Monday, June 26, 2006

I have just finished planting some corn seedlings in the tiny front garden of our terraced house.The seedlings are in a central block, with sunflowers, poppies and swiss chard planted in and around them.
After doing a introduction to permaculture course 2 years ago, I told myself I would do a design for our front garden.I did the base map.Sat out there for quite a few hours and started to think about linkages between the house and the garden and the street in general.

As far as I got though was deciding that growing some food in the form of an annual (corn) in my front garden definetly fulfilled the serving-3-purposes permaculture function:
1.Food.2.Aesthetics-looks nice from house and street.3.Serves as a stimulation to discussion for passers by 'Ohh! is that corn?!'

Not quite the integrated design process that permaculture comprises but its a start.
And being in the front garden in the evening gives you a view of your street that you don't normally see.A world where you can chat to neighbours and passers by, where a street is not just a place to park cars or pass through en-route somewhere else.

1 comment:

Stuart and Gabrielle said...

Hi Limlam,
Thanks for your post on our blog. Just a book suggestion for you: have you read anything by Michael Guerra (e.g., The Edible Container Garden) who is an acknowledged expert on doing permaculture in small, urban spaces.
Do get our contact details from Phil & Sid and get in touch. Hope to see you in August.
Stuart