Mrs Buley, how can a complete ecosystem be established with permaculture?
Permaculture is recreating the principles of ecosystems in order to build the most stable, sustainable agriculture possible. Permaculture therefore focuses on the diversity of cultivated plants and mixed cultivation. A typical example is the so-called forest garden, in which various fruit trees, bushes, wild fruit and vegetable perennials as well as herbs are mix-planted. The area is thus used very intensively on several floors. Plant diseases and pests can spread less due to diversity and mixed cultivation. Mixed cultivation is also used in the field, e.g. by planting corn together with beans. The beans can collect nitrogen from the air with their nodule bacteria at the roots, which is then also available to the corn. By planting hedges we create additional habitats for birds, insects and small animals. This brings the birdsong back into our empty landscapes.
What are the advantages of fruits and vegetables from permacultures?
Fruits and vegetables from permaculture are original and as created by nature - meaning that there can be small feeding spots or even only optically relevant spots. This is due to the fact that at lehmann natur in permaculture we largely dispense with spraying agents approved for organic farming. In some cases, old or wild varieties are cultivated. They have an incomparable aroma. In the case of apples, old scattered fruit varieties often contain considerably more health-promoting secondary plant substances such as polyphenols than new varieties. This makes our apples turn brown again when they are cut - which we regard as a special quality feature.