Permaculture is a sustainable way to live human in harmony with nature following ecological principles that found in nature. Permaculture is applicable in almost every living area. It's well known in supplying sustainable food production. The permaculture farm is a way to grow fruits, vegetables and various other edible vegetation of forest origin. It is an old idea but getting more attraction in this modern era. Farming forest food in Garden and orchards in a well-managed way gives nice production. In wild these plants differ a lot and may not be easily available and difficult to harvest. These forest plants take sometimes to adapt to a new environment, once they do they maintain themselves and adapted they provide much more food than the traditional gardens.
Permaculture focused on smart work, not harder, reduce waste, control pollution, water waste & energy waste. Permaculture is best for the world with constrained energy and natural resources. Permaculture emphasis on perennial crops after a favorable environment obtained with plantation of starter plant. Permaculture ethics includes earth care with lots of resources for the dependent people for making their living, people care to the environment that people depend on and fair share of resources of Earth for personal consumptions equitable.
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| Permaculture Farm: Food Forest |
How to set up Permaculture Farming?
Instead of immediately buy fruit trees and plant them, First, of edaphic factors need to be considered ie. soil properties like texture, nutrient availability, porosity, water holding capacity, etc. along with a lot of knowledge about which species best fitted the reason and patience for long term projects. The larger the area the better for forest plant. The main concern should be given to develop good nutrient soil. When the plant gets good nutrient soil to grow then it grows vigorously. Nature develop nutrient through the dead leaves from trees that slowly composting and turning into dirt. In orchards, traditionally dead leaves are frequently removed and use fertilizers instead. To create a sustainable permaculture farm, the cultivation environment should similar to that of nature. For providing a natural environment the land is heavily mulch and give enough time to decompose.When the soil is well composted and watered then it is ready to plant the first plant to permaculture farm. The first plant should be fast and easy to grow that means it's hardy before investing in sophisticated and highly sensitive plants or trees. Let the plant grows vigorously like a weed for months and years that will help to make the soil more hospitable to other following plants growing in the land in the future. Creating better microclimate, blocking hard winds and moderating temperature are the other additional function of starter plants.
Eventually, forest fruit starts to produce a yield in a permaculture farm. Gradually you can grow larger fruit trees. The fruit tree should be capable of naturally grown in areas of a permaculture farm. Special care should be provided to the fruit trees during establishing years as the areas my not cent percent suitable for the plant and but after a year, the soil becomes better and the tree becomes stronger and well established thus, can grow on its own. No need to care that much in later years.
The trees give yields rest of the years than different kind of plants like small trees, bushes, small plants and herbs can be grown in same environment under food forest in layers. Adding up the layers the production of permaculture farm increase geometrically in comparision with the food grown in traditional way. It's appears like a forest rather than a orchard with full of valuable species. After year or two the annual or biannual plant grown in the beginning can be removed. Building a food forest is time-consuming but when completed it's a continuous source of nutritious food best quality. This connects people to nature.
