Part 1/3 UMass Permaculture Documentary Series
Donate to UMass Permaculture! umass.edu UMass Amherst transformed a 1/4 grass lawn on campus into a thriving, abundant, permaculture garden during the 2010-2011 academic year. Learn how this student-led project can be easily replicated and spread to other campuses, institutions… any piece of land for that matter. UMass Amherst is one of the first university’s undertaking a project like this, directly on campus, and supplying the food to its dining commons.
25 Responses to Part 1/3 UMass Permaculture Documentary Series
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@anadler0625 You can now donate to us via the link above (and at the end of the video)! All funds go directly toward creating more diverse, thriving, abundant, edible, educational, sustainable, and beautiful campus landscapes!
UMassPermaculture
November 17, 2011 at 4:26 pm
This is terrific. As a UMass Alumna who was active in promoting sustainability on campus I am proud to hear about this project! You should talk to the alumni fund raising committee about allowing alumni to donate directly to projects like these – I would be proud to do so!
anadler0625
November 17, 2011 at 4:26 pm
I do a lot of gardening and to a point practice permaculture. I’ll tell you now, after 5 months planting in woods chips that are not decomposed will not get you much in the way of plant production. It takes 2 years for pine to break down.
Not to mention the bugs eating up teh new greens.
blackpowderbill
November 17, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@jetle25 I understand the concept of sheet mulching. What I was curious about was the order in which they put the material down, which is opposite to what is normally done in sheet mulching. Usually the cardboard is placed on the ground first, blocking weed growth, and the other material is placed on top to form the soil in which to plant. I was wondering if there was an advantage in their situation to place the cardboard on top.
madeofyucca
November 17, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@madeofyucca They are doing a sheet mulching technique rather then tilling the ground to get the soil ready for planting. By applying the cardboard, which is practically free and readily available, it provides a barrier to prevent weeds from sprouting. No Light. Also its biodegradable and provides plenty of nitrogen to the soil. After 5 months of degrading the soil is weed free and rich in minerals from the compost, microbes, and beneficial fungi.
jetle25
November 17, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Excellent. You have a difficult road to walk. Unless you are careful, you will dissipate, rather than build with your efforts, the Creative Tension that is needed to radically change things in time. Take care. Start Loving
StartLoving4
November 17, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Ever heard of “terra preta”. I’m sure this can be nicely combined with permaculture.
dailydols
November 17, 2011 at 6:38 pm
SO COOL. You’re doing great work. Thank you so much for sharing your process on video. So many of us are excited to watch you grow & get our grow on too 🙂
Sending you gratitude & supportive energy!
Peace,
Lauren
EffortlessVitality
November 17, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Cool!
Why did you folks chose to put the cardboard on top of the compost as opposed to vise versa?
madeofyucca
November 17, 2011 at 7:03 pm
When are the other two parts coming out?
morelmo
November 17, 2011 at 7:45 pm
the kids are alright! way 2 go <3
basilrose
November 17, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Awesome !!!! Keep at it y’all!!!!
JohnnyMcpott
November 17, 2011 at 8:53 pm
wow! this is really heartening. would love to cover it in Green Life – India’s first mainstream green lifestyle magazine. And hope it inspires many more such efforts.
meenunamit
November 17, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Wonderful and inspiring video! Keep up the great work and keep spreading the invaluable knowledge of permaculture!
nicoleb3313
November 17, 2011 at 10:18 pm
The National Gardening Association: This is a great video! I love how clearly and easily the video demonstrates the permaculture process. Thanks For sharing it with our Fans. We hope you reach your target of 10,000 views soon! Paul Simon
simonsezzz25
November 17, 2011 at 10:37 pm
This is amazing, and the movie is really well done. I think the ultimate test of the success of the garden will be to look at it again when the students of UMass weren’t involved in making it (4 years from now). I would love to see what would happen then, to see if they take it for granted, or if they continue to work on it and for it.
fremen13
November 17, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Great work, and great start. Make sure to water that cardboard, though; adds moisture, helps it breakdown (someday) and prevents all your students from slipping… fewer cracked permie skulls
BenZolno
November 18, 2011 at 12:16 am
Hurray for UMASS!
elenapowers
November 18, 2011 at 12:23 am
Way to go Ryan and all! Change the World every day!
ddamery19
November 18, 2011 at 12:42 am
It’s great to see this outside Franklin! But 200,000 pounds sounds like an extremely profligate use of compost… Since the average gardener can’t produce anywhere near that much compost, how much would it cost to purchase? Oh, and please plant some Sea Kale 🙂
FreedomFox1
November 18, 2011 at 12:43 am
its good to see other motivated youth. great job guys.
opolopio
November 18, 2011 at 12:57 am
Absolutely awesome!!! Love it!!! I wish every university, every school, every community could follow your steps. Keep leading by example. Thank you!
KDavinchi5
November 18, 2011 at 1:11 am
Wonderful, really inspiring!
Uberbabe62
November 18, 2011 at 2:06 am
that’s pretty cool!
adamsjm3
November 18, 2011 at 2:14 am
Yay! Keep up the great work!
erickgreenwillow
November 18, 2011 at 3:05 am