secure land would allow the trees to grow for many years. The concept was to offer people something tangible they could do that would make a positive impact in there immediate area. The trees were made available free of charge. The idea was to offer ideas on how to regenerate land as a way of learning how to become better caretakers of the planet. I had originally did this thirty years ago for the 20th anniversary of Earth Day in 1990. Back then we organized and planted close to 17,000 trees. That program was very successful because of all the enthusiasm around Earth Day in 1990. In 2020 I choose to make it an even 20,000 trees. We worked with foresters, city arborists, the DNR, county extension agents, environmental non profits, a few church groups. Many colleges got involved and utilized students to plant the trees. The trees were a mix of mostly hardwoods and a few evergreens. We donated a thousand longleaf pines to wildlife biologists that are working on bringing back endangered species in Longleaf pine habitats. In hindsight I wish I would have acquired more longleaf pines to donate to such a worthy cause. The trees were seedlings ranging from 1 foot tall to six foot tall. They are trees for the future, for our grandchildren. When I did this program in 1990, I went into many schools to plant trees with children. I would tell the 4th and 5th graders that they could come back in 30 years with their children and tell them that they planted that tree when they were in the fourth grade. Now that that concept has reached fruition, I thought it was time to do it again. Reforestation and regenerating a forest is done in several phases. First planting the taller trees that will become the upper canopy along with staggered plantings of smaller trees that are the understory. Next introduce native grasses, broadleaf plants, legumes and wildflowers that will cover the floor. Some habitat trees like serviceberry, mulberry, quince, etc, also contribute to habitat restoration. Some of this needs to be replanted as needed to fill in empty spots and for a healthy succession. Once the growth becomes established it would be useful to introduce mushrooms to encourage a healthy mycology in the soil. Most important is to check all erosion. Regenerating a piece of land is incredibly rewarding and helps you connect with the earth in a way that is very fulfilling. Regenerating land is a way of regenerating ourselves and helps us to become whole.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Monday, November 4, 2019
Enhanced Ecosystems
Center for Eco Literacy. In my last blog, I discussed that diversity favors balance which supports resilience. All this enhances ecological stability. Resilience encourages the plants built-in resistant traits. Healthy plants are less prone to diseases and insects. Plants have defense mechanisms that help them deal with insects and diseases. Plants use metabolites to help them digest the nutrients they need. Secondary metabolites help build plant defense mechanisms. Monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids are the main components of essential oils. These are toxic to insects. They also inhibit bacterial and fungal attacks. Phytoecdysones can mimic insect molting and disrupt the development of larvae. These also contain anti fungal properties. Defensins are another defense mechanism contained in plant proteins. Besides this, plant resistance also depends on structural barriers between cells. When there is a disturbance the cells are triggered and increase growth that blocks disease from entering. A good example of defense mechanisms is, when temperatures drop near freezing plants are triggered to send sugars out into the leaf. Sugars freeze at a lower temperature then water. This way the plants are more protected and we harvest the more nutritious and sweeter greens after a good frost. Plant roots are highly sensitive. Plant roots can release root exudates that are anti microbial to inhibit diseases. When plants have an imbalance of nutrients they excrete certain compounds that make them attractive to diseases. Diseases in nature act as the culling out of weaker species. The diet of insect is more carbon than ours. So insects are less attracted to healthier plants.
So can we mimic these behaviors through hybridization to support this type of development? It does work on a very short term basis with GMOs. Yet this short term is not truly sustainable. It relies on outside inputs and artificial interaction. This means it addresses issues on a one dimensional level. The dynamics of a biologically balanced ecosystem is three dimensional and difficult, if not impossible to manifest with genetic interference. To facilitate the forces of nature is to hold obedience and reverence to the laws of nature. Nature works in multidimensional patterns.
So creating a healthy environment is key to growing the best plants. This is done both above and below the ground. With diversity I incorporate my cut flowers or herbs in or near beds with vegetables and fruit. They attract beneficial ones and deters unwanted ones. This is part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Here is an example. Buckwheat attracts a wasp that preys on squash bugs. Grasses harbor spiders. Grasses also attract leafhoppers and thrips that can be vectors of disease. that can be a problem for grapes. So grasses are allowed around squash but not grapes. With diversity I try to introduce compatible relationships. Learning what works is an ongoing process. The dynamics of each microcosm is unique. Plants adjust to their surroundings. If I were forming an education group, I would prefer it to develop organically. Plant groupings develop their own dynamics. In ecosystems the ability to adjust to their environment is very important. Each garden setting is unique and a one of a kind. It's individuality favors it's beauty. Plants acclimate to more extreme weather than ever before. So hardy plants are needed to deal with these challenges. Healthy soils create healthy plants. Biotic or biological factors are important to maintain. Cynobacteria (blue green algae), azospirillum, rhizobia, and antinomycetes are just a few bacterial that build healthy soils. The best way to encourage this is with quality compost. I try to use diverse manures in my piles. I also use minerals like granite sand (high in K). I also use high nutritious plants like compfrey, stinging nettles, dandelions, yarrow, chamomile, Good compost does so much. Epigenetics: the study of changes in organisms caused by modifications of gene expression rather than alterations of the genetic code itself (which is what GMO is trying to do. Plant growth substances (phytohormones) that promote cell division or cytokinesis. A PH of 6.5 helps make nutrients available to plants. Soils that hold water yet drain and breathe are important to a healthy biology in the soil. Being a good steward of land is a commitment that comes with an ongoing learning process. There is more information in my book, Radical Regenerative Gardening and Farming.
So can we mimic these behaviors through hybridization to support this type of development? It does work on a very short term basis with GMOs. Yet this short term is not truly sustainable. It relies on outside inputs and artificial interaction. This means it addresses issues on a one dimensional level. The dynamics of a biologically balanced ecosystem is three dimensional and difficult, if not impossible to manifest with genetic interference. To facilitate the forces of nature is to hold obedience and reverence to the laws of nature. Nature works in multidimensional patterns.
So creating a healthy environment is key to growing the best plants. This is done both above and below the ground. With diversity I incorporate my cut flowers or herbs in or near beds with vegetables and fruit. They attract beneficial ones and deters unwanted ones. This is part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Here is an example. Buckwheat attracts a wasp that preys on squash bugs. Grasses harbor spiders. Grasses also attract leafhoppers and thrips that can be vectors of disease. that can be a problem for grapes. So grasses are allowed around squash but not grapes. With diversity I try to introduce compatible relationships. Learning what works is an ongoing process. The dynamics of each microcosm is unique. Plants adjust to their surroundings. If I were forming an education group, I would prefer it to develop organically. Plant groupings develop their own dynamics. In ecosystems the ability to adjust to their environment is very important. Each garden setting is unique and a one of a kind. It's individuality favors it's beauty. Plants acclimate to more extreme weather than ever before. So hardy plants are needed to deal with these challenges. Healthy soils create healthy plants. Biotic or biological factors are important to maintain. Cynobacteria (blue green algae), azospirillum, rhizobia, and antinomycetes are just a few bacterial that build healthy soils. The best way to encourage this is with quality compost. I try to use diverse manures in my piles. I also use minerals like granite sand (high in K). I also use high nutritious plants like compfrey, stinging nettles, dandelions, yarrow, chamomile, Good compost does so much. Epigenetics: the study of changes in organisms caused by modifications of gene expression rather than alterations of the genetic code itself (which is what GMO is trying to do. Plant growth substances (phytohormones) that promote cell division or cytokinesis. A PH of 6.5 helps make nutrients available to plants. Soils that hold water yet drain and breathe are important to a healthy biology in the soil. Being a good steward of land is a commitment that comes with an ongoing learning process. There is more information in my book, Radical Regenerative Gardening and Farming.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)