permaculture

["Kathy Evans" <evansdk@earthlink.net>]

Robyn, Thanks so much! I was thinking of putting it to bed for the winter
and I think you were talking about nightly, but what you said was very
helpful. So much to learn!  Thanks, Kathy

Kathy Evans
evansdk@earthlink.net



> [Original Message]
> From: Robyn Williamson <robinet@aapt.net.au>
> To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Date: 11/3/2006 3:24:59 PM
> Subject: Re: [permaculture] putting the garden to bed
>
> Hi Kathy
>
> I don't like putting my plants to bed with wet feet or leaves because 
> photosynthesis can't happen at night and the water evaporates more 
> slowly, creating an environment that favours fungal growth.  I think 
> it's best to wake them up with an early morning drink to sustain them 
> through the day.  In general, I try to keep leaves dry especially for 
> cucurbits and beans which are prone to fungal attack.  I know one 
> expert who grows beans and tomatoes in pots under the house eaves so 
> the leaves never even get rained on.  He told me "no rain, no fungus".
>
> This year I am trialling a micro-flood irrigation method for corn, 
> beans and cucurbits, the famous "Three Sisters" companion planting 
> method, in order to keep leaves as dry as possible while still 
> providing enough water to the root zone.  Instead of preparing a raised 
> bed, prepared earth is formed into a shallow, saucer-shaped depression 
> with walls, similar to a turkey's nest dam.  A tin can or similar with 
> no top and a few small holes in the bottom is half-buried in the 
> centre.  Put the hose in the tin can, let it overflow and flood the 
> "dam".  Watch it drain away, if it takes longer than a couple of 
> minutes you need to fix the drainage problem.  If it drains well, plant 
> seeds or seedlings in and around the wet patch and mulch.  To water 
> just put the hose in the tin can and flood the area.  So far so good, I 
> figure this method will  also use less water than spray irrigation for 
> example where 50% or more of the water applied can be lost to 
> evaporation depending on the time of day you water.
>
> Cheers, Robyn
>
> On Friday, November 3, 2006, at 04:00 am, 
> permaculture-request@lists.ibiblio.org wrote:
>
> > Can anyone give me pointers regarding putting the garden to bed in a 
> > permacultury way that might be different from what I usually do? Thank 
> > you, Kathy
>
> CONTACT DETAILS:
>
> Robyn Williamson
> Permaculture Design Consultant
> Urban Horticulturist
> Local Seed Network Coordinator
> NORTH WESTERN SYDNEY COMMUNITY SEED SAVERS
> mobile:  0409 151 435
> ph/fx:  (612) 9629 3560
> http://www.seedsavers.net
> http://www.communityfoods.org.au
> http://www.communitygarden.org.au
> http://www.baulkhamhills.nsw.gov.au/Bidjiwong
>
> I think we risk becoming the best informed society that has ever died of
> ignorance. *-Reuben Blades*
>
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