A Visit Back to Eden

A Visit Back to Eden

by | Feb 11, 2017 | Garden

During the 2016 Permaculture Convergence in Port Townsend we were invited to visit Paul Gautschi’s productive and sustainable garden, known to many as The Garden of Eden. It is without a doubt one of the most inspiring examples of growing organic nutrient rich food using easy and sustainable growing methods.

Paul walked us through the orchards and vegetable gardens sharing his evolution in the world of organic gardening. He noted that although he followed organic practices his soil needed to be replenished regularly with yearly rototilling, building the garden beds, weeding, extensive and costly irrigation, and constant and intensive labor.

In his frustration and longing to find a sustainable way to grow food he prayed to God for guidance. Soon afterwards he began to notice how nature grows plants without the need of human interference. Paul began to observe the native plants on his property and quickly realized that this was the answer to his prayers. He began to mimic nature by adding multiple layers of wood chips and compost to the gardens and orchards. He now has over 16” of wood chips that have broken down over the years. .

The end results are remarkable: no more rototilling, weeding, extensive irrigation, or back breaking labor. As the beneficial microorganisms began to break down the wood chips a soil full of  nutrients was created to provide a very rich environment for plants to grow and thrive. A great surprise to many of us visiting the property was Paul’s repeated testament to the low amount of water required by the plants due to its ability to retain water after years of layering the wood chips.
We wandered among the  low growing trees draping down like the ribs of an umbrella in awe of the thick and sturdy branches ladened with fruit. Paul encouraged everyone to taste the apples and pears that had fallen on the soft cushion of rich soil and to notice that this fruit had no bruising. As we bit into the juicy, crunchy, nutrient rich fruits to say they were “good” is an understatement. “Delicious”, “Exquisite”, “Wow!” were certainly words echoed by the group.

The vegetables, herbs and berries growing throughout the property is a feast for the senses. Who could have imagined the sweetness of the broccoli, the size of the arugula and strawberries, or the extra crunchiness of the carrot. Paul talked extensively about growing nutrient rich food which holds a high water content. It was amazing tasting the food grown on his land. It is definitely a garden worth emulating!!
For more information about Paul Gautschi and to learn about his film “Back to Eden” visit:
http://www.backtoedenfilm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BackToEdenFilmOrganicGardening/

The Soil Food Web

The Soil Food Web

by | Feb 8, 2017 | Soil

In February Mechas attended a class to learn about soil biology. The class was taught by a very respected and well known leader in soil microbiology and researcher of the soil foodweb, Dr. Elaine Ingham. What an incredible class! Dr. Elaine Ingham is brilliant teacher. If you get an opportunity we highly recommend taking the Dr. Elaine Ingham’s class, it will solve many of your garden problems.

Who knew that the nematodes, fungi, protozoa, bacteria, arthropods are the little critters that make the soil come to life?  Without the biology of these critters we can’t grow nutrient rich food or plants.  Mechas learned so much about soil biology in just one week and of course there is a still a lot more to learn.

So when we have the right biology we have soil and when we don’t we have dirt.

When you have a diversity of microorganisms in your soil the plants are healthy because of the balance of beneficial microorganisms and insects. Another added benefit is less water is required  because the roots are stronger and they go deeper into the ground to gather nutrients and water due to the soils ability to absorb more water. Dirt is not so good. It does not hold water and requires the continued use of fertilizers that kill fungi and nematodes and other beneficial organisms. Dirt is not great for growing food.

The key to all of this is making rich compost to bring in the good microbiology. Check out this link to Dr. Ingham’s compost making: http://www.soilfoodweb.com/Thermal_Compost.html

To learn more about Dr. Elaine Ingham visit these sites:

http://www.soilfoodweb.com/Home_Page.html

http://www.lifeinthesoilclasses.com/  

http://www.soilfoodweb.com/Books.html