Urban Permaculture

Green Drinks NYC @ The Hort April 8th, 2014

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

What is Permaculture?
Formalized in the late 1970s in Australia by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, permaculture combines sustainable agriculture, landscape design, and ecology. Its name comes from the terms permanent and agriculture or culture. Policulture perennial forest garden ecosystem Its a whole system approach to design of human settlements with the goal of meeting human needs while increasing ecosystem health. It mimics natural ecosystems to produce a life supportive system where plants are placed in mutually beneficial plant communities, using the smallest practical area.
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Revolution is based on land. Land is the basis of all independence.

Malcolm X

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Before it was Less is more now it is Do More with Less

Grow more food in less time and for less $. Abundance of food, saving effort in the garden. Fresh produce not only tastes better its also more nutritious. Layering and stacking, multiple functions, multiple back up for single essential function Different solutions for different environments: Patterns Strategies Appropriate techniques. No chemical fertilizer or pesticides, but beneficial insects, nitrogen fixing crops, and maybe chickens! No till methods, encouraging biological activity in the soil to add fertility.
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The Ethics of Permaculture

Earth care
People care Fair share
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Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

12 Principles of Permaculture
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Observe and interact Catch and store energy (e.g. passive solar , rainwater) Obtain a yield (crop and sharing of knowledge) Apply self-regulation and respond to feedback Use renewable resources Produce no waste: re-use the leftovers, compost. Design from patterns to details Integrate rather than segregate Use small and slow solutions Use and value diversity Use the edges Creatively use and respond to change
Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Back to local economy

Retrofitting the infrastructure to be more regionally self reliant: ecologically and socially responsible while economically sound; 1 out of 6 people farming is enough to return to regional agriculture; Resilience: decentralize infrastructure made by the people for the people. New Jobs opportunities
Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Why are people attracted to Permaculture?

It represents a solution to the current economic, environment, social, and food crisis; Life more connected to Nature; Provides a more simple and healthy lifestyle; Teaches to think outside the box: the problem is the solution! Empowering: freedom from the conformity of global growth; Connects with an international network of new pioneers; It closes that loop; Job opportunities: many areas to specialize in.
Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Harvest Rainwater!
2014 Green Infrastructure Grant Program: DEP makes $6M in new grants available for projects that divert rainwater from Combine Sewer Systems. Most NYC uses Combine Sewer Systems that overflow sewer into local waterways with as little as rain event. City-wide effort to soften the impervious urban landscape and help absorb rainwater. Install rainwater catchment systems and tanks and use the water for irrigation of your garden! For every inch of rain per sf of catchment you collect half gallon of water.

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Raised beds:
Control over soil quality Clear walking paths to preserve soil and keep the mud out of your shoes Accessibility Aesthetics and Design

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Raised Beds

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Creative wood planters

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Think vertical!

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Re-use pallets

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How to use gutters

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On a budget? Use juice boxes

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Companion Planting
Companion plants are plants that either assist the health and growth of another plant, repel pests and diseases or benefit other plants in some other way. The relationship is a synergistic one where both plants grow better together than they would on their own. E.g. Comfrey, a plant with long tap roots can deep mine nutrients that the Citrus could not reach below the ground. When Comfrey let leaves go, they become highly nutritious for the Citrus. E.g. Fava beans is a nitrogen fixer and goes well with Pecan tree offering shade.
Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Plant

Good Companions

Bad Companions

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Basil & Thime

Basil & Fennel

Thime & Phormium

Sage & Succulent

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Fruit Trees Varieties for Urban Settings:

- dwarf
- semi dwarf - columnar

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Tower Garden hydroponic system

Indoors or outdoors With or without natural light

Daniel Raitses Consulting

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Hydroponics in a NY Apt!
Small systems for one person or a whole family Organic materials for sustainable hydroponics Closed loop vertical hydroponics rig made from locally sourced bamboo.

Daniel Raitses Consulting

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

What about the soil?

Compost is the most important supplement you can give your garden soil.

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Composting Benefits
Soil conditioner: With compost, you are creating rich humus for lawn and garden. This adds nutrients to your plants and helps retain moisture in the soil.

Recycles kitchen and yard waste: Composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from the garbage can.
Introduces beneficial organisms to the soil: Microscopic organisms in compost help aerate the soil, break down organic material for plant use and ward off plant disease.

Good for the environment: Composting offers a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers.
Reduces landfill waste: Most landfills in North America are quickly filling up; many have already closed down. One-third of landfill waste is made up of compostable materials.

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

What to compost
It needs Nitrogen and Carbon. Nitrogen comes from Separable Organics: EPA definition of waste that could become soil. Its also called Greens: vegetable scraps, garden trimmings, and grass clippings. Carbon comes from Browns such as fall leaves, shredded newspaper and cardboard, wood shavings (no PT), and pine needles.

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Several techniques
In general, small shredded material is much faster to mature. Anaerobic: it uses organisms that work without oxygen inside a sealed container or underground. Its slower and you cant monitor the process, but it doesnt need additional . Aerobic: the secret is in the balance between nitrogen, carbon, water, and air: too much carbon makes it slower but too much nitrogen or water makes it smelly, aeration accelerate the process. Vermicompost uses worms and its probably the best and faster technique but not for everybody. Lasagna composting: more later Bokashi composting: more later

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Lasagna Composting
Its a no-dig, no-till: little work and rich soil. Add lasagna layers of organic materials that will mature over time creating rich soil. Layer 1: Cardboard or newspaper directly on designated area Layer 2: Browns such as fall leaves, shredded newspaper and cardboard, wood chips (no PT), and pine needles. Layer 3: Greens such as vegetable scraps, garden trimmings, and grass clippings. Half the thickness of green layer. Continue for about 1-6or 2, then add 6 of rich soil and plant in it!
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Bokashi Composting
The scraps are inoculated with beneficial microorganisms. It is easy and quick: 7-10 days to mature Versatile: compost all of your kitchen wastes including dairy, meat, and baked goods. No strong putrid odors. No insects or rodents. No nutrients are lost. No need for a yard or large compost piles. No turning necessary. No need to worry about green to brown ratios. It generates composting tea as a side products http://bokashicomposting.com/
Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Compost in drawers under your raised beds: plant above and compost below

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Bee Keeping
- Honey: Honey is sweet and delicious. - Beeswax: make organic candles. - Pollination: most fruits and veggies that we eat cant grow without bees. - Help Stop Colony Collapse Disorder. - Relaxing hobby that could turn into a business.

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Chicken Coop!
Eggs are tastier, fresher and more nutritious; Chicken manure is great for compost; Chickens prepare the soil for planting; Hobby that could become a great business.

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Case Study : Angelos micro garden

640sf of growing space. Abundance and variety: 80 medicinal plants, 30 fruit trees and a variety of berries and vegetables. Multiple functions: e.g. grapevines to protect from harsh summer sun and wind and provide microclimate for strawberries, production of grapes and nutritious mulch with fallen leaves. Smart pruning and companion planting In its first year it produced 286 lbs of fruit. He said.
Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Case Study: Angelos garden design

Intensively planted and over stacked food forest to maximize vertical use of space: combining trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, ground cover plants, root crops, climbers. All planting beds have herbs, annual, and perennial vegetables, and companion plants

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Angelos yield of vegetables after 5 months

Variety Yield (g) apples (pink lady) 211 apricots 7,360 babaco 7,557 bitter melon 214 blackcurrants 4 blueberry 20 broad beans 8,925 carrot 3,760 celery 963 chilli 131 climbing beans 3,426 cucumber 998 figs 407 garlic 56 globe artichokes 1,372 grapes (sultana) 3,306 kangkong 249 lettuce 2326 mandarine 16,380 mulberry 168 nectarine 594 peaches 189 pepino 1,578 pomegranate 2,526 potato (desiree) 6,297 potato (kestrel) 1,388 potato (kipfler) 7,834 potato (red rascal) 934 potato (russet) 5,925 radish 173 raspberry 709 raspberry (large) 141 snow pea 901 strawberry 1,414 sweet corn 539 tomato 9,864 zucchini 2,809 Grand Total 101,648 g or 224 lbs

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Project: LIC Urban Farm

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Project: LIC Urban Farm

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Project: LIC Urban Farm

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Project: Brooklyn Rooftop Farm

Clients requests: Full enjoyment of the space for family gatherings Abundant food production to incorporate into her business of organic vegetable deliveries. Existing conditions: Roofing material absorbs heat and becomes a problem in the summer. The edges of the space are very low and dangerous. Sun exposure is excellent The entrance to the terrace is located on the south side so it is partly shaded.

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Project: Brooklyn Rooftop Farm

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Project: Brooklyn Rooftop Farm

Proposed Design: New paving material minimize heat absorption and improves insulation. Rainwater catchment system for gravity fed irrigation Pergola at the entrance with vines (kiwi or grapes) for more shade in the summer to host family events. Raised beds around the perimeter to create a barrier from edge, and keep spaciousness in the middle Dwarf fruit trees at edges for privacy and protection from wind, inter-croping and companion planting.

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com

Project: Raised beds installation

With Daniel Raitses Consulting

Silvia Neri LLC - Architecture & Permaculture Design - silvianeridesign.com