Gardening By Osmosis

Permaculture: A New Concept?

Why do we make so much work for ourselves in the garden when we can practice permaculture?

The history of permaculture dates back to when man, or maybe it was woman, noticed the seeds thrown on the ground from fruits and plants they ate grew new plants and trees.

Evolution of gardening employed varied methods. Each more refined than the precious attempt.

Gardeners cleared the land, artificially altered seeds and disposed of all plant debris.

The ground became sterile and eventually blew away.

Ingenious farmers began introducing decomposed plants back in the soil, enriching the bare ground.

And the soil: Developing soil is not an overnight process. The soil evolves and becomes rich. When it is disturbed by tiling and excavating it has to start all over. Seeds and plants introduced in the disturbed soil struggle. Often they need additives and artificial enhancements to thrive.

Most of us appreciate shade. Many plants do as well. So why then do we remove their automatic air-conditioning systems? In the name of weed-free rows we justify?

I experience a revelation this spring with a worn out sugar pumpkin that never made it into pie. It had been a table decoration until it wasn’t. I put it outside, planning to give it to the chickens. Even though the chickens would not turn up their noses at the soft, squishy thing I took it to the garden and smushed it down in the wakening soil.

I ignored the ugly faded orange clump. After the first of June, little pumpkin plants began to develop.

Many of the pumpkin seeds sprouted but one in particular began to outshine all the others. It was strong and healthy and has been flowering abundantly. I can hardly wait until Halloween.

My corn patch is untidy as well.

I didn’t weed except where I planted corn, bean and squash seeds.

I have traditional rows of corn, too. The corn plants look lovely in their rows but the jungle where the corn roots have shade, the plants are at least three times as tall and strong as the others.

Maybe there is something to be said for permaculture as I sure have more time to spend with my grandkids!

Margaret Swenson is a Spokane County Master Gardener.