permaculture

["April Sampson-Kelly" <askpv@ozemail.com.au>]

people having been tilling in the name of agriculture for thousands of
years.
the effect is: 1. "killing" weeds and adding freeing the organic matter for
re-use
2. killing micro-organisms and adding their little bodies to the bank of
fertile resources too.

if we are really aiming for perennial, sustainable agriculture we can't
afford to kill
the workers.  the micro-organisms.
and in my experience weeds are usually the result of cultivation and so,
they WANT you
to till.

why think small, yes i believe in the good of cover crops and even weeds if
you have nothing else.
and i second the amazing result from mulching and even better, using all
local paper waste
that doesn't get recylced as sheet mulching.

but start thinking seed balls of fruit and forage trees.

seed balls can be made by children and cost very little money, just a bit of
time and can be
fun to make in a group at a barbeque or weekend party.

seed balls simply contain local mud and seed of your desired species.   they
are dried and
then spread about during a dry period.  the seeds will NOT germinate until
there is a good soaking rain.  they withstand light showers and will grow to
provide eternal mulch and soil protection, and on-site organic feed and
fruit or nuts.  they attract birds and more wildlife than do pastures and
this is another free source of fertilizer.

April
Permaculture Visions International
Students and graduates in 15 countries
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~askpv
mailto:askpv@ozemail.com.au
ICQ#46214191








> -----Original Message-----
> From: FranksFarm@aol.com [mailto:FranksFarm@aol.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, 18 August 1999 3:19
> To: permaculture
> Subject: Re: Cover crops
>
>
> Hi,
>
> Some excellent posts lately on cover crops.
>
> I'd like to pose a problem for group input.
>
> I have purchased a farm in south central Kentucky...but am not
> fully moved
> down yet. It's a bit frustrating since we first need to build a home, and
> there is so much to do :)
>
> We are trying to use Permaculture design, sustainable ag, organic
> concepts as
> basis for various farm related enterprises...CSA, Agroforestry, Pastured
> Livestock.
>
> Well the johnson grass, and weeds have taken over since I've not
> been able to
> get it cut or bush hogged. Really gotten away from me , and much
> has alraedy
> gone to see.
>
> Lots of diverse weeds so I figure soil must be OK..tested out at
> 6.2PH..a bit
> low but OK.
>
> Anyway I'm trying to figure best way to START process of building up
> /improving the soils.
>
> But I have to start small...have no machinery on hand yet...but
> ugh will need
> some equipment.  The property is just too large, and requires periodic
> maintenance, brute HP:)
>
> First area is 2.5 acre market garden site ...overgrown with
> weeds. Normally
> I'd prefer no till methods...but with all those weeds it seems
> that I must
> till them under and then plant cover crops like vetch, lespedeza,
> and maybe
> some fava beans.
>
> Will these winter kill, or do I need again to till it under and
> make raised
> beds. Hopefuly that will be the end of tilling for that area.
>
> In addition I need to begin building up improved pastures for intensive
> grazing.  I've always believed that a variety of well adapted ,
> nutritious
> pasture grasses both warm and cool season works best.  Again
> should I till
> everything under and start from scratch, or bush hog it, and
> broadcast seed
> hoping it will germinate.
> Extension folk are recommending a mix of white ladino clover and
> red fescue.
> Johnson grass sure grows well...but it seems to just take over.
>
> Any ideas.    Frank
>
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