Important Lessons From Permaculture Farms

 Permaculture or ‘Permanent Culture’ refers to food production and ecological designs that replicate the natural, self-sustainable way of growth we see around us. Permaculture farms mimic the growth patterns found in natural forests to create an ecosystem that is verdant and self-sustainable. The energy input in these farms is minimal while yields are extremely high.

Permaculture farms make use of resources like land and forces like community building to bring about a seamless integration of plants, animals, soil, organisms and humans to create balanced, beneficial, self-sustainable communities. Unlike modern farms, the focus of permaculture farms is not just on the various elements in the farm but on the healthy interrelationships that exist among these elements. By replicating natural patterns, synergy is created between various elements.

Permaculture farms are in direct contrast to present day farming systems where a lot of energy is spent to preserve the ‘sanctity’ of the farming area and prevent it from going ‘wild’. A modern farm is simply a stack of a few elements, one over the other. In contrast, as is seen in nature, a forest garden is naturally productive because it is growing several levels at the same time. In a natural forest, the floor consists of shrub layers which are topped by fruits and vegetables, which are further topped by large trees. Large trees provide canopy and also recycle nutrients. They are the home to several species that help enrich the soil. Thus, even elements such as huge trees that seem like they are redundant, are also performing essential functions.

Permaculture farms are not completely focused on food production. Instead, its objective is to foster a thriving ecosystem. In order to bring about a sustainable way of life, the permaculture farm could containwaste water treatment plants, energy efficient buildings, recycling plants and so on. To design a landscape that produces its own food, multi-use plants are chosen. Animals too are integrated into the system so that they can eliminate weeds naturally. Small insects and microorganisms act as natural pesticides and control the growth of harmful microorganisms in the farm.

These days, permaculture farms have expanded their reach to include social structures and economic systems to support the creation of eco-villages and eco-housing. Since the concepts of permaculture may be extended to urban settings as well, they are applicable wherever humans live, in cities, households and even in big villages.

It might seem like permaculture farms require a lot of hard work. However, in truth, a lot of the hard work that goes into maintaining and nurturing modern day farms are not present in permaculture farms. For instance, there is no need to use pesticides. Since nature is allowed to take care of itself, most of the work involved is in harvesting the produce from farms, not in maintaining the farm to be productive.

Common Circle Education is one of the most well-known Permaculture Schools.

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The Agricultural Real Estate Boom In Texas

 Texas possesses miles and miles of cultivable . The state has the most number of farms in the country andits name is synonymous with agriculture. It comes as no surprise when one learns that Texas is the national leader in the production of cotton, sheep and goat products to name a few. The agricultural real estate situation in the state is unlike any other because of its rich natural sources. A strong agrarian foundation has led to the popularity of in Texas.

So you've decided to buy a piece of in the Texas countryside. Before you go plot hunting you need tocheck up on two things:

1. In which part of Texas do you want to buy the ? This in turn is determined by what you will be dealing in. For instance, if you are going to start a ranch then you need to find an area which is rich in greenery and has a constant water source nearby.

2. How much are you looking to produce annually? This will determine the dimensions of the you buy. If you are looking to grow crops, then you need to check the quality of the soil as well. The yearly produce depends on how well your crops flourish in the natural conditions of the region.

When you are out checking plots it is mandatory to enquire whether there has been a recent flood in the region you are interested in. Floodwater is highly detrimental to the quality of the soil as it results in soil erosion. Also check how far is the market place from your farm. Since you might be purchasing an open piece of , double check on the unmarked boundaries of your plot before you put pen to paper.

Agricultural real estate is booming in Texas mainly because of the high rate of return. There is hardly any risk involved and most farms make substantial profits all throughout the year. The lures of Texas farm lifeare many. A modern agricultural phenomenon has taken the state by storm. Modern farming gadgets have made the task of cultivating much easier than before. Living on a Texas farm is all about self-dependence.

Texas is witnessing an agricultural real estate situation which is full of promise. Investing here is the best thing you could do if you want to ride the agricultural wave sweeping the state.

Agricultural real estate - For all your agricultural real estate queries in Texas, contact Dalhart Real Estate. They can give you expert advice!

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Gardening Around The World: The Top Ten Gardens To Visit – Part 1!

As gardening is such a global pursuit, is important that those of us who hold an interest in horticulture should be encouraged to pursue the purveyors of the craft’s excellence – and to the ends of the earth if possible! With summer holidays approaching, we now have an opportunity to tailor any excursions we might be planning in order to realize this goal. So, we’ve compiled a list below, which in our opinion, best reflects the champions of green fingery around the world, based on the qualities of aesthetic, ambition, innovation and technique.

Although our list maybe different from yours, and yours from aunty Jane’s, we’ve tried to include the widest possible range of disciplines and cultures that best reflect the multinational art form that is gardening.


So in no particular order…

1. Le Château de Versailles (France)
Topping more or less every list going and the last word in French formal gardening, which prizes order over natural formation, and pristine and exacting symmetry, is prodigal designer Andre Le Notre’s masterpiece. Designed and constructed during the reign of King Louis XIV and unique for its use of foundations which litter the 800 acre site and whose original hydraulics are still in use today.

2. Katsura Imperial Palace (Japan)
It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for the Japanese garden style, but this bias by no means detracts from the majesty and grandeur that is the Katsura royal garden, designed over five hundred years ago by then prince Toshhihito, with the aid of a tea master-come-horticulturalist. It is the most famous and thorough representation of the Japanese water garden and has been asserted as the most complete example of the country’s culture anywhere.

3. Villa Lante (Italy)
The Villa Lante is probably Italy’s foremost example of renaissance gardening. Construction began around 1566 under the direction of Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola and later improved upon by Tommaso Ghinucci ,who oversaw the design of the gardens renowned fountains and water grottos. Another famous aspect of the garden is the progressively descending plateaus of water, serving as a fluid stairway, and it is for this reason that Ghinucci’s involvement was so paramount, as without his engineering expertise, the fluid perfection of the fountains could not be achieved.

4. Huntington Botanical Gardens (United States)
Henry Huntington procured the San Marino ranch at the turn of the century and successfully converted the land into a kind of a gallery of different garden designs, including a famous section devoted to lily ponds. It houses over 14,000 species of plants and its desert area is home to the largest collection of Aloe outside of its endemic Africa. Other themes covered in the garden are European formality and Japanese minimalism.

5. Stourhead (England)
Made famous by the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Stourhead really is a relic of English tradition. Originally established in the 18th century, it is also one of the largest sites on our list, at over 1000 hectares. It houses its own village, Palladian Mansion and forest. The real beauty of this place stems from its inspiration - as the scenes there depict, its designer took much from the pastoral poetry and art that was popular at the time and tried to evoke those themes by erecting circular temples and naming features of the garden for characters from the Greek tradition.

Tune in next week for more inspirational gardens from around the world!

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