I have observed that many traditional gardeners over-emphasize the importance of fertilizers and chemical pest control when establishing their seasonal garden beds.
This ritual of fortifying the bed with manufactured agents to feed and protect the young plants is common wisdom that has been promoted and passed around for quite some time. The gardener inspects her garden beds and sets about pulling out the unplanned wild greens (aka weeds), disposes of them (usually in the garbage pail), turns and tills the soil to loosen the ground and bring in some oxygen, then adds her nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium mixture from a polypropylene bag. Her bed is now ready to be planted.
In permaculture gardening, the primary foundation of a strong vibrant garden is the soil itself. My preferred method of permaculture growing is using raised beds and creating most of my soil by myself. You may ask how do I go about creating soil? A great way to get started is to first define where your bed(s) will be located. If you like, you can dig the area out (6 to 12 inches deep) and place the soil to the side (you can skip this if you have ample good compost). Then, cover this area with several sheets of newspaper or a layer of cardboard. Layer, or sheet mulch, on top of the paper. An example may be to start with a layer of animal manure, followed by piling on some twigs, brush or tree branches. Next, add leaves or wood chips, then a layer of grass clippings or green leaves.
Finally, another layer of manure or leaves (chopped will break down more quickly) and kitchen scraps (egg shells, etc.) topped off with compost. Finally, put back the soil you dug out to start with onto the top of the bed and cover with an inch or two of mulch (leaves, straw, wood chips). Try using the organic matter available on your land as much as possible, and don’t be limited by the material list I mentioned. When building this bed, water each layer just to make sure that everything inside the mound is moist.
Your new bed will be 12-plus inches in height. You can have fun with this and be creative. I have built one nearly 5 feet tall, using large branches and timber. Your garden bed now has a mixture of elements, a mound of natural organic matter that will break down over the growing season. This natural process produces humus inside the bed that, throughout a year or so, becomes a natural sponge to hold water and other nutrients.
The construction of this bed also will have a substantial quantity of air pockets from the mounding of coarse materials, tree limbs, etc. It creates air space for the plant roots and all the aerobic microorganisms that populate the bed. It leaves room for varieties of insects, as well.
You also can amend the new bed with fish emulsion and some rock dust. Every growing season (three here in Plant City), top the bed off with a couple of inches of compost from your ongoing compost pile (an absolute must). Plant right into the added compost. You now have created your own growing medium and begun making your own soil.
You’re in this for the long run. Be patient. Grand plant results may be immediate, but it could take a couple of seasons of building the soil to get there.
Bob Abbenzeller is a certified permaculture designer and volunteer at the Plant City Commons Community Garden. For more, email to pcpermaculture@gmail.com or call (813) 489-5520.