Sunday, January 23, 2011

Urban Permaculture

Permaculture is similar to organic farming but it is more friendly to the ecology as you would only use materials found nearby. This means carbon footprint is reduced and energy (transportation) is saved. Permaculture involves sustainability whereby is it self sustainable/ sufficient. I read from somewhere on the internet that permaculture is an acronym for permanent agriculture which refers to long term agricultural practices where resources is not depleted but rather, in a manner where it will be sustainable.


Most of us living in city areas where land is scarce for agriculture activities, thus the term urban added to the front. This concept factors in the scarcity of agricultural land and maximise the use of whatever that we can find commonly. Composting of waste, getting seeds from the fruit that we eat, sourcing plants from nearby or neighbours, harvesting of rainwater and in other words reduce, reuse and recycle. Bricks and construction materials that are to be dumped, can be used for structures like the herb spiral. Wooden chips, dead leaves swept from the roads and even our broom sticks (made from coconuts) can be used for "enrich" the soil. Large planters box would be in place if there is no garden land.


I was fortunate to have a friend who attended a permaculture course and started sharing her knowledge in this area. You would be surprised at what nature has to offer and in our tropical climate, there are just so many herbs and spices available. Imagine, cooking and just grabbing the herbs and vegetables just outside your backyard ala Jamie Oliver, just grabbing and tossing them into your own pan :)

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