Pest control at the Sebastopol Energy Garden does not involve the use of any commercial organic or chemical pesticides; rather the encouragement of natural pest controlling systems. A variety of plants have been intentionally planted to encourage beneficial insects and deter derimental insects from vulnerable crops. Other plants have been planted as trap crops, that is they attract pests to lure them away from other crops. By planting trap crops we can create dense aggregations of pests and manage them with non harmful sprays such as soapy garlic and cayene pepper water or leave them be and hope for predatory insects to find them and aggregate around the trap crops as well.

Such was the case with the two plots of Canola that were planted in the Energy Garden this year. Canola is often planted for the oil rich seeds that it produces but also as a trap crop and beneficial insect attractant. While the plant is preferred by aphids, a trait that we observed this winter, the flowers of Canola attract adults of the following species of hoverflies (Syrphidae): Allograpta obliqua (Say), Sphaerophoria spp., Syrphus spp., and Toxomerus spp. Larvae of all of these species are predators on aphids. In addition adult lady bugs, soldier beetles, and a variety of predatory wasps are attracted to Canola due to the dense populations of aphids that inhabit it. By planting Canola in the garden this year we not only lured herbivorous aphids away from other brassica crops that we grew, we increased the populations of predatory insects in the garden.

In addition to growing plants that deter herbivourous insects and attract predatory insects we have provided habitat for predatory birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, and salamanders in hopes that they prey upon pests that visit the garden. Snails are also regularly captured and fed to the chickens as a source of protein and calories, and gopher traps are set and monitored.

By encouragin ecological pest control as opposed to using chemical and organic pesticides we improve the ecological health of the garden without the risk of harming our crops and ultimately ourselves. Rather than removing all insects from the garden ecosystem, a charecteristic of most pesticides, we are able to combat only those that are detrimental to our crops.

Two and a half million tons of commercial pesticides are now applied
annually in the United States. Because of pests ability to develop
resistance towards chemical treatments, pesticide effectiveness
decreases and our dependence upon them increases with each spraying.
Production of these
chemicals now accounts for 6% of US agricultural energy consumption as
the industry continues to grow.
 

Caroline Cox lists ten reasons why not to use pesticides in the Journal of Pesticed Reform:

1. Pesticides don’t solve pest problems. They don’t change the conditions that encourage pests.

2. Pesticides are hazardous to human health. Every year, enormous quantities of pesticides known to cause significanthealth problems are used in the U.S.

3. Pesticides cause special problems for children. For their size, they consume more food and drink than adults, and both of these can be contaminated with pesticides. They play in ways that increase their exposure. Also,their growing bodies can be particularly sensitive.

4. Pesticides often contaminate food. The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture means that pesticides are frequently found on a variety of common foods.

5. Pesticides are particularly hazardous for farmers and farmworkers. There are no comprehensive systems for tracking pesticide illnesses, and research shows that farmers and farmworkers face risks of both short-term poisonings and long-term illness.

6. Pesticides are hazardous to pets. Pet poisonings occur frequently, and exposure to lawncare pesticides is associated with a higher risk of cancer in dogs.

7. Pesticides contaminate water and air. Monitoring studies find pesticides in almost every sample that is tested.

8. Pesticides are hazardous to fish and birds. Enormous quantities of pesticides already known to EPA to cause problems for fish and birds are used in the U.S.

9. Pesticides are immensely profitable for the corporations who manufacture them, yet these corporations conduct or sponsor the tests used to determine their safety

10. Pesticides have too many secrets. Where are pesticides used in our communities? When? How much? What’s in them? We almost never have good answers to these questions.

For more information check out these sites 

http://www.organicgardeningguru.com/pesticides.html

http://www.pw.ucr.edu/textfiles/Stormwater%20%20The%20Urban%20Pesticide%...

http://www.chem-tox.com/pesticides/ 

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5409/is_199810/ai_n21427664 

Wednesday was the new moon, so according to biodynamic principles
we have a three day window on either side to start new seeds and plant
seedlings that we started on the last new moon. To prepare for this time, I put
forth a semi-frantic burst of action, harvesting the millet, amaranth, quinoa,
corn, and flax. I have weeded and cleaned nine beds, roughly 1000 square feet,
and now that the frenzy has slowed I am completely haunted by the Bermuda grass.

Yes, the amaranth was a stunning orange, and the yield from
one bed was impressive and exciting. Sure, it was the first time I have seen
quinoa growing in a garden, and it was delicious. The corn, millet, and flax
can make fuel and feed nations, but on more than one occasion in the past week,
I have had dreams (read: nightmares) about Bermuda grass.

After three days of weeding in the hot sun, with the sounds
of birds and cars to keep me company, the rhizomatous pattern of this invasive
weed probed its way into my subconscious.
The grass creates a long chain, penetrating at least 8 inches deep
(probably more) and it relentlessly spreads its way across any open ground. Its
pattern is uniform, its behavior is consistent.

Preparing the beds for the winter crops, as is usually the
case with gardening, I was left with my own thoughts. Daily, my hopes and fears
surfaced as I thought about the state of the world in forty years. I continued
to pull the Bermuda grass. The work developed a rhythm and the birds provided
the melody.

For entertainment, or perhaps because it is harder to
completely quiet the mind, I allowed my thoughts to create pictures of the
future. On the fear end of the thought spectrum, I saw the suburban landscape
as wasteland, ghetto, and desert. Cut off from cities, which were controlled by
a repressive and authoritative government, there was hardly any productive
human activity and the flow of goods and services was extremely limited. Visions such as these are demoralizing and
self defeating, and one night last week, the night of the Bermuda grass
nightmare, I allowed this perspective to darken my mood and disrupt the rest of
my day.

Late last week the energy at Post Carbon Institute was
infectious. There was a slew of activity as more than a dozen people came
through for meetings, tours, and to see the new electric Ford Rangers. As I was
working, I again let my mind entertain itself. This time, with so much
collective energy focused on creating positive responses to global problems, visions
of hope and renewal uplifted my day. The same communities that the day before
were devastated by peak oil and climate change, were thriving. The pace of
travel and the movement of goods were also slower, but the more densely planned
neighborhoods were teeming with life. Gardens were in full bloom and there was
laughter everywhere. People were riding bicycles and there were
baskets offering surplus fruit in front of every house.

Needless to say, with visions of possibility and renewal,
the Bermuda grass came out easier than when I imagined destruction. After a long and insightful week of garden
maintenance, I notice a choice. I can label the Bermuda grass as an unwelcomed,
invasive, and obnoxious problem. Certainly, that would have some truth. Or, I
can see the plant for what it is. By covering the ground, breaking up the soil,
and setting roots relentlessly, the plant is useful for certain functions.

Regardless of how I judge it, I want to model my activism
and work after this fierce plant. Seeing the pattern of its growth, it is
consistent, resourceful, and strong. It
works in network with other strands of its family to create a comprehensive web
that works underground and above the surface to create a movement that will
never be nullified. In order to see my visions of hope and positive change come
true, I will take this lesson in work ethic from a plant that I might otherwise
label “invasive”.

1. Before building your chicken tractor, Draw up a Design of how you envision the structure; you can look online to aid you in doing so.

* We chose a triangular design after browsing through images because it seemed to offer the most structural support as well as being relatively simple.

2 . Make measurements, Cut Pieces, and Build Frame

* The wood that we had to work with was limited, and for that reason the measurements that we used were relative to the cuts of wood that we had.

Quantity Size Cut Purpose

3 2"x4"x7' Both flat (90o) Corners of Triangle

3 1"x1"x4.5" Both ends at 45o angles outward Downward Supports

6 1"X1"x42" Both ends at 45o angles outward Top Supports

3 1"x1"x20" Both ends at 45o angles outward Middle Supports

2 1"x1"x40" Both ends at 45o angles outward Bottom Supports

4 1"x1"x3'5.5" Both flat (90o) Lenghtwise Supports

2 1"x1"x40" Both flat (90o) Very Bottom Supports

* We found it easier to attatch the 1"x1"x4.5" pieces to the 2"x4"x7' that was to be the top of our chicken tractor using 1.5" screws. We placed one flush with each end and one in the very middle. We then attatched all six 1"X1"x42" on either side of the 1"x1"x4.5" supports. Before attatching the 1"x1"x20" supports we screwed on the two 1"x1"x40" bottom supports; this just makes it easier to put the middle supports on.

* Perpendicular to the 1"x1"x4.5" downward supports we attatched 1"x1"x3'5.5" lengthwise supports. We placed these in a fashion that was flush with the 1"x1"x20" middle supports. It is to these pieces that we later staled the shade cloth to.

4. Attatch Wheels and Handles

* The wheels that we purchased are entirely galvanized steel and only cost $5.00 at the local hardware store. We attatched them to the corner of the bottom 2"x4"x7' corners of the triangle with two screws and to the very bottom 1"x1"x40" support with a third. A wheel was attatched to all four corners. To the front and back faces of the triangles, where the top 2"x4"x7' beam and the 1"x1"x4.5" supports meet, we attatched handles so as to push and pull the chicken tractor.

3. Attatch Shade Cloth, and Chicken Wire

* So as to provide the chickens with a source of shade we attatched cloth along the upper portion of the chicken tractor's frame. Pulling on the cloth while using a staple gun, we made sure it was as tight as possible. On the triangle fances we had to do some bunching to make it tight. We then cut the remaining fabric off.

* We obtained chicken wire for $1.00/1'x4' at the hardware store. We stapled the chicken wire over the fabric on all but the triangle face where the door was to be placed. Using wire cutters we removed the remaining chicken wire.

4. Build the Door

Quantity Size Cut Purpose

4 2"x4"x14" Both flat (90o) Vertical part of frame and door

1 1"x1"x14" One flat (90o) One 45o outward Next to frame; to staple wire to

2 2"x4"x20" Both flat (90o) Horizontal part of door

* To build the frame of the door turned out to be the most difficult part. We used 2 hinges which came in a pack together and cost $4.00 at the hardware store. We first built the frame using two 2"x4"x14" vertical pieces then built the door using the two remaining pieces as well as the two 2"x4"x20" horizontal pieces (For this it required 2.5" screws). We attatched the door to the frame using the hinges and then sandwhiched the hinges between one of the 2"x4"x14" vertical pieces from the frame and the 1"x1"x14" piece.

5. Finish off the Door Side Chicken Wire

* Staple chicken wire to the door and to all the parts of the chicken tractor's frame.

6. Let the chickens roam the yard without having to worry about your crops

This past Saturday, May 31, 2008, the first gallons of recycled water entered the Sebatopol Energy Garden water system that before then had only circulated captured rain water. The recylced water, also called grey water was not plumbed from the house at 327 Murphy Avenue due to pending permission, however we were able to divert the drainage of our outdoor spray table and hand washing sink without violating any legal limitations.

The system was designed such that the drainage of the sink first falls directly into a gravel filled tank (30 gallons) planted with unicorn juncus, pennywort, and water parsley. This tank funtions as a filter and primary treatment for any debris From there, that water which isnt retained within the system flows into a second larger tank (150 gallons) which houses a larger community of wetland plants. The reason for using a second is to provide a longer retention time and thus a longer phytoremediation period for the recylced grey water. When more water is added to the first tank, the water that it contains will overflow into the second tank and all overflow is then plumbed at a 2% drop in grade to the previously existing  water treatment system.

To help in the installation of the system was Heather Shepherd who led along with myself a hands on grey water workshop. The day began with an explanation of the steps involved in designing a site specific grey water system, and followed with an analysis of the process that had gone into designing and constructing the system at the Sebastopol Energy Garden. We had the class go under the house to look at the piping and explained the legal requirements to plumb from the house's outward pipes into a grey water system and leach field.

For the later part of the day we were busy putting tanks in, filling them with gravel and plants, and plumbing them into the system. Whereas most courses offer the theoretical process of installing a grey water system, we had the rare oppurtunity to actually lead a group through the installation process kinestetically.

I would like to thank everyone that came, especially Heather. It was a warm day and within 6 hours we were able to install the two tanks, trench all the pipes, and connect the system. It is running now as I write this and I will no longer have to worry about the system going dry or having to fill it from the hose, because all vegetable washing and hand washing water will flow into the system to keep it full of water and provide nutrients for the plants growing within the tanks. 

As the Jerusalem artichokes danced fifteen feet in the air
and the millet waved majestically, the corn and sorghum rustled rhythmically with
the breeze coming from the west, the harvest was celebrated. Once a battered
and neglected yard, infested with Bermuda grass and trash, after one season
of love, intention, and care the demonstration Energy Garden at the Post Carbon
Institute was born. Now teeming with crops that even some seasoned gardeners
have never seen; the kenaf, switchgrass, quinoa, sorghum, and other plants
represent a resiliency and bounty that inspire hope and action. On three days in late September the community
learned about and participated in home scale responses to current global
problems.

On Tuesday, September 25^th the Permaculture Class
from the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC.org) arrived with thirty people to see the Energy Garden. Well informed
and motivated by the holistic education delivered by Brock Dolman and other
teachers at OAEC, the students engaged in an interactive tour and design
session at Post Carbon’s Energy Garden. To see the details of the design
charrettes please see the blog at http://energyfarms.net/node/1397.
The two hour tour was stimulating as the students learned about the context of
Peak Oil and the purpose and reasons behind the Energy Farm Network. We here at
Post Carbon also benefitted from their understanding of permaculture theory and
design as they suggested several great ideas to improve the Energy Garden site.

Three days later, on Friday, September 28^th, the
next day of tours began and about twenty people participated in a series of
free workshops. They learned about ethanol production, appropriate
technologies, and relocalization. The attendees were engaging and several deep
discussions were sparked about responses to the coming transition. As the
methods for developing the Energy Farm were shared, hopes and fears about a
world with less oil were addressed with thoughtful questions and creative group
brainstorms.

Our last day of tours was on Sunday, September 30^th.
The workshops were the same as on Friday, and they were honed
to a more family oriented atmosphere. Forty-five people came over the course of the day
and a third of them were children who showed enthusiasm that provoked smiles
all around. The day was filled with joy and laughter, making relocalization a
reality rather than a mere idea. People harvested vegetables from the garden,
used a leg powered Japanese winnower and a mill to process wheat and barley. The bio fuel discussions led to good connections and the sharing of knowledge.

The tours marked the end of summer for us at the Energy
Garden. We are excited to transition into the rainy season and we are currently
planting crops to feed the soil. As we work in the garden, it is a joy to see
cars slow down to look into our “yard”. With time the interest will continue to
rise and hopefully these types of gardens will proliferate. Until we see you again,
enjoy the autumn.

As the Jerusalem artichokes danced fifteen feet in the air
and the millet waved majestically, the corn and sorghum rustled rhythmically with
the breeze coming from the west, the harvest was celebrated. Once a battered
and neglected yard, infested with Bermuda grass and trash, after one season
of love, intention, and care the demonstration Energy Garden at the Post Carbon
Institute was born. Now teeming with crops that even some seasoned gardeners
have never seen; the kenaf, switchgrass, quinoa, sorghum, and other plants
represent a resiliency and bounty that inspire hope and action. On three days in late September the community
learned about and participated in home scale responses to current global
problems.

On Tuesday, September 25^th the Permaculture Class
from the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC.org) arrived with thirty people to see the Energy Garden. Well informed
and motivated by the holistic education delivered by Brock Dolman and other
teachers at OAEC, the students engaged in an interactive tour and design
session at Post Carbon’s Energy Garden. To see the details of the design
charrettes please see the blog at http://energyfarms.net/node/1397.
The two hour tour was stimulating as the students learned about the context of
Peak Oil and the purpose and reasons behind the Energy Farm Network. We here at
Post Carbon also benefitted from their understanding of permaculture theory and
design as they suggested several great ideas to improve the Energy Garden site.

Three days later, on Friday, September 28^th, the
next day of tours began and about twenty people participated in a series of
free workshops. They learned about ethanol production, appropriate
technologies, and relocalization. The attendees were engaging and several deep
discussions were sparked about responses to the coming transition. As the
methods for developing the Energy Farm were shared, hopes and fears about a
world with less oil were addressed with thoughtful questions and creative group
brainstorms.

Our last day of tours was on Sunday, September 30^th.
The workshops were the same as on Friday, and they were honed
to a more family oriented atmosphere. Forty-five people came over the course of the day
and a third of them were children who showed enthusiasm that provoked smiles
all around. The day was filled with joy and laughter, making relocalization a
reality rather than a mere idea. People harvested vegetables from the garden,
used a leg powered Japanese winnower and a mill to process wheat and barley. The bio fuel discussions led to good connections and the sharing of knowledge.

The tours marked the end of summer for us at the Energy
Garden. We are excited to transition into the rainy season and we are currently
planting crops to feed the soil. As we work in the garden, it is a joy to see
cars slow down to look into our “yard”. With time the interest will continue to
rise and hopefully these types of gardens will proliferate. Until we see you again,
enjoy the autumn.

Pest control at the Sebastopol Energy Garden does not involve the use of any commercial organic or chemical pesticides; rather the encouragement of natural pest controlling systems. A variety of plants have been intentionally planted to encourage beneficial insects and deter derimental insects from vulnerable crops. Other plants have been planted as trap crops, that is they attract pests to lure them away from other crops. By planting trap crops we can create dense aggregations of pests and manage them with non harmful sprays such as soapy garlic and cayene pepper water or leave them be and hope for predatory insects to find them and aggregate around the trap crops as well.

Such was the case with the two plots of Canola that were planted in the Energy Garden this year. Canola is often planted for the oil rich seeds that it produces but also as a trap crop and beneficial insect attractant. While the plant is preferred by aphids, a trait that we observed this winter, the flowers of Canola attract adults of the following species of hoverflies (Syrphidae): Allograpta obliqua (Say), Sphaerophoria spp., Syrphus spp., and Toxomerus spp. Larvae of all of these species are predators on aphids. In addition adult lady bugs, soldier beetles, and a variety of predatory wasps are attracted to Canola due to the dense populations of aphids that inhabit it. By planting Canola in the garden this year we not only lured herbivorous aphids away from other brassica crops that we grew, we increased the populations of predatory insects in the garden.

In addition to growing plants that deter herbivourous insects and attract predatory insects we have provided habitat for predatory birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, and salamanders in hopes that they prey upon pests that visit the garden. Snails are also regularly captured and fed to the chickens as a source of protein and calories, and gopher traps are set and monitored.

By encouragin ecological pest control as opposed to using chemical and organic pesticides we improve the ecological health of the garden without the risk of harming our crops and ultimately ourselves. Rather than removing all insects from the garden ecosystem, a charecteristic of most pesticides, we are able to combat only those that are detrimental to our crops.

Two and a half million tons of commercial pesticides are now applied
annually in the United States. Because of pests ability to develop
resistance towards chemical treatments, pesticide effectiveness
decreases and our dependence upon them increases with each spraying.
Production of these
chemicals now accounts for 6% of US agricultural energy consumption as
the industry continues to grow.
 

Caroline Cox lists ten reasons why not to use pesticides in the Journal of Pesticed Reform:

1. Pesticides don’t solve pest problems. They don’t change the conditions that encourage pests.

2. Pesticides are hazardous to human health. Every year, enormous quantities of pesticides known to cause significanthealth problems are used in the U.S.

3. Pesticides cause special problems for children. For their size, they consume more food and drink than adults, and both of these can be contaminated with pesticides. They play in ways that increase their exposure. Also,their growing bodies can be particularly sensitive.

4. Pesticides often contaminate food. The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture means that pesticides are frequently found on a variety of common foods.

5. Pesticides are particularly hazardous for farmers and farmworkers. There are no comprehensive systems for tracking pesticide illnesses, and research shows that farmers and farmworkers face risks of both short-term poisonings and long-term illness.

6. Pesticides are hazardous to pets. Pet poisonings occur frequently, and exposure to lawncare pesticides is associated with a higher risk of cancer in dogs.

7. Pesticides contaminate water and air. Monitoring studies find pesticides in almost every sample that is tested.

8. Pesticides are hazardous to fish and birds. Enormous quantities of pesticides already known to EPA to cause problems for fish and birds are used in the U.S.

9. Pesticides are immensely profitable for the corporations who manufacture them, yet these corporations conduct or sponsor the tests used to determine their safety

10. Pesticides have too many secrets. Where are pesticides used in our communities? When? How much? What’s in them? We almost never have good answers to these questions.

For more information check out these sites 

http://www.organicgardeningguru.com/pesticides.html

http://www.pw.ucr.edu/textfiles/Stormwater%20%20The%20Urban%20Pesticide%...

http://www.chem-tox.com/pesticides/ 

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5409/is_199810/ai_n21427664 

1. Before building your chicken tractor, Draw up a Design of how you envision the structure; you can look online to aid you in doing so.

* We chose a triangular design after browsing through images because it seemed to offer the most structural support as well as being relatively simple.

2 . Make measurements, Cut Pieces, and Build Frame

* The wood that we had to work with was limited, and for that reason the measurements that we used were relative to the cuts of wood that we had.

Quantity Size Cut Purpose

3 2"x4"x7' Both flat (90o) Corners of Triangle

3 1"x1"x4.5" Both ends at 45o angles outward Downward Supports

6 1"X1"x42" Both ends at 45o angles outward Top Supports

3 1"x1"x20" Both ends at 45o angles outward Middle Supports

2 1"x1"x40" Both ends at 45o angles outward Bottom Supports

4 1"x1"x3'5.5" Both flat (90o) Lenghtwise Supports

2 1"x1"x40" Both flat (90o) Very Bottom Supports

* We found it easier to attatch the 1"x1"x4.5" pieces to the 2"x4"x7' that was to be the top of our chicken tractor using 1.5" screws. We placed one flush with each end and one in the very middle. We then attatched all six 1"X1"x42" on either side of the 1"x1"x4.5" supports. Before attatching the 1"x1"x20" supports we screwed on the two 1"x1"x40" bottom supports; this just makes it easier to put the middle supports on.

* Perpendicular to the 1"x1"x4.5" downward supports we attatched 1"x1"x3'5.5" lengthwise supports. We placed these in a fashion that was flush with the 1"x1"x20" middle supports. It is to these pieces that we later staled the shade cloth to.

4. Attatch Wheels and Handles

* The wheels that we purchased are entirely galvanized steel and only cost $5.00 at the local hardware store. We attatched them to the corner of the bottom 2"x4"x7' corners of the triangle with two screws and to the very bottom 1"x1"x40" support with a third. A wheel was attatched to all four corners. To the front and back faces of the triangles, where the top 2"x4"x7' beam and the 1"x1"x4.5" supports meet, we attatched handles so as to push and pull the chicken tractor.

3. Attatch Shade Cloth, and Chicken Wire

* So as to provide the chickens with a source of shade we attatched cloth along the upper portion of the chicken tractor's frame. Pulling on the cloth while using a staple gun, we made sure it was as tight as possible. On the triangle fances we had to do some bunching to make it tight. We then cut the remaining fabric off.

* We obtained chicken wire for $1.00/1'x4' at the hardware store. We stapled the chicken wire over the fabric on all but the triangle face where the door was to be placed. Using wire cutters we removed the remaining chicken wire.

4. Build the Door

Quantity Size Cut Purpose

4 2"x4"x14" Both flat (90o) Vertical part of frame and door

1 1"x1"x14" One flat (90o) One 45o outward Next to frame; to staple wire to

2 2"x4"x20" Both flat (90o) Horizontal part of door

* To build the frame of the door turned out to be the most difficult part. We used 2 hinges which came in a pack together and cost $4.00 at the hardware store. We first built the frame using two 2"x4"x14" vertical pieces then built the door using the two remaining pieces as well as the two 2"x4"x20" horizontal pieces (For this it required 2.5" screws). We attatched the door to the frame using the hinges and then sandwhiched the hinges between one of the 2"x4"x14" vertical pieces from the frame and the 1"x1"x14" piece.

5. Finish off the Door Side Chicken Wire

* Staple chicken wire to the door and to all the parts of the chicken tractor's frame.

6. Let the chickens roam the yard without having to worry about your crops

We have again added bed space to the Energy Garden, this
time in the shape of a mandala. Utilizing techniques from Gaia’s Garden
by Toby Hemenway, we are slowly building the hardpan barren “lawn”, read: super
invasive bermuda grass and clumps of dead sod, into nutrient rich humus. As double
digging was near impossible, we are letting the worms to the work by creating a
sheet mulch close to 18 inches thick.

First we created the design for the area and then marked the
edges of the mandala on the earth. Next we began creating the bed. Otherwise
known as lasagna gardening, we chopped away some of the clumps of grass and started
with an inch layer of manure. We followed that with cardboard, then with an
inch or two of organic vineyard compost from Grab and Grow in Sebastopol. According
to the grab and grow website, it is “made
from a simple blend of grape pumice, green waste and oyster shell flour, this compost
has no manures or supplemental nitrogen fertilizers added to this high
potassium mix.

This was
followed by a single “book” layer of wheat straw, then with another inch or two
of mango mulch. “It doesn’t have any mangos in it, but it does have horse and
cow manure to supply basic nutrients; grape and apple pumice which are high in
beneficial bacteria and yeasts to aid with the breakdown of organic matter;
rice hulls and straw for good soil tilth; soft rock phosphate and greensand to
boost the phosphorous and potassium.” This was followed by a layer of alfalfa
straw and wheat straw mixed together. We will plant by opening pockets in about
a month.

Next we created
the paths by laying burlap bags donated by Taylor Made Farms in Sebastopol. On
top of the burlap we put down woodchips. The irrigation was then laid under the
straw. We have also sheet mulched and
prepared a new berry patch next to the sunflowers and driveway in the front of
the house. In an epic battle with the Bermuda grass we have also sheet mulched
all of the paths on the property with cardboard and woodchips. We hacked down
most of it and hope it never comes back. It looks great right now.

Before...

After... let the worms do the digging!

For the past two and a half months I have been a part of the Post Carbon Institute's efforts to encourage relocalization and investigate strategies for a post carbon world. Starting with a residential backyard in Sebastopol California, we transformed a portion of lawn into twenty one 4x10' energy crop beds. As time progressed so did our ambitions; we extended into the front yard where we double dug ten 4x20' beds and in another section three 4x33' beds. The soil in which we are digging is of the Sebastopol sandy loam series and therefore provided rapid drainage and contained low quantities of organic matter. To each bed we added a couple wheel barrows worth of compost to improve the organic content of the soil as well as to encourage water retention in the A horizon. For the paths surrounding the beds we laid medium sized cedar wood chips to serve as aesthetic appeal and weed prevention.

As temperatures increase, the next phase of our project required laying irrigation for the 2168’ of fertile soil. We chose to use ½” pvc attached to ¾” drip line as it is the most resource conserving method of watering as well as very flexible in the methods of watering that it allows for. Installing an automatic timing system to govern four valves as well as manual shut off valves at each bed allows us complete control of the amount of water we use; with each line running at a half gallon per hour we will be able to utilize the system to calculate the amount of water input per biomass output.

Along with energy crops, we have planted a variety of vegetables and just recently an herb garden including both medicinal and culinary herbs. Due to the nonlinear placement of plants in these beds we will be laying a mist emitting line, running from the same automated system, in the near future.

To assist in jump starting the planting season we have built three cold frames in which we can safely keep flats of seedlings overnight without any risk to external conditions. Using a layer of manure beneath the flats we have employed exothermic bacterial decomposition as an overnight heat source.

We recently purchased four pullets: one Rhode Island Red, and 3 Sex-links. Out of recycled wood we have built for them a chicken coop equipped with a removable floor, an outward opening wall, and an egg harvesting panel. At night they are safely protected from predators as well a provided with comfortable roosting conditions; however, during the day they are allowed to roam free in the 150 sq. ft. pen that we have built.

To the grass we removed and other organic material, including food scraps from the kitchen, we are adding straw and dirt and promoting decomposition in three compost containers that we have constructed. The chickens are allowed access to two of these containers.

With the summer quickly approaching there are many exciting tasks ahead of us: flats to be planted, seedlings to be transplanted, and many more building projects (benches, pocket gardens, a living roof, etc.), not to mention the regular maitenance.