Back to Eden dvd

[rockriver]

we visited some long ago friends this weekend and began to catch up on each other.
they were sure that our concerns were in Christian error and that regardless of what happens that God will provide... (I think they are in error!)
however.. this post isn't about their correctness or error..
they did say that we might like a dvd that they gave us.

Back to Eden is a gardening video
I'm hoping someone on here can comment
pro or con is welcomed! especially if you have experience with this gardening technique. we are novice gardeners.

the premise is that trees and plants in the forest grow great all by themselves...
that man comes to a plot of ground tills it up and quickly the ground is infertile etc..

whereas the natural process is a constant covering of the soil by leaves, sticks, etc... which protects and feeds nutrients into the soil..
so.. we should be composting like crazy and covering the soil with wood chips. the wood chips break down, hold water, feed the soil..
and each year the added wood chips continue to add to the soil.

there is a pretty constant Christian message throughout the dvd, with the main guy paul gautschi quoting scripture to support his practices.
(this is the warning for any who would be offended by the Christianity portion-- hey, just don't buy the dvd!)

one portion in particular a guy says something like "I really feel like times are going to be getting much tougher, and folks need to be preparing their soil now, in order to be able to grow their own food in the future."

I've only watched part of the dvd... but at this point giving it a big thumbs up!

[rockriver]

folks,
my bride just found the film on the internet... apparently no need to buy the dvd.

http://www.backtoedenfilm.com/

scroll to the bottom of first page.

[610Alpha]

I can shed some light on some of this about the leaves and sticks/mulch.

Chop & Drop is a technique that is used to create a mulch layer for your plants which can provide the environment for fungai.

Forrest is considered to be a fungal based system. Fungai interact with the roots in a way that is more beneficial to all parties. I believe the fungai get sugars and the roots get the minerals/NPK.

Tilling up the ground releases the nutrients into the air, think no-till.

Consider this question: How much money has mother nature spent on growing plants? 0.

I would encourage some research into Agroforestry & Silvo Pasture. I highly recommend the book Restoration Agriculture by Mark Sheppard, well worth the read. U of I is doing research based on the model he uses: http://wppresearch.org/

http://www.forestag.com/ is Mark's site. He produces fruits of all kinds (Apples To berries), Nuts, livestock, Cider, mushrooms, wood, etc.

There is a Food Forest being planned for a city park in Bloomington, IL.

[610Alpha]

Restoration Agriculture -- plus animals

[Benn Gleck]

610, What about using sawdust for mulch?

I've read somewhere that it depletes nitrogen.

I have an endless supply if I can use it.

[rockriver]

benn,
I've been putting sawdust, shavings, all kind of stuff on the garden and then tilling it into the soil..
--
I believe the back to eden folks would say

sawdust as mulch ? great!! use it... just don't till it in!
add a new layer each year!

I wish I had an endless supply!

[Benn Gleck]

RR, I just finished watching the video you posted and enjoyed it very much. Thank you!

Between you and 610 I've gained loads knowledge about sustainability and permaculture. I have already started to implement some of the things 610 has turned me onto.

You guys are GREAT!

[Benn Gleck]

benn,
I've been putting sawdust, shavings, all kind of stuff on the garden and then tilling it into the soil..
--
I believe the back to eden folks would say

sawdust as mulch ? great!! use it... just don't till it in!
add a new layer each year!

I wish I had an endless supply!

We have an Amish family we are close friends with and they have a sawmill. I've been bartering with them for truckloads of slabwood and they also have a HUGE plie of sawdust. Probably 40' high and 60' across. Last time I was there they asked if I needed any.

[rockriver]

green eyes of jealousy!
take them a bottle of coca cola or give them a free days work,
then load up with stuff from the back side of the pile! the old rotten stuff!

I've got to go watch the video again. there are a couple of clips from sawmill locations

[610Alpha]

610, What about using sawdust for mulch?

I've read somewhere that it depletes nitrogen.

I have an endless supply if I can use it.

Wood = stored carbon and yes during the decomposition it can tie up Nitrogen.

It won't tie up all of the nitrogen.

You have several options:

External Inputs from manure, organic fertilizer, chop and drop (Black Locust leaves, Comfrey, green material etc.)

Internal Inputs from nitrogen fixing plants/trees Black Locust is a great one. The Permaculture Orchard video, the orchard used the NAP planting method. Nitrogen Fixing, Apple, Plum or Pear.

Toby Hemenway's book "Gaia's Garden" has some great charts on various support plants so get it from the library and take a look. Don't let the name put you off, it is full of great info.

You got a couple of options with the saw dust...use it as a top mulch and inoculate it with mycelium (sp) or you could use it in a hugelkultur mound (wood covered with dirt) but know that it will decompose faster than logs. What are you talking about 610, covering wood with dirt?

Make a layer of wood, cover it with dirt, make another layer of wood cover it with dirt, repeat until you get a nice mound. Orientate the mound for good solar exposure and know that some plants will like the shady side better. Plant the mound then put a deep mulch layer 4-6". The wood underneath will absorb water and in a couple of years you won't have to water anything in that mound...some wood is better than others and don't use alleopathic (sp) woods (Black Walnut i believe) or anything with a fungicide in the wood like Locust.

[rockriver]

if the first video got your attention,
check out the following. someone videoed paul doing a complete tour..
I'm going to try his idea..
his Christian references appear "in order"
rr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=uM_gtZb8qyk