"Afristar Foundation utilises Permaculture design systems as the primary methodology of our community development strategy. Permaculture is an optimistic,

Permaculture food forests are autopilot gardens that need little human intervention except in the beginning. Here's how to build one.

Permaculture zones and the elements that are placed into them are chosen according to the amount of labor input those elements require for success.

Permaculture is a well-designed garden or landscape where you see the harmony between nature and available resources. In permaculture, we adopt different techniques and principles…

The Blueberry, one of the most perfect fruits! http://www.immortalhumans.com/wp-content/uploads/Blueberry__23651_zoom.jpg Common Name: Blueberries Scientific Name: Species in the Vaccinium genus and the Cyanococcus section Family: Ericaceae (the Heather family) There are so many species and varieties of blueberries available Here is a patented variety of Southern Highbush Blueberry named Jewel. http://www.floridahillnursery.com/images/JewelBlueberry.jpg Common Species: Lowbush/Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) Rabbiteye/Southern Black Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei or Vaccinium virgatum) Northern/Alpine Blueberry (Vaccinium boreale) Highbush Blueberry (Northern) (Vaccinium corymbosum) Highbush Blueberry (Southern) (Vaccinium darrowii) Creeping Blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium) Velvet Leaf/Canadian Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides) Kids love to help pick blueberries - a great way to get kids in Nature http://benhewittvermont.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/blueberry-kids.jpg Description: The Blueberry is one of the most well known fruit around the world. It is highly nutritious, highly flavorful, and used in a variety of ways. Primarily used for its fruit, there are blueberries that can be grown in almost any Temperate Climate around the world. A little work is needed to get their acidic soil needs met, but after that we are left with a moderately long-lived, productive plant needing very little maintenance. Blueberries are on my list of mandatory plants in the Forest Garden. Vaccinium corymbosum http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/bigphoto/VACCOR_.jpg History: Native to North America, blueberries were used my Native Americans for thousands of years before Europeans took this plant around the world. The first cultivated blueberries (Highbush Blueberries) were introduced in Europe in the 1930’s. Trivia: The Bilberry, aka “European Blueberry” (Vaccinium myrtillus) is closely related to the North American blueberry species, but it is not in the Cyanococcus section of the Vaccinium genus, so they are not true blueberries. Bilberries have red flesh unlike the white or light green flesh of true blueberries. “Huckleberry” refers to a plant that is either a true huckleberry in the Gaylussacia or Vaccinium genus like the Blue Huckleberry (G. frondosa) or Red Huckleberry (V. parvifolium). The name “Huckleberry” is often a local name given to plants, typically in the Appalacia area of Eastern North America, that are really true blueberries. "Half-High" Blueberries are a cross between Highbush and Lowbush types. They are very tolerant of cold weather, but reportedly are not too flavorful. Blueberry Tart... enough said! Here's the recipe USING THIS PLANT Primary Uses: Fresh Fruit Cooked Fruit Baked Goods, Pies, Tarts, Pancakes (!), etc. Preserves, Jams, Jellies, etc. Dried Frozen (place washed and dried fruit in a single layer on a wax-paper lined baking sheet and place into the freezer for 20-30 minutes before placing in a container – this will keep the berries from freezing together into one large chunk) Juiced Used as primary or flavoring agent in beers, wine, liquors, cordials, etc. The Creeping Blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium) is a great, evergreen ground cover http://www.briggsnursery.com/assets/photos/Original/VAC_cWellsDelight.jpg Secondary Uses: General insect (especially bees) nectar plant Wildlife food source Hummingbird plant Ground cover plant (mainly the Lowbush Blueberry in cooler climates and the Creeping Blueberry in warmer climates) Edible Hedging Tea Plant – dried fruit and leaves Dye Plant - purple, from fruit and leaves Yield: 3-8 quarts (3.5-9 liters) or 8-15 lbs (3.5-6.8 kg) per mature plant Harvesting: Late Summer – Early Autumn (July - September). The best fruits are ones that fall from the branch with a little shake. Most blueberries in grocery stores were harvested once the fruit turned blue (and sometimes not even quite blue!). Blueberries to not "ripen" after picked, so harvest the berries when they have been blue for a few days. Storage: Fresh fruits will keep for 1, maybe 2, weeks in a cool, humid location Lowbush/Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) is a small, cooler weather shrub http://nhfruitgrowers.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/wild-blue-1.jpg DESIGNING WITH THIS PLANT USDA Hardiness Zone: Lowbush/Wild Blueberry: 2-7 (Deciduous) Rabbiteye Blueberry: 7-9 (Deciduous) Highbush Blueberry (Northern): 2-8 (Deciduous) Highbush Blueberry (Southern): 5-10 (Deciduous) Creeping Blueberry: 6-9 (Evergreen) AHS Heat Zone: Lowbush/Wild Blueberry: 8-1 Rabbiteye Blueberry: 7-9, said to “love the heat” Highbush Blueberry (Northern): 7-1 Highbush Blueberry (Southern): No reliable information available Creeping Blueberry: No reliable information available Chill Requirement: Lowbush/Wild Blueberry: 1,000-1,200 hours Rabbiteye Blueberry: 350-700 hours Highbush Blueberry (Northern): 800-1,000 hours Highbush Blueberry (Southern): 150-800 hours Creeping Blueberry: No reliable information available Blueberry bushes in Autumn... beautiful https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsbP_at5GWfGE7tVcLxMZjaQRHfgVSDhuSnswhBgWIE_fZxQ9UxDUAiukEL4bEc6JGtn2-eUDC9wGmRqgCLZc_cqWXuPTkc57g4uxIWdfnBSbT5yYOIZGOxlyR7ZhOsu8NeJ-P3ljtg92/s1600/FallBB.jpg Plant Type: Small Shrub (including prostrate forms) to Large Shrub Leaf Type: Most are Deciduous, few are Evergreen Forest Garden Use: Shrub Layer, Groundcover/Creeper Layer Cultivars/Varieties: Wide variety of species and varieties available – there will be at least one type well suited to your location. Most blueberries available for purchase are hybrids of multiple species. Pollination: Most are Self-Fertile; however, Blueberries will produce significantly more fruit if another cultivar/variety is in the immediate area. Pollinated by bees and other insects. Flowering: Late Spring-Early Summer (May-June) Life Span: Years to Begin Bearing: 3-5 years Years to Mature Bearing: 6-8 years Years of Useful Life: Average 10-15 years, but some plants have been productive for over 50 years Blueberry flowers attract beneficial insects, like this Mason Bee http://blueberrytalk.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/may-6-2012-011.jpg PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS PLANT Size: Lowbush/Wild Blueberry: 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) wide Rabbiteye/Southern Black Blueberry: 6-18 feet (1.8-5.4 meters) tall and wide Highbush Blueberry (Northern): 6-12 feet (1.8-3.6 meters) tall and wide Highbush Blueberry (Southern): 3 feet (0.9 meters) tall and wide Creeping Blueberry: 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) tall and spread up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide Roots: Relatively shallow and flat. Most have a suckering or stoloniferous growth habit… sending up new plants from underground roots or putting down roots from creeping stems. Growth Rate: Slow Blueberries can be used as an edible hedge Rabbiteye Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei or Vaccinium virgatum) http://www.acuffirrigation.com/files/QuickSiteImages/Rabbiteye_Blueberries.JPG GROWING CONDITIONS FOR THIS PLANT Light: Prefers full sun Shade: Tolerates medium shade, but reducing sunlight also reduces yields Moisture: Dry to moist soils, depending on the species/variety pH: prefers more acidic soil (3.5-5.5) Special Considerations for Growing: The acidic soil the blueberries love can help be maintained with pine needle mulch if available Blueberries can be early-, mid-, or late-season cropping which provides a longer harvesting season Does not tolerate juglone (natural growth inhibitor produced by Black Walnut and its relatives). Consider using another plant as a buffer between your blueberries and walnuts. Propagation: From seed. Up to 90 days of cold stratification may be required. Cuttings are possible but take some skill - softwood cuttings in Summer. Division of suckers are easier and can be taken in Spring or Autumn. Maintenance: Minimal. Cut back the “twiggy” branches at planting to encourage good initial root development. Prune after 3 years or so to open up the plant; blueberries can develop into less productive, thicket-like shrubs if left un-pruned. Yearly pruning of older woody growth will encourage new growth and larger berries. Remember that berries grow on wood that is one year or older, so don’t get too carried away every year. Netting may be required to protect the harvest from the birds If the leaves start to yellow, then the plant likely needs more acid. Concerns: None.

Permaculture Design Principles and Practices Nowadays, as the world is inevitably confronted with increasing ecological problems, permaculture, through its principles and methods, becomes the light of faith for those who want to live by nature. Permaculture, the practice of which is based on the integration of biological functions with each other and also providing food and shelter, is considered a parallel approach that could be an alternative to the conventional productive and intensive methods that have come to rule modern societies. Permaculture consists of a set of deeply thought-through design fundamentals. These are the reins that hold practitioners and empower them to construct stable and self-sufficient ecosystems. These principles are not only principles, but the philosophy behind these conceptions inspires us to keep up with the nature around us, which involves our observation, interaction, and adaptation to it. When we come to grips with and act on these tenets, we discover the way to a more sustainable and meaningful way of organizing life. Permaculture is organized around twelve conditions. Observe and Interact: Permaculture targets at the beginning point to establish a very profound appreciation of the indigenous/local environment, as well as its network of interdependent systems. Through its close observation of the prevailing natural patterns, the canvas on which the permaculture designers draw looks for opportunities to harmonize with the surrounding landscape and create integrated systems that function synergistically with the landscape. Catch and Store Energy: Permaculture makes us realize that renewable or non-renewable resources have to be conserved and used properly, and it doesn't matter what types of these resources they are: sunlight, water, or organic matter. Based on this doctrine, they are going to apply such energy sources as solar, water harvesting, and composting systems to minimize waste while aiming to maximize productivity. Obtain a Yield: Although most people associate the idea of permaculture with self-reliance, it is simultaneously understood that a system has to produce on-ground results too. Through the development of systems that reliably give input, these communities would then be able to provide food, energy, or other resources, which would in turn create a thriving, self-sustaining community. Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback: In applying the permaculture principle, practitioners are aware that every action bears any purpose whatsoever, not only the intended outcomes. Many times, the companies may not seem to provide solutions to customers' problems. Remote support is necessary for such issues, and it is the only way they may be able to make adjustments and adapt. Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services: Permaculture solutions provide for the implementation of renewable resources, inclusive of solar, wind, and biomass, as well as finite and non-renewable resources. The principle extends further to support the fact that all ecosystems, starting from the smallest, have countless

Interested in backyard permaculture design principles? Visit these 13 websites and learn permaculture basics.

Though this plant is sometimes known as a weed, learning about the benefits might make you reconsider eliminating it from your garden.

How to setup and use a homestead layout planner so you can map out what to include and where to locate each area of your homestead setup.

Edible ground covers and the herbaceous layer of the permaculture food forest. What makes a food forest garden different from an orchard? One of the distinctions lies in what's growing on the ground... In conventional

Quick and easy, you'll be glad you made a worm tower. I’m not a huge fan of worms. While everyone else is waxing poetic about the fresh scent after a good rain, my nose picks

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Discover easy permaculture projects for beginners. Learn how to create sustainable gardens with projects like raised beds, composting, and water conservation.

When I see Wattle fencing, I feel the moist British fog clinging to my skin, and a wistful smile crosses my face. Here's my tutorial for Wattle Fencing!

A permaculture swale is a technique for capturing and storing water in a garden. Learn how to build a swale in the home landscape.

Learn everything you need to know about growing radishes at home. Covering different varieties, when, and how to plant radishes, harvesting, and more!

Come learn all about hugelkultur: the pros, cons, best materials and wood to use, and how to make a hugelkultur garden bed.

A permaculture swale is a technique that captures water for irrigation and slowing runoff. Learn what a swale is and why you might need one in your yard.

See how to build this amazingly strong & durable DIY tomato support. The low cost support is the ultimate stake-a-cage tomato support!

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Remember Martha Stewart's calendar? Every month (until she discontinued it in the magazine in 2003), she kept us in tune with her circadian rhythms of dome

Save money by learning how to grow a peach tree from germinated peach pits. (It works for plums and cherries too!)

Ever had sunchokes? Also known as Jerusalem artichokes, sunchokes are a fun perennial vegetable to grow or pick up at the farmers' market. Here's what to know about sunchokes and how to use them. #seasonaleating #sunroot

Harvesting comfrey leaves is so easy! Learn how to gather and utilize this unique herb to enhance your herbal and botanical practices.

Interplanting and underplanting increase yield in small spaces. Interplanting involves growing smaller crops around your larger crops before

Raspberries are quite easy to grow, but they do need a good pruning and clean up once or twice a year. Here's how to prune raspberry plants.

Learn about permaculture polyculture gardening. Here are some polyculture examples + polyculture pros and cons. Plants for polyculture beds

The Homestead Management Binder is back with 50 pages of lists, logs, trackers, and more! Print your own or order a pre-printed version!

Should you till your garden or rely on no-till methods? I experimented with both techniques - using a rototiller in my upper garden and creating raised beds with sheet mulching in the lower garden - and share my findings!

24 different uses for shredded paper ensures your private information doesn't end up in the wrong hands and gives you creative ways to recycle scrap paper.

Want to witness the magic of the mini-forest? When you practice The Miyawaki Method, a unique approach to reforestation, you'll see an empty lot or backyard transform into a biodiverse forest before your very eyes. The following is an excerpt from Mini-Forest Revolution by Hannah Lewis. It has been adapted for the web. Photo Credit:

The Easiest Way to Get Worms Out of Broccoli - a simple kitchen trick to get rid of unwelcome broccoli worms in your produce, plus tips for the garden.

9 Dwarf Trees With High Yield Great For Small Areas! When it comes to gardening in small spaces, dwarf trees are a fantastic choice. These compact beauties not only add aesthetic appeal but also provide

This backyard food forest hosts a diverse planting of fruit trees and berries, with a mixed-species meadow understory to support pollinators and repair soil. Here's what we did.

Sheet mulching, or lasagna gardening, is an easy way to build a new garden while building great soil. Plus, you won't disturb the soil!

Here we are sharing our Sowing Carrots in Cornstarch Experiment. How it is done and what we liked about it.

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If you're not growing comfrey in your garden, you should be. We'll show you how to get started with this multi-purpose herb and why it's a must-have.

Permaculture food forests are autopilot gardens that need little human intervention except in the beginning. Here's how to build one.