Gardens: The Real Growth Economy
Ok, time to get ecological. In ecological terms the only real ‘primary producers’ are photosynthetic organisms — plants and algae. Ultimately our whole economy is powered by photosynthesis and the ancient sunlight captured by it, turned by eons of geological heat and pressure into the rich store of fossil fuels. So, while in these days of financial meltown we may have, in economic terms, reached ‘the end of growth‘, now could not be a better time to celebrate the wonder and fantastical nature of plants — who will continue to grow regardless!
Welcome to another celebratory permablitz newsletter with courses, blitzes, we’ve got more weird vegies, the latest on water restrictions, amazing herbal remedies and much more, so read on…
~~~ Tomato Time is Here ~~~
It’s mid October, time to get tomato seedlings in the ground! Why not try some tasty salad cherry tomatoes, some tried and tested Grosse Lisse for big and tasty production, and something a little out of the ordinary like a Black Russian or Green Zebra.
~~~ Friends on the telly ~~~
Check out this short video about our friends Bill, Joel and co. from Human Powered Bicycles refurbishing old bicycles to give away, from Lateline last week. Qn. exactly how many buttons worth of chest does Bill have exposed for the Australian public? Correct answers win a $5 discount on the next permablitz course!
Recycle the Bicycle [mp4] [wmv] (10/10/2008)
You’ll also catch some foreground shots of a new community greenhouse in progress (now complete) built by permablitzers and friends.
~~~ Save the Vegie Patch ~~~
A 2-300 strong crowd turned up to Brunswick Town Hall to hear how we can Save the Vegie Patch! Impressive stats from David Holmgren, and waterwise strategies and laughs from Helen Tuton, and good talks from Clive Blazey and Jane Edmanson.
The Avant Card is available to send to the Water Minister online (timothy.holding@parliament.
http://www.avantcard.com.au/
~~~ Two words you never want to hear: Stage Four ~~~
Despite a shockingly dry September, it appears that the Brumby Government may be leaning towards the introduction of voluntary household targets of 150 litres per person per day, rather than Stage 4 water restrictions which would outlaw all outside watering, although the outcome is not certain yet…
~~~ The Joy of Illicit Watering ~~~
At my house, with a very productive vegie patch and establishing fruit trees, we have been using about 40 litres (less than a fifth of the state average) per person per day.
And occasionally, when we have to, we water at the most appropriate time for our plants, which may or may not coincide with the legal time window. We know we are very good at saving water in other ways, and in watering our garden we are actually saving water. For commercial produce is far more water intensive than good organic garden production.
And how often do you get to have a subversive thrill in the garden anyway?
~~~ Invest! In Campbell’s Soup ~~~
Exciting times. On Sept. 29, during the biggest one-day point decline in the history of the Dow Jones industrial average, when 499 companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 posted losses, the one company to post a gain was the world’s biggest canned soup manufacturer, Campbell Soup Co. Essentially the world financial market sent the signal that it was time to stock the bunker with tinned chicken broth. We suggest that a potato patch, good neighbourly relations and a skillset developed through permaculture might be a better fallback plan.
~~~ Big or Weird Vegies ~~~
We’ve had two entries into our big or weird vegie competition, check out Paul’s zucchini-macho and Raf’s creepy carrot. Send your entries to [email protected]
~~~ Two medical studies confirm usefulness of certain herbal remedies ~~~
St. John’s Wort Shown Effective for Major Depression: St. John’s wort may be as effective for major depression as standard antidepressants but with fewer side effects, researchers affirmed. full story
Honey May Help Heal Some Burns and Chronic Wounds: Topical honey, an ancient wound remedy, may promote healing of mild to moderate burns compared with some conventional dressings, according to a meta-analysis. full story
~~~
Hope to see you at a blitz!
Adam @ Permablitz Decentral
