A FOREST GARDEN YEAR Perennial crops for a changing climate by Martin Crawford

[MrAnthonyRizzo]

This is what needs to be done on farmland that is being lost to desertification. Soil needs the water retaining power of trees and a forest garden would provide the necessary biodiversity to prevent soil erosion and the effects of monoculture agriculture. What is even more amazing is that it can be done in such a short span of time. China could so benefit from this as could the American west coast which is quickly running out of water.

[hananokuni2580]

This is the epitome of efficiency in food production!

[MrHendo100]

@hananokuni2580 For permaculture to have a slight possibility of reducing world hunger it would mean the population would have to move from the citys to the countryside to produce their own food meaning more houses and more roads to be built! and therefore an astronomical amount of energy would be required to do so and finaly the coutryside would not be countryside anymore it would be an eyesore!!!

[hananokuni2580]

@MrHendo100 It is clear that not everyone will have enough land for a forest garden, but it is possible to raise food plants on very small plots of land - ¼ acre or less. For those living in apartments, growing plants on the balcony is an option. Rooftop gardening is yet another option.

Permaculture will not mean the end of the market economy - even as we know it. It just means that food production will become a bit more decentralized with its rise.

[hananokuni2580]

@MrHendo100 Finally, forest gardening has been practiced in many regions of the world, in many different eras of history. One example are the Kerala forest gardens and the Hawaiian ahupua'a system.

I encourage you to read "Introduction to Permaculture". This book will help you gain insight into permaculture's basic tenets and see why it has gained adherents in different parts of the world. Through permaculture I am discovering things about the natural world that I have not known before.

[MrHendo100]

Wot a load of rubbish! if people think permaculture is the future in farming and will feed the world then they are deluded!

[hananokuni2580]

@MrHendo100 Any system that mimics natural processes as closely and thoroughly as possible, is a superb system. Unfortunately, not everyone is well educated on how to integrate ecology and agriculture. Until the majority of people possess the required knowledge, permaculture and similar systems will spread at snail's pace ^^;

Also, if each family were allowed to take responsibility for its own food supply, world hunger would decrease.

[RobbieMac1983]

@2:40 he says bamPOO!

[beaucabane]

great video thanks for posting......anyone know where you can get siberian purslane seeds ?

[permalove1]

A small piece of trivia: the "sharp knife" is an Opinel, from France.

[yoodooright1968]

Wizzle Thump... Mollison (and David Holmgren) created Permaculture, Martin has pioneered and developed (but not invented) agroforestry, or forest gardening. Different things....

[hananokuni2580]

@yoodooright1968 True. Permaculture deals with a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from gardening to housing design to even human society. In short, it is a science dealing with how humanity relates to the natural world for the benefit of all. Forest gardening, even though by itself contains a very rich body of knowledge, can be considered a subset of permaculture.

[PersianPaladin]

This man has the knowledge to save a lot of lives.

[lofiunico]

Did anyone get the name of the last plant he mentions? I was trying to google it but I couldn't figure out how to spell it from his pronunciation

[rdxm]

He said "Siberian Purslane" (Claytonia sibirica) , which is apparently known rather as Pink Purslane or Siberian Miner's Lettuce.

[theproducegarden]

comfrey, herbacious, used for loads of things

[partyongarth420]

dudes got a huge browline just like me.. i always new i was part english..

[joeydr08]

Rajabarel: Try contacting the BBC to get hold of Farm for the Future. I don't think it's being sold on DVD, but the beeb will probably be able to get you a copy.

[Rajabarel]

Yes, and I would like DVD of the Farm for the Future programme by Rebecca Hosking. Anyone know if you can buy it?

[messageinthewaves1]

Try contacting permaculture magazine UK. I'm sure they can help

[permalove1]

@Rajabarel

A Farm for the Future is now posted on YouTube, in case you never acquired it... Of course you wouldn't have a hard copy, but you can view it anywhere there's an internet connection.

Peace.

Steve.

[yoodooright1968]

If ever there was someone who deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, it is Martin. A genius....

[WizzleThump]

@yoodooright1968 What about Bill Mollison, the man who taught him, as well as thousands across the world about the method HE CREATED for the last 25+ years?

I just don't see why a student deserves it instead of a teacher/creator.

Search his name, you'll find many more videos and websites about Bill.

Permaculture is the next big thing.

[goingtothedogs]

Great video. Will be buying the DVD and putting it into practice.

[dkram13]

a genius!