permaculture

["Steve Diver" <steved@ncatark.uark.edu>]

A few observations on sheet mulching, as a follow-up to Ozark 
Challenges and the control of bermudagrass: 

The permaculture way is to go with current energy (i.e., renewable 
rather than fossil fuel), to reduce pollution, to avoid toxics, and to 
use organic and biological resources as much as possible. 

In this context, plastic is a poor choice as a sheet mulch in 
comparison to an organic sheet mulch system based on layers of newspaper 
or cardboard topped with leaves, straw, or hay.  Thus, I think it 
was helpful to get that message from Dan Hemmenway about permaculture 
and plastic (attached below). 

Taking into account where people are on the scale of permanance, 
I also think it appropriate to present a number of non-chemical or 
low-input options and let people work within the framework of a 
transition to permanance.  It seems natural that permanance will 
grow on them once they have experienced the alternative.  And, if we 
have a chance to present the holistic or deeper framework that permaculture   
has to offer, we can help in this shift at a personal and community 
level.

As a farm advisor and permaculture teacher, the critical thing in 
my way of thinking in terms of bermudagrass control is that the 
novice gardener/farmer understands the urgency of keeping on 
top of this plant that at one time was commonly known 
as "Devil's Weed." 

As an example, a friend looked askance at the roadside flower bed I 
established last year with a strip of Sunbelt fabric weed barrier 
10'x90' in size.  She wanted to know why I didn't just mulch that patch 
of bermudagrass and Johnsongrass with straw.  

The reason is that straw alone would have resulted in a nightmare, 
because the bermuda would grow right through it...and the 
hard-to-find native plants, prairie wildflowers, herbaceous 
perennials, and herbs that were planted there would have vanished, 
since it was a low-maintenance bed by design.  On the other hand, 
a "sheet" of newspaper or cardboard underlying the straw mulch would 
shift the whole equation by providing a barrier underneath the mulch  

This seems like a simple matter, but it is critical that some 
"system" of weed control is understood and implemented before putting 
a tremendous amount of effort into a doomed project. 

In support of the organic sheet mulch method, I offer three items: 

1.  
One of the best little articles and descriptions of the organic 
sheet mulch system was in the newsletter of The Permaculture Activist
about a year ago.  It described all the wonders of microbial and soil 
life as a result of the breakdown and decomposition from the organic 
materials etc. 

2.  
The City of Fayetteville, Arkansas is fortunate to have in its 
horticulture department a few really progressive women in key 
positions.  In the most prominent and beautiful park in town, 
Lisa P. the city gardener had a very successful experience in 
controlling bermudagrass via the organic sheet mulch method.  She 
covered a huge bed area with cardboard, and topped it with straw and 
wood chips for one whole growing season.  This year the weeds are gone 
and the soil looks great and it is ready to plant.  Thus, the organic 
sheet mulch method is a viable option for municipalities as well as 
for home gardeners.   

3.  
Rebecca Bryant, a fellow environmental activist from Fayetteville 
who posted the original message on Ozark Challenges, 
I am happy to report, has done a very nice job of adopting the 
organic sheet mulch to a good size portion of an overgrown garden.  
After taking one look at the heavy layer of cardboard, soon to be 
topped with leaves and straw etc., I am confident that bermuda will 
be gone at the end of the growing season and the worms will have a 
feast on the organic decay. 

Steve Diver
Fayetteville, Arkansas  

> From:          Elfpermacl@aol.com
> Date:          Wed, 26 Mar 1997 09:41:45 -0500 (EST)
> To:            steved@ncatark.uark.edu, owner-permaculture@envirolink.org,
>                permaculture@listserv.oit.unc.edu
> Cc:            permaculture@envirolink.org
> Subject:       Re: Ozark Challenges

> Spreading plastic all over the ground is spreading chemicals all over the
> ground.  Plastic is not stable, but photodecays and spontaneously decays,
> depending on the kind of plastic, etc.  Volatiles get into the ground.  In 
> my
> view, this practice is hostile to permaculture.  I know that serious
> permaculturists disagree--I'
> m responding to such a viewipoint.  My purpose is to state a viewpoint that
> needs expression, not start a flame war or even a debate.
> 
> The facts are obvious.  People will opt for the convenience of plastic or 
> for
> a more conservative definition of permaculture.  That's a pretty clear
> choice.  There is no missing or hidden information needed to make it.
> 
> For Mother Earth, Dan Hemenway, Yankee Permaculture Publications (since
> 1982), Elfin Permaculture workshops, lectures, Permaculture Design Courses,
> consulting and permaculture designs (since 1981). Next  correspondence
> permaculture training by email starts in Aug., '97. Internships available.
> Copyright, 1997, Dan & Cynthia Hemenway, P.O. Box 2052, Ocala FL 34478 USA
>  YankeePerm@aol.com  
> 
> We don't have time to rush.
 
 

--
steved@ncatark.uark.edu