Plants, animals and pollinators
Plants, animals and pollinators
Claude Monet
Claude Monet
Based on the knowledge you already have what is the differences between permaculture and organic farming?
Based on the knowledge you already have what is the differences between permaculture and organic farming?
In the fields of traditional agriculture, only one type of plant grows each year. If that plant variety is susceptible to pests or disease, and one of the plants becomes diseased, it will spread and kill the entire field. Traditional agriculture relies on pesticides to protect their fields.
Surprisingly, many organic systems also grow in monoculture, like this organically certified field of strawberries. Organic certification only certifies that the fertilizers and pesticides used are not harmful to humans, unlike conventional agriculture. However, producing certified organic food can be just as damaging to the soil and environment.
This is why permaculture food producers call their products beyond organic because they are safe for humans and restorative for the environment. Stefan Subkowiak has a Beyond Organic garden in Canada, and you can follow his YouTube channel if you want to learn more about the Beyond Organic movement.
In the fields of traditional agriculture, only one type of plant grows each year. If that plant variety is susceptible to pests or disease, and one of the plants becomes diseased, it will spread and kill the entire field. Traditional agriculture relies on pesticides to protect their fields.
Surprisingly, many organic systems also grow in monoculture, like this organically certified field of strawberries. Organic certification only certifies that the fertilizers and pesticides used are not harmful to humans, unlike conventional agriculture. However, producing certified organic food can be just as damaging to the soil and environment.
This is why permaculture food producers call their products beyond organic because they are safe for humans and restorative for the environment. Stefan Subkowiak has a Beyond Organic garden in Canada, and you can follow his YouTube channel if you want to learn more about the Beyond Organic movement.
Surprisingly, many organic systems also grow in monoculture, like this organically certified field of strawberries. Organic certification only certifies that the fertilizers and pesticides used are not harmful to humans, unlike conventional agriculture. However, producing certified organic food can be just as damaging to the soil and environment.
This is why permaculture food producers call their products beyond organic because they are safe for humans and restorative for the environment. Stefan Subkowiak has a Beyond Organic garden in Canada, and you can follow his YouTube channel if you want to learn more about the Beyond Organic movement.
Permaculture Principle #10: Use and value diversity:
Geoff Lawton is an Australian permaculture consultant, designer, and teacher. He has educated over 15,000 students about permaculture worldwide. Geoff says that future food security depends on food forests, which have the same diversity as natural forests, but instead of native species, have plants that produce food for humans. In this video, he shows a 40-year-old food forest in Massachusetts with a cold climate like Armenia. It requires minimal maintenance and produces a large and diverse yield in a small space.
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Permaculture Principle #10: Use and value diversity:
Geoff Lawton is an Australian permaculture consultant, designer, and teacher. He has educated over 15,000 students about permaculture worldwide. Geoff says that future food security depends on food forests, which have the same diversity as natural forests, but instead of native species, have plants that produce food for humans. In this video, he shows a 40-year-old food forest in Massachusetts with a cold climate like Armenia. It requires minimal maintenance and produces a large and diverse yield in a small space.
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Forest systems are more productive than industrial agriculture because a diverse community of organisms can occupy a small space, each in a different layer. Permaculturists often use the 7-layer method inspired by natural forests to ensure space is being used efficiently while maximizing biodiversity. The 7 layers are:
1. The root layer within the soil. The major components of this layer are the soil and the organisms that live within it, such as plant roots. In permaculture, this layer is occupied by root crops such as potatoes, carrots and fungi, insects, nematodes, worms, etc, occupy this layer.
2. The soil surface/ground cover layer consists of plants that grow close to the ground, fill bare patches, and can tolerate being walked on. An example is cover crops which protect the soil from the sun and wind, fertilize it with nitrogen and organic matter and prevent erosion
1. The root layer within the soil. The major components of this layer are the soil and the organisms that live within it, such as plant roots. In permaculture, this layer is occupied by root crops such as potatoes, carrots and fungi, insects, nematodes, worms, etc, occupy this layer.
2. The soil surface/ground cover layer consists of plants that grow close to the ground, fill bare patches, and can tolerate being walked on. An example is cover crops which protect the soil from the sun and wind, fertilize it with nitrogen and organic matter and prevent erosion
3. Herbaceous layer plants don't have woody stems but are taller than groundcover plants. Many beneficial plants, such as culinary and medicinal herbs, are in this layer, such as mint.
4. The shrub layer has small woody perennials. This layer includes most berry bushes.
5. The understory layer has trees that grow under bigger trees. These don't get a lot of sunlight, so shade-tolerant varieties are needed, but this layer can also be supported by the mycorrhizal fungi you read about in the soil lesson. So if the soil is healthy, the canopy plants that get more sun can support all the other layers that grow in more shady layers.
4. The shrub layer has small woody perennials. This layer includes most berry bushes.
5. The understory layer has trees that grow under bigger trees. These don't get a lot of sunlight, so shade-tolerant varieties are needed, but this layer can also be supported by the mycorrhizal fungi you read about in the soil lesson. So if the soil is healthy, the canopy plants that get more sun can support all the other layers that grow in more shady layers.
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Forest systems are more productive than industrial agriculture because a diverse community of organisms can occupy a small space, each in a different layer. Permaculturists often use the 7-layer method inspired by natural forests to ensure space is being used efficiently while maximizing biodiversity. The 7 layers are:
1. The root layer within the soil. The major components of this layer are the soil and the organisms that live within it, such as plant roots. In permaculture, this layer is occupied by root crops such as potatoes, carrots and fungi, insects, nematodes, worms, etc, occupy this layer.
2. The soil surface/ground cover layer consists of plants that grow close to the ground, fill bare patches, and can tolerate being walked on. An example is cover crops which protect the soil from the sun and wind, fertilize it with nitrogen and organic matter and prevent erosion
1. The root layer within the soil. The major components of this layer are the soil and the organisms that live within it, such as plant roots. In permaculture, this layer is occupied by root crops such as potatoes, carrots and fungi, insects, nematodes, worms, etc, occupy this layer.
2. The soil surface/ground cover layer consists of plants that grow close to the ground, fill bare patches, and can tolerate being walked on. An example is cover crops which protect the soil from the sun and wind, fertilize it with nitrogen and organic matter and prevent erosion
3. Herbaceous layer plants don't have woody stems but are taller than groundcover plants. Many beneficial plants, such as culinary and medicinal herbs, are in this layer, such as mint.
4. The shrub layer has small woody perennials. This layer includes most berry bushes.
5. The understory layer has trees that grow under bigger trees. These don't get a lot of sunlight, so shade-tolerant varieties are needed, but this layer can also be supported by the mycorrhizal fungi you read about in the soil lesson. So if the soil is healthy, the canopy plants that get more sun can support all the other layers that grow in more shady layers.
4. The shrub layer has small woody perennials. This layer includes most berry bushes.
5. The understory layer has trees that grow under bigger trees. These don't get a lot of sunlight, so shade-tolerant varieties are needed, but this layer can also be supported by the mycorrhizal fungi you read about in the soil lesson. So if the soil is healthy, the canopy plants that get more sun can support all the other layers that grow in more shady layers.
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6. The canopy consists of the tallest trees such as chestnut trees. They shouldn't be too densely planted so enough sun reaches the lower layers.
7. In food forests, the vertical layer consists of vines such as grapes and hardy kiwi. In vegetable gardens, beans can be considered the vertical layer, although in forest systems, they would be considered the herbaceous layer.
* If the mulch is inoculated with spawn of edible mushrooms such as oyster or wine-cap mushrooms, there can also be a fungal layer.
7. In food forests, the vertical layer consists of vines such as grapes and hardy kiwi. In vegetable gardens, beans can be considered the vertical layer, although in forest systems, they would be considered the herbaceous layer.
* If the mulch is inoculated with spawn of edible mushrooms such as oyster or wine-cap mushrooms, there can also be a fungal layer.
The building blocks of food forest ecosystems can be made using this model. These building blocks are called guilds. A guild is a mutually beneficial group of species occupying all layers with maximum biodiversity in a small area. Plants that will benefit each other are placed together to form symbiotic relationships and result in healthier plants. Guilds also include the animals and insects that will be attracted to the site.
Different components of the guild can have different purposes. Some examples are food production, drawing nutrients from deep in the soil through tap roots, balancing nitrogen levels in the soil (legumes), attracting beneficial insects to the garden, and repelling undesirable insects or pests.
Food forests are made by combining many guilds.
Different components of the guild can have different purposes. Some examples are food production, drawing nutrients from deep in the soil through tap roots, balancing nitrogen levels in the soil (legumes), attracting beneficial insects to the garden, and repelling undesirable insects or pests.
Food forests are made by combining many guilds.
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6. The canopy consists of the tallest trees such as chestnut trees. They shouldn't be too densely planted so enough sun reaches the lower layers.
7. In food forests, the vertical layer consists of vines such as grapes and hardy kiwi. In vegetable gardens, beans can be considered the vertical layer, although in forest systems they would be considered the herbaceous layer.
* If the mulch is inoculated with spawn of edible mushrooms such as oyster or wine-cap mushrooms, there can also be a fungal layer.
7. In food forests, the vertical layer consists of vines such as grapes and hardy kiwi. In vegetable gardens, beans can be considered the vertical layer, although in forest systems they would be considered the herbaceous layer.
* If the mulch is inoculated with spawn of edible mushrooms such as oyster or wine-cap mushrooms, there can also be a fungal layer.
The building blocks of food forest ecosystems can be made using this model. These building blocks are called guilds. A guild is a mutually beneficial group of species occupying all layers with maximum biodiversity in a small area. Plants that will benefit each other are placed together to form symbiotic relationships and result in healthier plants. Guilds also include the animals and insects that will be attracted to the site.
Different components of the guild can have different purposes. Some examples are food production, drawing nutrients from deep in the soil through tap roots, balancing nitrogen levels in the soil (legumes), attracting beneficial insects to the garden, and repelling undesirable insects or pests.
Food forests are made by combining many guilds.
Different components of the guild can have different purposes. Some examples are food production, drawing nutrients from deep in the soil through tap roots, balancing nitrogen levels in the soil (legumes), attracting beneficial insects to the garden, and repelling undesirable insects or pests.
Food forests are made by combining many guilds.
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Did you know that most chickens are kept in small cages and fed grain that has been grown with artificial fertilizers (monoculture) destroying the soil?
Karl Hammer from the Compost Company has shown that the same thing can be done on a large industrial scale. He has 600 chickens and feeds them only composting organic waste from the community, and they produce 300 eggs a day that goes to the community. This makes it a perfect closed-loop, no-waste permaculture system. The community's waste becomes their food.
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Some claim that this is the most efficient way of keeping chickens. Sean Dembrosky at Edible Acres has shown that chickens can be more efficient in a permaculture system. Besides making eggs and meat, they only eat free food waste from the community and convert it into compost. This results in happy free-range chickens, healthy food, a zero waste system, and more diverse yields!
Some claim that this is the most efficient way of keeping chickens. Sean Dembrosky at Edible Acres has shown that chickens can be more efficient in a permaculture system. Besides making eggs and meat, they only eat free food waste from the community and convert it into compost. This results in happy free-range chickens, healthy food, a zero waste system, and more diverse yields!
Karl Hammer from the Compost Company has shown that the same thing can be done on a large industrial scale. He has 600 chickens and feeds them only composting organic waste from the community, and they produce 300 eggs a day that goes to the community. This makes it a perfect closed-loop, no-waste permaculture system. The community's waste becomes their food.
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Shaun Dembroski of Edible Acres shows off his chickens and composting system
Carl Hammer feeds his 600 chickens only organic scraps
Shaun Dembroski of Edible Acres shows off his chickens and composting system
Carl Hammer feeds his 600 chickens only organic scraps
Another permaculture system for chickens and other small birds like ducks is the chicken tractor system. Every few weeks, the system is moved so that the chickens fertilize the grass and trees without damaging them. It is also good for the chickens as they always have a new clean place with fresh food.
In the video below, the owner of the chicken tractor got tired of moving it by hand and decided to modify the device to use solar energy to move on its own.
In the video below, the owner of the chicken tractor got tired of moving it by hand and decided to modify the device to use solar energy to move on its own.
Another permaculture system for chickens and other small birds like ducks is the chicken tractor system. Every few weeks, the system is moved so that the chickens fertilize the grass and trees without damaging them. It is also good for the chickens as they always have a new clean place with fresh food.
In the video below, the owner of the chicken tractor got tired of moving it by hand and decided to modify the device to use solar energy to move on its own.
In the video below, the owner of the chicken tractor got tired of moving it by hand and decided to modify the device to use solar energy to move on its own.
How do you think larger animals like horses and cows can be involved in such a permaculture system?
How do you think larger animals, such as horses and cows, can be involved in such a permaculture system?
In fact, proper organization of grazing is an important issue.
If Anna allows animals to remain in an area for too long, they may over-consume local vegetation, damaging plant roots and reducing the amount of forage available for later grazing. Furthermore, animals can compact the soil, making it difficult for plants to grow and reducing the soil's ability to absorb and retain water.
Undergrazing should also be avoided. If Anna moves the animals too often, they will not be able to use the vegetation equally, resulting in patches of overgrown grass or weeds that can reduce forage quality.
If Anna allows animals to remain in an area for too long, they may over-consume local vegetation, damaging plant roots and reducing the amount of forage available for later grazing. Furthermore, animals can compact the soil, making it difficult for plants to grow and reducing the soil's ability to absorb and retain water.
Undergrazing should also be avoided. If Anna moves the animals too often, they will not be able to use the vegetation equally, resulting in patches of overgrown grass or weeds that can reduce forage quality.
When Anna from Tennessee started keeping pets, the animals ate all the grass and Anna had to re-seed the soil every year. Now she uses rotational grazing, in which he divides the pasture into smaller pieces and moves the animals every week. Rotational grazing requires a system of fences and gates to move animals from patch to patch. If fences are not properly maintained, animals can escape or enter the wrong area. With rotational grazing, each area is grazed and fertilized by the animals for only a few weeks, and the rest of the year is regenerated.
Rotational grazing
Rotational grazing
What did you learn about the main differences between permaculture and organic farming?
What did you learn about the main differences between permaculture and organic farming?
What do you know about bee hives, how does it work, and why do bees sometimes need our help?
What do you know about bee hives, how does it work, and why do bees sometimes need our help?
Swarms of bees are more commonly found hanging from trees. If you find them, put on a bee suit, shake them into a beehive or cardboard box, and close the lid, leaving only a small opening. As long as the queen falls in the box, the other bees will follow. Leave the box for 15 minutes. If the bees that hadn't fallen in don't start moving into the box and stay on the tree, it means you didn't get the queen the first time, so try shaking again and repeat this process until you get the queen and all the bees follow the queen into the box. If you are lucky enough to see the queen, put her into a queen cage and put the cage into the box. After a few minutes, all the bees will move into the box.
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In the video below, Sarah Mapelli dances with 10,000 bees on her body without getting stung. Did you know you can do it too? This swarm of bees left their hive because it was getting overpopulated. When beehives get too crowded half of the bees leave with the queen. The bees that stay make a new queen.
So these 10,000 bees are following their queen, which Sara has probably captured in a queen cage and attached to her body. Bees in swarms usually don't sting because they have no honey to protect so Sarah is relatively safe.
So these 10,000 bees are following their queen, which Sara has probably captured in a queen cage and attached to her body. Bees in swarms usually don't sting because they have no honey to protect so Sarah is relatively safe.
In the video below, Sarah Mapelli dances with 10,000 bees on her body without getting stung. Did you know you can do it too? This swarm of bees left their hive because it was getting overpopulated. When beehives get too crowded half of the bees leave with the queen. The bees that stay make a new queen.
So these 10,000 bees are following their queen, which Sara has probably captured in a queen cage and attached to her body. Bees in swarms usually don't sting because they have no honey to protect so Sarah is relatively safe.
So these 10,000 bees are following their queen, which Sara has probably captured in a queen cage and attached to her body. Bees in swarms usually don't sting because they have no honey to protect so Sarah is relatively safe.
Swarms of bees are more commonly found hanging from trees. If you find them, put on a bee suit, shake them into a beehive or cardboard box, and close the lid, leaving only a small opening. As long as the queen falls in the box, the other bees will follow. Leave the box for 15 minutes. If the bees that hadn't fallen in don't start moving into the box and stay on the tree, it means you didn't get the queen the first time, so try shaking again and repeat this process until you get the queen and all the bees follow the queen into the box. If you are lucky enough to see the queen, put her into a queen cage and put the cage into the box. After a few minutes, all the bees will move into the box.
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Now you have your hive of bees. Let's see how the hive functions. To make sure the colony is doing well, it is good to inspect it every 2 weeks from spring to fall.
Always use a smoker during inspections to reduce the chance of injuring bees during inspections. The smoke works by mimicking a forest fire, so the bees run into the hive and start drinking as much honey as they can in case their hive burns down and they need to move to a different location. This gets them out of your way during inspections.
Always use a smoker during inspections to reduce the chance of injuring bees during inspections. The smoke works by mimicking a forest fire, so the bees run into the hive and start drinking as much honey as they can in case their hive burns down and they need to move to a different location. This gets them out of your way during inspections.
Here are the main things to look for during the inspections:
- Are there eggs? Since the queen is the only bee in the colony that can lay eggs, the presence of eggs means the queen is alive and you don't have to spend time looking for her. If there are no eggs, it means the queen may have died or left and the bees weren't able to make a new queen.
- Is there brood comb? Once the eggs hatch into larva, the worker bees feed the larva with bee bread, which is a mixture of nectar and pollen then they close the cells. When the bees are ready to come out they make a hole in the wax. Here is a picture of a bee being born.
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3. Are there queen cells? If the hive wants to replace its queen, they choose one of the eggs the old queen has laid, and instead of feeding it nectar and honey, they feed it royal jelly. This is what queen cells look like. There are usually many of them, and the queen that hatches first will destroy all the other queen cells before they hatch.
4. Is the honey capped? Bees bring nectar from flowers and flap their wings to dry it into honey. When the honey is dry enough, they put a wax cap on it. This means the honey can be harvested. If it is harvested before being capped, the moisture content will be too high and bacteria will grow in the honey, causing it to ferment.
4. Is the honey capped? Bees bring nectar from flowers and flap their wings to dry it into honey. When the honey is dry enough, they put a wax cap on it. This means the honey can be harvested. If it is harvested before being capped, the moisture content will be too high and bacteria will grow in the honey, causing it to ferment.
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5. Does the hive look healthy? Check for deformed wings as that may be caused my varoa mites. If you see worms and webs in the hive it may be wax moth larva that are eating the wax. If the brood doesn't look healthy it may have fungal or bacterial infections. You can do some research to understand what the problem is and how to fix it.
Now you have your hive of bees. Let's see how the hive functions. To make sure the colony is doing well, it is good to inspect it every 2 weeks from spring to fall.
Always use a smoker during inspections to reduce the chance of injuring bees during inspections. The smoke works by mimicking a forest fire, so the bees run into the hive and start drinking as much honey as they can in case their hive burns down and they need to move to a different location. This gets them out of your way during inspections.
Always use a smoker during inspections to reduce the chance of injuring bees during inspections. The smoke works by mimicking a forest fire, so the bees run into the hive and start drinking as much honey as they can in case their hive burns down and they need to move to a different location. This gets them out of your way during inspections.
Here are the main things to look for during the inspections:
- Are there eggs? Since the queen is the only bee in the colony that can lay eggs, the presence of eggs means the queen is alive and you don't have to spend time looking for her. If there are no eggs, it means the queen may have died or left and the bees weren't able to make a new queen.
- Is there brood comb? Once the eggs hatch into larva, the worker bees feed the larva with bee bread, which is a mixture of nectar and pollen then they close the cells. When the bees are ready to come out they make a hole in the wax. Here is a picture of a bee being born.
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3. Are there queen cells? If the hive wants to replace its queen, they choose one of the eggs the old queen has laid, and instead of feeding it nectar and honey, they feed it royal jelly. This is what queen cells look like. There are usually many of them, and the queen that hatches first will destroy all the other queen cells before they hatch.
4. Is the honey capped? Bees bring nectar from flowers and flap their wings to dry it into honey. When the honey is dry enough, they put a wax cap on it. This means the honey can be harvested. If it is harvested before being capped, the moisture content will be too high and bacteria will grow in the honey, causing it to ferment.
4. Is the honey capped? Bees bring nectar from flowers and flap their wings to dry it into honey. When the honey is dry enough, they put a wax cap on it. This means the honey can be harvested. If it is harvested before being capped, the moisture content will be too high and bacteria will grow in the honey, causing it to ferment.
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5. Does the hive look healthy? Check for deformed wings as that may be caused my varoa mites. If you see worms and webs in the hive it may be wax moth larva that are eating the wax. If the brood doesn't look healthy it may have fungal or bacterial infections. You can do some research to understand what the problem is and how to fix it.
Most people don't realize that there are over 20,000 species of bees, and only 7 of them produce honey. However, the others are equally important in terms of the value they bring to ecosystems through pollination. This YouTuber decided to support his local wild bee populations by making wild bee hotels.
These are so easy to make that anyone can make them.
But why do these bees need our help? Because people are destroying the places where these insects make their nests. Some wild bees need to make nests in rotting branches, under fallen leaves, or in compost. The problem is that humans like to keep their gardens too "neat." We rake the leaves, throw away fallen branches, and most people don't even compost these. Wild bee hotels provide an alternative in places where we have done irreversible damage, such as in cities. They are also an easy way to investigate what wild bee populations live in your area.
These are so easy to make that anyone can make them.
But why do these bees need our help? Because people are destroying the places where these insects make their nests. Some wild bees need to make nests in rotting branches, under fallen leaves, or in compost. The problem is that humans like to keep their gardens too "neat." We rake the leaves, throw away fallen branches, and most people don't even compost these. Wild bee hotels provide an alternative in places where we have done irreversible damage, such as in cities. They are also an easy way to investigate what wild bee populations live in your area.
Ուզում եմ կարդալ ավելին
Most people don't realize that there are over 20,000 species of bees, and only 7 of them produce honey. However, the others are equally important in terms of the value they bring to ecosystems through pollination. This YouTuber decided to support his local wild bee populations by making wild bee hotels.
These are so easy to make that anyone can make them.
But why do these bees need our help? Because people are destroying the places where these insects make their nests. Some wild bees need to make nests in rotting branches, under fallen leaves, or in compost. The problem is that humans like to keep their gardens too "neat." We rake the leaves, throw away fallen branches, and most people don't even compost these. Wild bee hotels provide an alternative in places where we have done irreversible damage, such as in cities. They are also an easy way to investigate what wild bee populations live in your area.
These are so easy to make that anyone can make them.
But why do these bees need our help? Because people are destroying the places where these insects make their nests. Some wild bees need to make nests in rotting branches, under fallen leaves, or in compost. The problem is that humans like to keep their gardens too "neat." We rake the leaves, throw away fallen branches, and most people don't even compost these. Wild bee hotels provide an alternative in places where we have done irreversible damage, such as in cities. They are also an easy way to investigate what wild bee populations live in your area.
Ուզում եմ կարդալ ավելին
Wild bee hotels
Wild bee hotels
What did you learn? How can you help the bees? Will you be able to distinguish between a hive of healthy bees?
What did you learn, how can you help the bees? Will you be able to distinguish between a hive of healthy bees?
Discussion 4-Preparatory task
Complete the task before discussion 4 and come ready for the discussion.
1. Find out the names of the animals, birds, and insects that live on the school grounds (use the Merlin Bird ID app to find out what birds visit the school grounds and the Google Photos app to identify the names of unfamiliar insects). Look for signs of their activity in the area.
Add this information to the map.
1. Find out the names of the animals, birds, and insects that live on the school grounds (use the Merlin Bird ID app to find out what birds visit the school grounds and the Google Photos app to identify the names of unfamiliar insects). Look for signs of their activity in the area.
Add this information to the map.