In December, PC Swaziland volunteers along with counterparts from our community, received a three day hands-on training from Peter Jensen, permagarden specialist. Peter helped us create climate-smart, nutrition focused permanent gardens!
What is it permagardening? To put it simply, it’s permanent gardening. It uses local resources to build and sustain the garden.
Patti, aka Permagarden Goddess, aka PC Volunteer, came out to my site to help me! She is so lovely!
We double dug the berms and garden beds 50 cm to allow for greater water storage and deep roots. We then added amendments such as ash (minerals), brown material – soil, dead leaves, sticks, cow manure (carbon) and green material – (nitrogen) to help improve the soil. By adding these amendments, you add more air, water, and minerals essential for plant growth and deep roots.
I love the permagarden approach. I can’t wait to grow healthy, nutritious, food year round and teach this to members in my community!
I am currently growing butternut squash, broccoli, tomatoes, and spinach. I will keep you updated on the fruits of my labor.
Akirah and I at Vickerys Seedlings!
Useful vocabulary:
Berms: boundaries around your garden. It also helps slow the water.
Swales: space between large holes (holes are also used to collect water).
Beds: where crops are planted.
Double digging: beds are dug to a depth of 40-50 cm. Amendments are spread and mixed in soil (ash, charcoal, manure, dried eggs sheels, green and brown material).
Plant spacing: use triangular spacing (using sticks are fine) to maximize bed usage.
Mulch: retains moisture for the garden bed.
Compost: is a conditioner and adds air and water to the soil. It also feeds the soil.
The World Outside My Window 