“If you grow good soil, everything else falls into place. You grow good plants, you grow good animals, you grow good people.” Permaculturist Brian Kerkvliet shows how he gently shapes soil to form ponds which overflow into connected swales (ditches on contour). They slow and retain water while distributing nutrients through the whole landscape. On the mound of soft earth dug out from one swale, he planted mostly edible cover crops, berry bushes and 25 fruit tree species in only three days. “We don’t till [the soil],” he says. “The worms till. The moles till. We find the niche where each element works the best.” Episode 267. [inspirationfarm.com]
Shaping Water and Soil at Inspiration Farm
By Janaia Donaldson, originally published by Peak Moment Television
June 18, 2014
Janaia Donaldson
Tags: building resilient food systems, permaculture, soil science
Related Articles
Luther Krueger: “Goldilocks Tech? A Solar Oven Overview”
By Nate Hagens, The Great Simplification
On this episode, Nate is joined by Solar Oven collector and educator Luther Krueger to discuss the ins and outs of solar cooking.
April 18, 2024
3 Old Technologies For A Sustainable Future
By The Last Farm, Adapt : Survive : Prevail
We don’t need high-tech innovation to create a sustainable future for humanity. In fact, all the tech we need to regenerate our ecosystem and provide a good life for all already exists.
April 17, 2024
Beyond legal personhood for the Whanganui River: Collaboration and pluralism in implementing the Te Awa Tupua Act
By Miriama Cribb, Elizabeth Macpherson, Axel Borchgrevink, Global Water Forum
In 2017, the Whanganui River in Aotearoa New Zealand was given the rights of a legal person under the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2017.
April 16, 2024