[Pil-pc-oceania] Jims permaculture

[pamela]

G'day to you all

 

I agree that Permaculture does not need division and it is holistic in
itself.  It can stand on its own outside of traditional garden design which
is what 'Jims' tend to be involved with. Permaculture is 'systems thinking',
therefore is 'Jims lads' approaching this as 'productive gardening ' only or
are they looking at the 'system'.?

Specifically, are they capable of: (from a practitioners perspective)

*         Deconstructing the regional character of the site

*         Deconstructing the neighbourhood character of the site

*         Site specific analysis (thorough)

*         Client brief and understanding ones role in the process (eg
designer / designer -constructor, which in turn = licensing and legal
responsibility (different in each State)

*         Spatial design considering Garden performance and vertical input
(eg shade, shelter, privacy, protection)

*         Overlay the aesthetic ( STILL the most challenging aspect of
permaculture in trad garden design definitions (ie. A 'good' garden is the
one that 'looks good')

*         Personification ie. Strategizing to enable the design to reflect
the clients expected experience of the space (able to express themselves in
the space rather than 'pattern' overlay)

*         Detail

*         Horticultural 'savvy' (plant for bio-diversity, habitat,
productivity, performance) site specific

 

The concern for us all is for partly trained people promoting that what they
do is 'permaculture'.

This has happened in the Landscape construction industry where Jo Blogs can
wack 'Landscaper' on the side of the ute and 'be that thing' to the
detriment of the plant industry (these blokes don't know much about plants)

And is also happening in the Nursery Industry where 'shed' retailers
(attached to hardware ) promote themselves as Nurseries ( with little or no
plant knowledge. I think we can all see where that has got us...less and
less diversity in plant material offered but more and more volume of less
and less variety. The nursery industry is close to collapse because of this
(and other factors)

 

I suggest we keep a strong hold on the quality of the practitioner 'out in
the field' who calls him/herself a permaculture designer. Limit the less
trained to 'maintenance' or relook at a PDC and its content. It is currently
no where close to what is expected by the client base. If you promise
something you simply cannot deliver (expectation of the client) you will
hobble the movement.

A little bit of a permaculture garden (veges) is simply not in the spirit of
the holistic approach (system)that IS permaculture.

 

Kind regards, Pam

 

 

 

 

Pamela Gurner-Hall

Lecturer TAFESA and Uni of Adelaide

Sustainable Design Studio ( South)

Landscape Designer and Horticultural Consultant

P.O Box 1054

Aldinga Beach 5173

phone 0419 213 237

 

 

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