Hi Permies,

Before the hot weather of the summer hits us, I’ve been busy around my property with permaculture projects. I’ve had a couple of swales dug, and I’ve helped build a Taj Mahal of a chicken coop, largely with recycled materials from an older coop. These are just the first steps in both projects, which in turn, are also only a small part of the gradual implementation of the permaculture plan that I designed when I took my PDC.

Like many people with acreage and an interest in permaculture, I have an exceedingly long list of projects in various stages of development. The swales and the chicken coop have been at least two years in the planning, and it’s great to see them finally start to come to life. I’m also planning a project week at the start of October, where I will focus all my energies on the next priorities on the list. Some compost bays, the construction of my shade house, and a garden shed are all high on the list. It reminds me that we really should bring back Perma-blitzes. Perhaps we need a new model, with localised groups. If anyone is keen to help with that, I’m all ears. Anyway, I digress.

One of my favourite sayings when it comes to permaculture design is that “we overestimate what we can do in one year, and underestimate what we can do in five.” At the moment, I’m only about halfway into my five-year plan, and then I’ll probably start another one 😉

Swales for example have many stages. Having been shaped by one of the best swale diggers in the world, Danial Lawton, they must now be planted out. The next step is some nitrogen fixing cover crop, and then some larger pioneer species such as cassia and acacia, before planting some specimen and fruit trees next year. This approach, instead of rushing to plant trees in freshly turned earth, will reap rewards by letting the soil develop a thriving environment and also providing plenty of support species for the trees to grow up with. It’s a bit like a child having a thriving environment at home while also being surrounded by other friends and family. The most important aspect of this is of course the health of the soil. It supports all plant growth, and without a focus on its happiness, it’s naïve to expect the plants to thrive.

The chicken coop, as well, is only at Stage 1. It’s going to be the chooks’ Zone 0 so to speak, but Zone 1 has yet to be created. I want to make a system of runs off the back of the coop, so I can rotate their habitat and give the runs time to regenerate. So, when the chooks get up in the morning, it might be door 1 that is open, while door 2, leading to another run, is closed for cover crop regeneration. Again, the key principle is the health and happiness of the chooks, rather than the benefits we will personally receive. I might get them to work up some compost for me while they are lounging around, but that’s not something they will complain about.

The integration and maturation of various systems in a nature focussed human environment is a lovely thing to be a part of. When I implement systems, I try to see them as they will be in the future, as some of my endeavours will be best enjoyed by future generations. Good things take time, and while the pecan tree I planted recently will turn into a mighty tree and might live to be three hundred years old, I won’t be so lucky. But that’s the thing with permaculture, at least for me. It makes me aware of that longer time scale, and that much of the planning, preparation and implementation of our family and agricultural spaces are not just for our immediate enjoyment, but also for the benefit and enjoyment of the coming generations. That provides a sense of purpose for me, and a feeling of solace that my children and grandchildren might get to enjoy the fruits of my labour for many years to come.

Geoff Powell

President