International Permaculture Convergence 11, 2013 Cuba

ipcii

After the three most unsustainable days of my life, spent mostly in aeroplanes and hotel rooms, we arrived in Cuba for the eleventh IPC in late November and early December last year.

First up was a conference held over three days in Havana. We were treated to a great overview of permaculture from speakers from around the globe, in both English and Spanish. Day 1 was ‘Permaculture on islands’. Day 2 focused on ‘Climate change’ and Day 3 was on ‘Urban permaculture’ with examples of inspiring community-based projects and organisational structures.

Following the conference there was a day of urban tours. The food gardens were inspiring, combining permaculture with other areas of life – one with anti-violence education, another a car detailing business!

The highlight was Organoponico Vivero Alamar, a commercial food production system in the suburbs which brought approving gasps

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Growing Citrus: Zest For Life

citrus

Citrus is a mainstay of Australian yards. From the ubiquitous lemon tree in the corner through to a kumquat in a pot on the balcony, citrus has so much to offer home gardeners if cared for correctly.

When they’re healthy and productive, backyard citrus is a great addition to any size home garden. As well as providing nutritious food during winter, citrus offers many advantages to a permaculture garden. Hardy, compact and evergreen, citrus can perform tasks like windbreaks and shelter, and dwarfing varieties means they can be happy in a pot which can be moved to suit your needs.

Citrus is a hungry crop and requires regular maintenance to ensure high yields and pest deterrence, but a well-maintained example of a variety chosen to specifically meet your needs will bring many benefits.

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