Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by gael.bage on January 5, 2012 at 14:56

Growing a variety of plants together is sensible approach, include some bee friendly flowers,which attracts pollinators and predators to deter pests, it also confuses pests if you include some aromatic herbs

http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/companion-planting.html

Permalink Reply by Laurel Avery on January 7, 2012 at 18:33

Masanobu Fukuoka's book "The One Straw Revolution" is really great if you are interested in permaculture. It is not about how to do it per se, though there are some very useful ideas in it. It is primarily about what is important in creating sustainable agriculture. A decidedly good read, and can be finished in just a couple of days. I think it's available for download on the 'net.

Permalink Reply by Occupixie on January 7, 2012 at 18:45

ah nice one! if it is ill hunt down the link and post it on the books page :)

- found it, posting it in Books section :)

Permalink Reply by Laurel Avery on January 7, 2012 at 19:58

If I may ask, where is the Books section? I imagine there are probably some really interesting reads there but don't see a link to it anywhere.

Occupixie said:

ah nice one! if it is ill hunt down the link and post it on the books page :)

- found it, posting it in Books section :)

Permalink Reply by Laurel Avery on January 7, 2012 at 20:18

You can download some great podcasts on permaculture and sustainability. One I am perticularly fond of is called Sustainable World Radio. They cover a variety of topics and the host has the cutest voice I've ever heard. You just want to go and give her a big hug! They cover everything from forest gardens to city permaculture and keeping chickens. A great thing to listen to while you're cooking, knitting, or doing some such task.

Permalink Reply by Andy McLellan on January 8, 2012 at 17:24

As gael.bage suggested, companion planting is a great way of growing plants together for mutual benefit and there are some classic combinations used to enhance growth and/or minimise damage from pest and disease such as tomatoes with (Tagetes) marigolds and the corn/bean combination that has been historically designed by first nation Americans.  Garlic is also a great plant for keeping away certain pests.   

Permaculture looks to mimic nature in agricultural design and breaks up the idea of monocultural planting.  Gaia's Garden by Toby Hemenway is a book I am looking to get soon for a yard-level approach to permaculture design.  Good introductions can be found in books by people such as Graham Burnett, Patrick Whitefield and Ross Mars.  'Forest Gardening' by Robert Hart is an utter classic for inspiration, as is the aforementioned 'One Straw Revolution' which is as much about how to live your life as growing food!

Permalink Reply by Occupixie on January 8, 2012 at 19:19

@Laurel, heya, the link to the books section is on the main page (on the right side), as well as other pages; links, documentaries etc :) also that podcast sounds cool, can you link us to it? cheers

Permalink Reply by Laurel Avery on January 8, 2012 at 21:08

@Occupixie, I may be completely dense (which is certainly possible!) but all I can see on the right side of the main page are categories for photos, events, videos and blog posts. How am I missing the books section??

I'm not sure how one links podcasts here, but if you go into iTunes and type "Sustainable World Radio" into the search box (the podcast by Jill Cloutier) it will bring up a long list of interesting sustainability podcasts.

Permalink Reply by gael.bage on February 7, 2012 at 22:44

check out local roofs, check safety and load bearing, ,http://foodfromthesky.org.uk/what-lives-on-the-roof/ check local parks and volunteer, exodus of skilled park staff from london at the moment, many plants are decorative and edible, nut and fruit trees have pretty blossom in spring.etc etc.....many links on ythis group u can follow/.

Permalink Reply by Occupixie on February 7, 2012 at 23:48

@laurel look under the members images, inbetween the title bars for occupy organics (main section on the left) and photos (right side) - look for black bar saying pages, underneath are links to videos, books/guides, links and documentaries :)