Summer\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Waning Strawberry Moon<\/p>\n
I’ve not written much about permaculture for a while.\u00a0 Here’s a one-pager* from our landscapers, Ecological Gardens<\/a>. \u00a0 It defines a new term for me:\u00a0 natural capital.\u00a0 I’ve since discovered that this is a term with a larger history which I haven’t explored fully, but I like the Ecological Gardens version.<\/p>\n Just imagine the kind of revolution we’d have if each person with land–in the whole world or in a whole city or in a whole county like Anoka County–committed themselves to increasing the natural capital of their land.\u00a0 It’s a little bit like that old boy scout motto:\u00a0 Leave your campsite better than you found it.<\/p>\n We could, each one of us, take multiple unique tacks on the notion of natural capital.\u00a0 Some of us might focus on small commercial crops, others might raise chickens for meat and eggs, still others might band together as neighborhoods and grow crops in tandem, some folks doing one thing, others another and producing a local horticultural economy.<\/p>\n A federal or state program that made low cost loans or outright grants for the establishment of permaculture at the local level makes a lot of sense to me.\u00a0 Like the 160 acres and a mule of yesteryear.\u00a0 We need a horticulture and an agriculture that increases the carrying capacity of the earth, helps clean up the rivers, streams and lakes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *Would you like to: These are all products of natural capital. Our first priority at Ecological Gardens is to help you increase the natural capital of your land. This means assessing the unique combination of resources \u2013 sunlight, wind, water, and microclimates \u2013 and turning them into productive investments that will yield benefits today and for many years to come. Short-term returns (1-5 years) Intermediate returns (5-15 years) Long-term returns (15 + years) Summer\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Waning Strawberry Moon I’ve not written much about permaculture for a while.\u00a0 Here’s a one-pager* from our landscapers, Ecological Gardens. \u00a0 It defines a new term for me:\u00a0 natural capital.\u00a0 I’ve since discovered that this is a term with a larger history which I haven’t explored fully, but I like the Ecological Gardens version. … Continue reading Natural Capital<\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Maintain beautiful self-sustaining gardens organically?
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Pick fresh, nutrient-dense foods from your own backyard?
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Create habitat for the nature you love?
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Build resiliency into your landscape to help fight climate change?<\/p>\n
\nSoil is the foundation for natural capital in our northern temperate climate. Healthy soil creates a condition for healthy plants, produces nutrient-dense foods for humans and wildlife, reduces water use, and minimizes leaching and runoff. Building healthy soil usually requires an investment since most soils are compacted and chemically treated.
\nPlants are the primary producers of value on the land. They take up sunlight, water, and nutrients turning them into nutritious foods, medicines, fibers, fuels, oils, and wood. Increasing productivity on your land requires an initial investment since plants of low productivity tend to dominate the landscape.
\nYour return on investment will vary depending on the size of your land and the configuration of resources but will increase exponentially as plant diversity and abundance grows.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Lower water bills (up to 30%) for yard and garden care
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Lower maintenance costs for fertilizers and lawn care products
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Lower food bills as you begin to harvest food, flowers and medicines
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Greater wildlife value (bees, birds, and beneficial insects)
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Greater beauty<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Lower energy costs for air conditioning and heating by strategically locating trees and vines
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Lower labor requirements as natural processes begin to work for you
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Increased property values due to abundance and beauty
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Increased food security as you provide more of your own food<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Lower fuel costs as you begin to harvest your own wood [for larger properties]
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Increased productivity as your land matures<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"