permaculture

Fruit Walls: Urban Farming in the 1600s

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Hundreds of kilometers of fruit walls were built in Europe during the 1600s-1800s to boost fruit production.
Hundreds of kilometers of fruit walls were built in Europe during the 1600s-1800s to boost fruit production.

This is an amazing story recommended by Jim, one of our long time readers and supporters. So many things such as fruit walls are being forgotten due to the prevalence of relatively affordable energy.

“We are being told to eat local and seasonal food, either because other crops have been transported over long distances, or because they are grown in energy-intensive greenhouses. But it wasn’t always like that. From the sixteenth to the twentieth century, urban farmers grew Mediterranean fruits and vegetables as far north as England and the Netherlands, using only renewable energy.

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Underground Greenhouse – Bozeman Montana

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“This is a partially underground greenhouse we use at Saddle Peak Farm & Vineyard to start, grow, overwinter, and propagate plants. This year we have tomatoes using the extra summer space, hoping they last until December. In this update, I show them off, as well as some dwarf citrus trees, water plants, and carnivorous plants (Venus Fly Traps and Pitcher plants). Enjoy!”

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Permaculture Food Forest in New Zealand

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“The Guytons started planting their food forest in 1998 on two acres of bare land in Riverton, New Zealand. This style of gardening was new to Southland so their neighbours did not approve. Now it is an established food forest with hundreds (460!) of different plant species. Fruit and nut trees, berries and herbs and wild plants all blended together in a productive and sustainable way. This short video introduces concepts of permaculture.”

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Beautiful 1 Acre Small Scale Permaculture Farm

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“A tour of Limestone Permaculture Farm in New South Wales, Australia. The 1 acre property has been developed into a productive permaculture farm that is currently helping to feed around 50 families. The tour includes a look at the orchard, caravan farm gate, chicken and duck areas, and the shade house.”

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Restoring Degraded Land With Weeds

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“When we started our farm, there were so many prickly “touch me nots” (impatiens or “shy plant)) that we were obliged to wear shoes at all times. Now, with the help of nutrient cycling, our garden has been transformed into a BAREFOOT GARDEN. Here’s how…”

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Miracle Farms, a 5-acre commercial permaculture orchard in Southern Quebec

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“Twenty years ago, Stefan Sobkowiak bought a commercial apple orchard with the intention of converting it to an organic orchard. He did just that, but eventually understood the limitations of the organic model originating from monoculture. He then decided to tear out most of the trees and replant in a way that would maximize biodiversity and yield while minimizing the amount of maintenance required. Inspired by permaculture principles, the orchard now counts over 100 cultivars of apples, plus several types of plums, pears, cherries, and countless other fruits and vegetables.”

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