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Ca: ben Jungle~ continued from page 2
<br /> discovered that wood ch/ps made fi.om deciduous twigs and
<br /> branches less than 3" (7 cra) ia diameter (also known as randal
<br /> wood) have high levels ofproteia with all amino acids, plus
<br /> sugars, cellulose, pectin, and st~.,'ch. Carbon-to-nitrogen ratios of
<br /> between 30/1 and 150/1 as well as the higher enzyme content of
<br /> ramial wood mulch support a rapid build-up of hurons in the soil.
<br /> Wheat, oats, potatoes, and strawberries mulched with ramial
<br /> wood ch/ps had better sou water retention, faster soil microbe
<br /> proliferation, better control of weecks, better flavor and higher dry
<br /> matter content, as well as fewer pests and healthier roots
<br /> surrounded by more mycchorizae. (2)
<br /> For three years I stockpiled coarse (1/4"-3" diameter) leafy
<br /> branches, sticks and stems ia a 400 s.f. (40 ~) area. Because thc
<br /> soil remained moist there --duo.to the depth of tho mulch
<br /> was a great place for squash, gourds, and pumpkins. That site
<br /> gave me beautiful pumpkins with zero irrigation during a rainless
<br /> California sa~mmer. The same approach can even accommodate
<br /> 8"-12" (or larger) logs hidden underneath. TI~ moist dark habitat
<br /> is excellent for mushroom growth, so consider inoculating logs at
<br /> the bottom of a brush pile with your favorite mushroom spawn.
<br /> The fungally decayed matter becomes excellent soil for trees and
<br /> shrubs into which you can contiau~ to plant your cucurbits.
<br /> Most plants ia modem landscapes are under-utilized. Too
<br />often we've learned to settle for pleasing colors, textures, and
<br />shapes while disregarding entire realms of complex function and
<br />diverse yields. Beauty is just a place to begin. If you stop there.
<br />your ornamental project will always require you to put more
<br />energy into it, when a garden should be returning a surplus of
<br />material and energy to you. As you design, remember that food,
<br />fiber, forage, fodder, fuel, fungi, fertilizer, and financial yields
<br />arc also possible without sacrificing flowers and fragrance.
<br /> If you think about it long enough, you'll come up with som~
<br />ideas of your own for ways to deal with the abtmdanee of carbon
<br />surrounding us. You can ~ve a lot of time, energy, and money by
<br />substituting observation and imagination for work and expense.
<br />Notes
<br />I. Noel, D. "The Bird's Me~sage," ia WANATCA Yearbook 1996
<br />2. Caren, C. Pernutculture Activist 32:22. A
<br />Keith Johnson has gardened in Michigan, New England, and
<br />California, and now makes' Ids mulch piles in the mountains of
<br />North Carolin~
<br />
<br />I ' I I
<br />
<br />Natural Building Calendar
<br />
<br />May I-3. South River, Ontario,
<br />CANADA.. Eco-I)cslgn and
<br />Construction. Thc Edge, 375 Battler
<br />Dr., W'mdaor, ON, Canada NgG IVI.
<br />1-800-953-3343; ph/fx: 519.-969-~421.
<br />email: edge~ algoflquincan ada. corn;
<br />wcbsite: www.algon qu [ncartada.com.
<br />May 8-10. Ora:ngevllle, Ontario,
<br />CAIqADA. Strawbale Conatraction
<br />Wo.rkzhop. Ecology Retreat Conler,
<br />P..R #1, Oramgevillc, ON L9W 2Yg,
<br />Canada. 519-941-4560.
<br />May 11-15. $ummerlovm, TN.
<br />Bamboo Furnlture Making
<br />Work~hop. Earth Advocate~
<br />Farm, 30 Mycr~ Rd., Summ~own,
<br />~ 384113-7323.
<br />May 16-18; August 7-9. Quebec,
<br />CANADA. Strawbale Construction.
<br />Ten'a Flora,1 I6, Mcat6e ~-Anda'6, St-
<br />And~4-. Av,'Uin, Quebec, ]0V 1W0;,
<br />819-9115-O894.
<br />May 22-24. South River, Ontario,
<br />CANADA. Eco-I~ign on
<br />for Stn~nt~. Tho F~lg¢, 1
<br />3243; phHx: $19-969.~421;
<br />cdgcl~algonquincan~ d~¢ om;
<br />
<br />www.algonqulncanada, com.
<br />May 24-June 13. TeIluride, CO.
<br />Cob A-Z (+ Strawhale). COb Cottage
<br />Company, Box 123, Cottage Crmv¢,
<br />OR 97424; ph]fx: 541-942-20(15.
<br />May 30. Ch~h~m Coullty, NC. B4trk
<br />and l,~qtlow Baxket Making. Sustea-
<br />anc~ Farm, 1108 Callicutt Rd., Bear
<br />Cmelq NC 27207. 919-837-5805.
<br />.Imae 1-6. Tellarld~, CO. Tool
<br />Makhag for Furdture Maker~ ~Sth
<br />Don Wel~r. Atlas Amkology, #1
<br />gtceprock Rd., Box 306, ~awpit, CO
<br />g!430, g70-72g-0186, aflaa~n~ai.eorn.
<br />June 7-13. Tellurlde, CO. Pole lathe
<br />and Shaving Benche~ with Don
<br />Weber. Atla~ Arckology.
<br />June 13-19. WesternMA. Basics of
<br />Cob. Cob Cottage Company.
<br />August 1-6. Ielluride, (20. Maklug
<br />a Cl~alr From A Tree, ~th Don
<br />Weber. Atla~ Arckology.
<br />August 9-22. Maym Izland, BC,
<br />Canada. A to Zed of Cob, eh? Cob
<br />Cottage Co~. ph]fx: 541-942-200~.
<br />Auguxt 30-Septemher 12. Western
<br />Oregon. Thatching. Cob CoRag¢ Co.
<br />
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<br /> Knowledge, Pattern & Design '
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<br />
<br /> Ecovillage Design Workshop -" .::":.'::"-
<br /> A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Ecological Design ...
<br /> July 14-August 13 - University of Texas, Austin
<br /> Students win help design an ecovlllage in the Texas Hill Country on the 1700-acre ·
<br />DuBose Natural Farm near Blanco. By participa~g in the design process, students
<br />will learn the theory of whole systems,'eeologtcal design. The course is open to anyone
<br />with an interest in eeological design, and will take place at UT-Austin and at the farm.
<br />Credit awatlable for UT students through the School of Architecture. The teaching
<br />team consists of Pg. trlcia DuBose Micha'el. who has been teaching and designing
<br />ecological systems for over 20 years, and Patri¢la Wilson, assoc, professor of Com-
<br />munity and Regional Planning, who teaches local economic development and more.
<br />Patrlcta DuBose Mlchael· 1206 Maxsh~ll Lane · Austin, TX 78703 · 512-474-8981
<br /> Patrtcta_Mtchael~compuscrve.com.
<br /> Patrlcta Wilson · pwtlson~matl.utexas.edu · 512-471-1922.
<br />
<br />THE PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST · MAY 1998 5
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