19 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
dukejer
dukejer
13 years ago

Here is a link to a Youtube video about how Cuba recovered using local culture and permaculture after the Soviet Union collapse since they lost a lot of funds and fuel that the Soviets supplied.

dukejer
dukejer
13 years ago

link to youtube

http://youtu.be/M5o9wJdwYzc

Dan
Dan
13 years ago
Reply to  dukejer

that documentary is AWESOME. cuba is a permaculture success story. thanks for posting.

here is a short article i wrote about fertiliser if anyone is interested:

http://danielkeating.blogspot.com/2011/12/feed-food.html

Cesar Diaz
13 years ago

Great work as usual. Thanks for the note on the F word. Not an issue for me, but sometimes I listen to the podcast with my kids. I’m loving all the information on permaculture.

Laurie
Laurie
13 years ago

A friend of mine used to spray crops from a plane in the 70’s. He said the farmers used to call him when they had a problem. Now, they have to use chemicals to get the seed to come up out of the ground, then to get it to grow, then to keep the pests away. More and more chemicals. Then he said, “Have you noticed the little creeks and ravines that used to have water flowing thru them are no longer there? Because of all the chemicals it kills the life in the creeks and when life goes…….”

Gordon Adams
Gordon Adams
13 years ago

Hi Jack,

I have a great idea for show number 1000 !! THE GOVERNMENT BUILT ON PERMICULTURE TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN . What would be better than that , and maybe listeners could send in there idea’s as well. I think it would give people something to hope for and dream about that is positive and doable. Thank you for living your life the way you do, and sharing it with us.

Josh
Josh
13 years ago

Re: Your hillside

It sounds like you may want to consider blueberries on that hillside. Pine needles are often used to create acid soil – perfect for blueberries. Blueberries also often have a shallow root system, which I believe you said is the case on that hillside. Blueberries will provide forage for you and your wildlife. Rosemary is also a good idea and provides a nice herb; the blueberry would be a nice compliment rather than a monoculture of rosemary 😉

Entity
Entity
13 years ago

um, while not to take from your point, a “chip butty” is brit for what is basically a hot chip sandwich, and tends to be pronounced “buttie”.
However, the important parts of what you are saying, are correct.

Kenzal
Kenzal
13 years ago

Just a brief FYI (I’m sending this from my phone), a ‘chip butty’ or ‘chip buddy’ is essentially a french fry sandwich

trackback

[…] episode of The Survival Podcast dealt with Misconceptions About Permaculture.  http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/permaculture-misconception-vs-reality.  Among other people that had misunderstood some things regarding permaculture Jack references a […]

Roundabouts
Roundabouts
13 years ago

When I first found out about permaculture it seemed the only info I could find on the subject was spirals composting and peeing on your garden. Seems so many say it’s a how to more than what it really is a design system. More a way to than a how to. A way to look at your land think about your land yourself and actions. Than a put spiral here tree there step by step guide. Thats what makes it so great. Good show I think that will clear it up for people.

You may have a pine problem good solution to solve it. I have a Canadian Thistle problem so far no luck in finding a solution. Since the seeds are going to blow over from the neighbors until mother nature gets growing over there we will be fighting a loosing battle I am afraid. Until then I guess we just keep cutting and burning. Any suggestions in your bag of tricks?

Ron
Ron
13 years ago
Reply to  Roundabouts

Rent a goat? Some folks will rent their goats to eat weeds. Just chain them in an area until the weeds are eaten, then move them.

Anji
Anji
13 years ago

Best definition of Permaculture ever, Jack.

sparrk
13 years ago

Great points you make in this show. One thing I’d like to correct, though, is that on diversified, homestead-style farms – including permaculture farms – you may not need as much hired labor at harvest as you think. This is because diversified farmers will tend to structure their farm enterprises to employ people year round or close to it (mostly their own family, traditionally). So they’ll have the labor necessary on site to handle the harvest. 4 acres of corn is not an overwhelming amount for a family, or a couple hired guys, and the that labor can be kept employed the rest of the year at other tasks due to the diversity of on-farm operations; e.g. livestock, forestry, fiber, homestead activities (fixing the roof), etc. I’ve been breaking this down on my blog, researching the traditional economics of peasant farming. That’s really the model – minus serfdom – that you’re talking about replicating. It’s legit. Here’s where I respond to your episode: http://thesparrk.blogspot.com/2011/12/first-application-of-peasant-economics.html