PDC Day 3: Patterns
This class was all about flow: us flowing from space to space, the
rain flowing from the sky, and the observation of the flow of patterns.
We first had a delicious brunch at Ethical Kitchen in North
Vancouver. I had been to this lovely spot before and remembered purchasing a
delicious home-brewed lavender soda, but I'm surprised that I didn't know more
about it. I'm sure glad to have rediscovered this ethical eatery right in my
own neighbourhood! Delvin introduced us to the topic of the day and we played a
neat pattern recognition game. It was fun placing different images in
categories like "spiral", "scatter",
"streamline", "circle within circle" and Bill Mollison's own "overbeck jet". It
made everyone realize how much the same patterns are repeated on different
scales in nature. Delvin went over some more maps as we chowed down on eggs,
salad, sauerkraut, and guzzled kombucha, and then we were off!
A circle within a circle! Photo: Lucie Bardos |
The first stop of the day was Loutet Farm - once again in North
Vancouver! This farm is located on an old landfill site, which was previously covered
by underutilized parkland. Some creative minds decided to collaborate and
create this functional organic farm that brings local veggies to many
neighbours! Delvin told us to try and spot the differences between this place
and the Permaculture garden we would visit later that day.
The next stop was Strathcona Community Garden off Strathcona park.
It was an amazing oasis in the city and the real fun was observing the
different gardening styles people used when tending to their plots. Some plots
were a giant tangle of flowers, other neat rows of lettuces, others used
sculptural and artistic accents - it was really all over the board!
Flowers at Strathcona Community Garden. Photo: Lucie Bardos |
Neat beds next to a more liberal gardening approach. Photo: Lucie Bardos |
What patterns do you see? Web, scatter, lobes, star.... Photo: Lucie Bardos |
The final and most beautiful garden was across the park: Cottonwood
Community Garden. This garden was designed according to Permaculture principles
and it was definitely visible! Everything seemed to flow together and I was
able to spot many Permaculture elements from intensive vegetable beds to
orchard/managed woodland. I was definitely able to note the differences between
this place and Loutet. While Loutet used straight lines, domed greenhouses and
had a lot of exposed soil, Cottonwood has very little exposed soil and very few
straight lines! Comfrey was growing all over the place there and Delvin explained
how the greenhouse made excellent use of the available sunlight by having a thick
heat-storing north wall, a sloping South-facing wall, and thick insulated
glass.
The greenhouse at Cottonwood Community Garden. Photo: Lucie Bardos |
For the last talk of the day we huddled in a bamboo grove then sped
off to the Homesteaders Emporium where visiting teacher Kimchi led a fun
lesson/activity on addressing destructive patterns/problems such as lack of
time, GMO's, and poverty by utilizing Permaculture principles. I really loved
how she brought us into the realm of social Permaculture as this is a topic
that I am really interested in. In general, I really love the fact that you can
apply Permaculture to any aspect of life: business, economics, the home, social
studies, art.... everything!
Looks like next class will be back on the Sunshine Coast to talk
about soil: can't wait! I read a great quote from Toby Hemenway today "...soil
is miraculous. It is where the dead are brought back to life." Take a
second to think about that. It's pretty amazing on a scientific and spiritual
level, ain't it?!
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