Comments on: Small Scale and Urban Food Production

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:17:28 +0000

Great point Tom… I’m in the process of purchasing rural property and excited to learn through experience. I’d be curious to hear more about where in the world you are Tom and what you’re experimenting with.

Cheers

By: Tom Toogood

Tom Toogood — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:21:01 +0000

Brad, you say you are still not convinced. Permaculture is
learning by interaction & observation, meaning, the only way to
find the answer is to do it (not continue just thinking and calculating the maths), and learn by trial and error.
Combining the rear sections of several urban lots gives room for bigger nut trees. Where theres a will theres a way.
We have not succeeded 100% but we are progressing in our own lot.

By: Brad

Brad — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:51:42 +0000

Thanks for your response Arian. Is it feasible to grow Walnuts, Macadamias and other large nut trees on an urban lot? I don’t think the Path to Freedom folks are doing that. Who in the continental US can grow coconuts? Avocados are massive and produce dense shade. Now, root vegetables I’m excited about… do you know anyone who has produced a successful formula for potato towers? I’m also enthusiastic about attracting pigeons for their eggs and would love some advice there. I’m still not convinced that you can feed yourself from an urban lot. Any examples of people doing it?

By: Arian I.

Arian I. — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:47:57 +0000

6000 x 10 = 60,000 lbs/acre

60,000/40 = 1500 lbs. per person, per year

Now what’s the caloric value of it all and what food items are included? Walnuts, macadamias, and other fatty nuts provide plenty of calories when eaten in quantity. Fresh coconut meat is another such nut. Avocados also provide fat as well as vitamins. Finally, many fruits provide sugars and root vegetables (e.g., potato and manioc) provide plenty of complex carbs.

And, if vegetable sources are not enough, one can get chicken, duck, pork, or even beef, depending on the environment and permaculture design.

It is possible to feed oneself mostly or even entirely from a home garden, but of course there will still be a number of items that must be purchased elsewhere.

I’ll watch the video again. Somehow my computer is not letting it download.

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:24:41 +0000

I’m not sure how 6,000 pounds of produce per year on 1/10 acre translates to feeding 40 people per acre. You can’t live on produce. Where are the calories? Let’s talk REAL solutions…

PS – I’m loving these short videos, keep ‘em coming!