Zone 1: Shoebox Sized Garden
ReasoningPeople Care
I want to eat organic foods as they contain higher levels of beneficial vitamins and minerals compared to intensively farmed foods heavily dependent on Argo chemicals Earth Care I want to grow this food close to home to reduce /eliminate food miles. Thus reducing CO2 footprint. Also not giving the food I consume a negative calorific value. i.e. more energy is used in the production and transport of a food then it actually yields. By creating habitat for bio diversity I give more species of animals a home. Which results in a balance of pest and prey. This will eliminate the need for using any pesticides. Fair Shares (returning the surplus to people and the earth) By growing my own organic food I will waste less as a direct appreciation of the labor of love invested into the growing it. Also recycling nutrients (organic waste) to return back to the garden soil. Boundaries
Time
I have a full time job which consists of a thirty six hour work week. I train twice a week in Brazilian Jujitsu on a Monday and Friday evening for two hours. I volunteer once a week on a Friday after work. Having the time for all activities and completing my diploma has become somewhat of a challenge. Property The property is in effect rented so I cannot make alterations to the building without permission of landlord. Horticultural Knowledge I am quite knew to gardening so I do not have much knowledge about planting techniques, crop rotation etc. Finances I do not have much disposable income as most income is budgeted for other things. Networks I am not connected to any local permaculture people or like minded locals to gain relevant skills for assistance with my project. Dyslexia This does not affect the gardening process but it does make the writing up of reports very tedious and difficult for me. Resources
Finances
I do have a small budget for which I allocate money for permaculture projects. Networks The diploma group I use are all currently linked via a Bigtent web group which is avenue for us to communicate with each other. The UK diploma group have a Facebook group and I have good internet access. Other Resources Include skips in the local area that allow me to dumpster dive for materials. People’s front gardens have bricks and other materials that can be utilised. Transport My bicycle and with pannier bags allow me to collect some resources and allow them to be transported. |