|
| |
To listen to soundfile: click on the headphones icon
To download soundfile: click on the mp3 file name
|
|
| |
Permaculture is the umbrella term that embodies different systems (organics, biodynamics), techniques and methods of living and growing with nature. Permaculture is about establishing a permanent culture so that people can survive from their produce. Those who practice permaculture thus establish a lifestyle that is sustainable. To help people take up permaculture, a volunteer program called Permablitz has begun in which people come to a household and do the work required to establish a sustainable garden. A household that signs up to Permablitz also has to agree to contribute to three other Permablitzes before their one can be undertaken.
A design is drawn up with the household and everything is organised. On the day some 40 to 100 people will turn up and begin work. This is augmented with workshops around the different constructions, so if the volunteers are building a chicken coop anyone on site can attend a workshop to learn how it is done, making it an educational experience as well.
Permablitzes so far have had workshops on everything from planting to pond building, clearing, irrigation and stormwater. At the end of the day the garden is transformed. Many will have chicken coops, fruit trees, a kitchen garden for herbs and vegetables and a pond for watercress and attracting insects away from the plants.
Permablitz is a movement that is really taking hold and is at the forefront of those people with edible gardens. Interestingly, the first thing to go in a new Permablitz is the lawn. Ares are then cordoned off for different purposes. The food forest of fruit and nut trees is contained within the large scale chicken coop. The chickens range free, fertilising the tress as they go. Some household do preparation in advance. Many pay for mulching and other materials that are needed for the soil.
What is different in a Permablitz is that a sustainable garden is established, rather than creating an established garden, like those of TV makeover fame.
Tomato seedlings will be planted instead of fully grown plants and recycled materials can be used. It all depends on how much money the household wants to spend. Permablitzes have taken place in Melbourne, Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Bellingen as well as internationally.
Costa has been back to the first Permablitz he was involved with in Melbourne. He was amazed at the vegetables the kitchen garden was producing and the residents were now very connected to their garden, making it a centrepiece of their lifestyle.
Information can be found on the website (www.permablitz.com), where people can register and receive the regular emails that detail upcoming blitzes for which people can volunteer. Another great aspect of each blitz is the shared food that is brought in and the ceremonial release of the chickens at the end.
Text: V.B. December 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 For more information, please contact us |
)
