Green permaculture in the smallest spaces

What's the problem?

Large quantities of greenhouse gases are produced by food production due to inefficient land use as well as imports of food and animal feed from abroad.

What's the measure?

Set up permaculture even in the smallest spaces.

How can this be implemented?

In permaculture, different elements are combined intentionally. To create a (tiny) permacultural garden, one can choose to work on a piece of soil, a high bed, tubs, boxes or anything similar. Nevertheless, the smaller the container, the more awareness has to be put on the ground moisture. Later on, there'll be more explanation on the meaning of permaculture, references on literature and recommendations for further education.

1. Low maintenance on 1m² area: In autumn, plant a fruit bush and cover the remaining area 20 cm high loosely with hay as mulch material (or other existing organic material), leaving the trunk free. 1x per year can be harvested. Maintenance work: Apply hay mulch 20 cm high once every autumn and cut back if necessary. For potted plants, regular watering must be ensured.

2. Little more maintenance on 1m² area: In spring plant herbs. Here it is important to factor in the location conditions of the desired herbs.

Harvest: from spring to autumn. Maintenances: mulch flat several times a season (always keep the ground covered) and cut back if necessary. Remains of herbaceous plants from cutting back or from the kitchen can be used as mulch material.

3. More maintenance on 1m² area:

Plant and seed vegetables in spring. Here it is important to pay attention to the location conditions, space requirements and possible crop rotation of the desired vegetables. With e.g. three times 1m² the crop rotation and the use of green manure can be easily implemented. Harvesting: from early summer, depending on the varieties, until winter. Maintenance work: mulch flat several times during the season (always keep the ground covered), reseed as desired. Remains of the vegetable plants or from the kitchen can be used as mulch material (leave seeded strips free) or, e.g. for zucchini in autumn before, hay mulch 80 cm high on the whole area. Hay mulch: if a small green area is available, it can be produced by yourself. Alternatively, you can ask a trusted farmer*. Otherwise straw mixed with compost or dung or leaves or wood chips can be used. The point is to use existing resources.

How does this counteract climate change?

__1. __

• No transportation and no packaging needed for fruits planted yourself

2.

• No transportation and no packaging for these food products
• Storage of CO₂ by root mass and prevention of soil erosion

3.

• No transportation and no packaging for these food products

Which other effects does the measure have?

__1. __ Due to hay mulch:

• Habitat and food for soil creatures and insects
• CO₂ Storage
• Moist soil climate even in dry seasons

Due to the orchard:

• Root mass, that prevents soil erosion
• Habitat and food for insects
• Food for you and other people, you want to give it to and for birds and insects

2. Due to different herbs:

• Diversity and Freshness on your meal menu
• Diversity and therefore food and habitat for insects

Due to mulching:

• Habitat and food for soil creatures and insects
• Root mass, that prevents soil erosion
• moist soil climate even during dry seasons

3. Due to different vegetables:

• Diversity and Freshness on your meal menu
• Diversity and therefore food and habitat for insects

Due to mulching:

• Habitat and food for soil creatures and insects
• Root mass, that prevents soil erosion
• moist soil climate even during dry seasons

Problems of social, global and intergenerational justice

It is necessary to have access to land, even if it is very small, which tends to be granted only to the better-off sections of society.

Further literature, sources

Recommondation of literature:

• „Gärtnern im Biotop mitMensch“ –Gerda Kleber, Eduard W. Kleber, ISBN 978-3-922201-31-1
• „Permakultur im Hausgarten“– Jonas Gampe, ISBN 978-3-936896-90-9
• „Anders gärtnern“ –Margit Rusch, ISBN 978-3-936896-52-7
• „Get Growing“ – GreenFriends Initiative, Deutsche Ausgabe, ISBN 978-3-933852-55-7

Recommondations for further education:

• Permakultur (Permaculture) – Akademie,Germany; www.permakultur.de