Urban Permaculture

[ielopez531]

Perhaps plants are peaceful, but they aren't as helpless as they seem. They compete and 'communicate' with other plants. For example, some plants can secrete chemicals that impede the growth of other plants, such as the acidity that pine trees create around their bases from the chemicals in falling needles. Creeping vines can seem to 'suffocate' other plants. It's actually very fascinating.

[Helioforge]

When we study the world through the clogged filter of language, we cannot understand its inherent complexity, and can only impose upon it.

When we study things directly, the tangible world becomes our library, and we learn to act in responsible negotiation with the greater world.

[johnlvs2run]

The shows a few plants being put in pots, some people saying they love plants, there is nothing about permaculture and it's a total waste of time.

[rudibega]

@johnlvs2run Hmmm, I see them mimicking natural systems by using rock and then gravel then sand in the bottom of that re-used tub. Isn't mimmicking natural patterns and systems what permaculture is all about?

[rudibega]

Secondly, I know the folks who ate that food. They ate food they grew. And you call that a waste of time. I think cutting down positive actions is the real waste of time here. I hope you have time to do something positive and radical with your time someday...

[kellaneric]

Vegans kill too. Do you not look upon plants as living things? Just like Animals? Or are Animals above plants so you cant kill them? Whats the deal hear?

[lordskudder]

You just don't get it. I'm not a vegan but I can tell you this, it's more to do with flowing with nature than it is eating plants. If you'd hunt down a cow, kill it and then eat it, most vegans wouldn't object. As for your question - you don't necessarily have to kill any plant, you can eat fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains and nuts - all of which the plant willingly gives away in hopes of pollination. However, it is also not unreasonable to state that plants might not feel pain as animals do.

[Plozen]

Principals of Permaculture can be applied to agriculture, but I prefer typical rows.

[Dboy66]

Melo: in answer to your original question, "permaculture" is basically a brand name, you might say, of various procedures that you may already know, along with some 'big picture' ideas, some site-specific concepts (like how to to rainwater capture given a specific ground shape),etc. I really don't think you have to take a class to learn these concepts, as the asians for instance have been doing this for hundreds of years, they just don't write books about it:-). Google for some reading. dboy

[simonmandala]

jeez.of course permaculture's not 'new'. That's the whole point. Its an intelligent sysnthesis of what's proven to work. I really do despair sometimes. Yes you don't have to go on a course to learn the concepts- maybe you can go visit 'the asians' and they will tell you. You want to start practicing permaculture?- find your local community supported agriclture scheme, volunteer for it, join a L.E.T.S scheme if there is one and take your money out of global banks and put it in your credit union

[meloearth]

Gorsh, can I find ONE video here that teaches how to do Permaculture and not just a bunch of babbling ABOUT it???? Sigh.

[rudibega]

Take a permaculture class. Sheesh!

[meloearth]

Class? Spend money? Um, I'm a self-taught kinda gal. The advice is as good as this video.

[rudibega]

Comedy. its like the internet cant take a joke. Anywayz... I could care less about your criticism, wheres your cool movie you did for free to spread goodness? I busted my a$% to make free films around the country and bring positivity to the communities. And our format was short movies... I made that thing in 1 day, and had it uploaded to sf.indymedia that night. So sad activists pick each other apart when the real problems are so obvious. Really, I was kidding.

[meloearth]

I can take jokes. Problem with the Net is that unless you add a smiley face, no one knows you are kidding. And it looks like you deleted or didn't post my previous reply, so now this reply is out of context.

All I said, in many vids (not just this one), is that no one seems to be teaching how-to. I didn't criticize your vid, per se. I'm trying to learn this method cuz I know already that's good for the Earth, etc. Maybe you can add some vids on how-to? I'll be happy to watch. ;)

[rudibega]

I didn't realize that your comment did't show up. Sorry boiuot that. Its cool. I dont do Permaculture for a living I guess. I live in Arcata and dont have the space of my own at this time. Soon come I hope. Good luck on your search for how too-s. And there is a lot of Free courses. Plus, what's wrong with spending money. Often the tools and supplies to do good work, even Permaculture, need purchased. like my laptop and camera to make movies. Sadly... Nothings free xcept for love. namaste.

[meloearth]

Nothing's wrong wits spending $ - IF I had it (LOL). But there are a ton of free resources and I try to tap on those first. Yes, good tools are all too important for any job.

Hmm...I'm not sure love is free, haha! ...hasn't been my experience. You pay, somehow, sometimes a very high price. But that's another subject all together. :D

Take care :)

[rudibega]

Agreed. Correction. Unconditional love is Free.

[prokidsco]

John 3:16.

True love did cost

[rudibega]

But am sad to see how critical we all are of each other, just cause its the internet and we dont have to live in the same town and see each others faces and be human. It seems the activist movement is way too self conscious, so PC, and quick to point finger at ourselves, when the real problems are so obvious. Anyone else feeling me here? Where's the compassion. Its like we went too far with making sure everything is ideal. Im over it. You can find me chillin. Not stressing and criticising.

[edyersh]

I'm hearing ya. At our little space the Anti-Oppression zealots have turned inward and started a witchhunt.

[wenrolland]

Right on brother! Just relax, it will all become clear. I get my fingers in the dirt and work it with love. Nature is the best teacher :)

[permalove1]

@rudibega

I feel you.. permaculture is about mimicking natural patterns and adapting over time. Acceptance is key.

Reflecting on the tao (Bill Mollison describes the permaculture philosophy as being much like taoism), we can see that trying to get it "perfect" is tense and rigid, not flowing and workable.

Having said that, we do well do remember that permaculture is as much about observation as it is action.

Balance.

Peace and love,

Steve.

[FancyPantsElitist]

There are a lot of youtubes that explain things. There are also... wait for it... BOOKS.

[Outpost206]

What are these 'books' you speak of?

[Ullbritt]

WAT IS DAT!? I WANT TO NO!

[FartheadOgre]

Damn these people are real space cadets! Good work though, at least they want to make a change for the better.

[SCODgreenhood]

Great green video! *****

[uglyfacedcat]

The vegan girl looks very skinny. and high.

[distressed7]

Yeh most meat eaters are obese, sick and low.

[FartheadOgre]

No way! Propaganda!

[nicangel2007]

Check out the "Solviva" book- glasshouse and chicken can keep you warm ;o). And Geoff Lawton here on Youtube.

[yogiudo]

i live in Canada, its cold here. How will I keep warm in the winter?

[theofrastvs]

Get a main squeeze, make some heat. ;-)

[malsprower1]

two thumbs up for permaculture!

[jeffery19677]

How about labeling this vid Cheerleaders for vegetatianism.Explain what you are doing. We know the ladies like plants "cause they are peaceful and they can teach us how to live with the earth." It appears that "community gardening" is a more accurate description.

I applaud your desire to make the world a better place. I would love to discuss this more via e-mail. jeffery19677 I am at yahoo

[namniekib]

Have you ever heard of biodynamics?If so ,how does it vary from permaculture?

[Merlmabase]

Hey, I've been involved with an urban agriculture project in Montreal, and I was wondering about something in this video... I saw someone filling a barrel with torn cardboard, then filling it over with earth to plant. What's the purpose of this? We've got planters with a separate water basin below the earth with a column to wick moisture up to the plant, does this work in a similar fashion? Thanks!

[CityzenJane]

Its a really nice thing to do -- but how is it 'permaculture'...

[rudibega]

From Wikipedia - Permaculture design principles extend from the position that "The only ethical decision is to take responsibility for our own existence and that of our children" (Mollison, 1990). The intent was that, by rapidly training individuals in a core set of design principles, those individuals could become designers of their own environments and able to build increasingly self-sufficient human settlements.

[FancyPantsElitist]

That's the idea behind it, however in implementation it's a lot more complicated. I live on a cooperative here in Santa Cruz Co., and though we are not 100% permaculture, we are working on things to get closer to the ideal everyday. We are studying beekeeping right now, raise chickens, have alpacas... We love to compost, and we all have gardens.

[rudibega]

I believe that these permanent curbside gardens are far more sustainable to the supermarket alternative. Also... Bio-remediation was used extensively during the activity in areas of soil contamination... while food crops were grown in clean new dirt in halved wine barrels and bath tubs. the tubs as you can see in the video, are layered to mimic natural drainage situations. Essentially, we helped bring an example of Urban Permaculture to select low income communities in the Bay area.

[CityzenJane]

All good - I didn't mean to sound critical...I just wondered how it differed from guerilla gardening...permaculture in my mind is much more involved... which is not to say that what you are doing here isn't FANTASTIC!

[FancyPantsElitist]

I think one could say, it's a start. Of course permaculture involves a lot more than just planting things in pots, but it's a start! Anything to get young people to garden is fantastic, in my opinion.