WHAT’S A PERMABLITZ?
Starting a big remodeling job with no budget for landscaping? Why not make friends with your local permaculture group and sign on for an intense, day-long makeover? The only catch is that you may be called on to help your neighbors when they’re ready for their own big dig.
Turf removal goes quickly with many hands to share the heavy lifting. Often, however, if soils are not contaminated, turf does not need to be removed.
Mulching with paper or cardboard builds soils, kills grass, and prepares the site for planting. This concept of longterm improvement of soil is key to permaculture.
A half dozen people can excavate a natural pond in a couple of hours. A day of volunteer labor can easily add up to about 160 hours of work.
The EPDM liner for the kidney-shaped pond is held in place by heavy, local stone. Ponds are common, but not essential to every permaculture design.
Herb gardens or “herb spirals” are a good example of soil building and maximizing edge. The initial work typically involves bringing in additional clean soil.
Once complete and mulched, herb spirals require very little maintenance. They’re typically planted with perennials that produce for many years.
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