In my previous article, I talked about how Permabeds can benefit community gardens. The primary benefit we looked at was organization. As community gardeners often seek to do a lot with a little space, Permabeds help keep plots organized for maximum efficiency.
On a macro scale, Permabeds can also help keep the overall space organized, too. And they offer much in the way of building and maintaining soil health.
But when it comes to working within garden plots to grow food, Permabeds bring additional benefits to both the grower and the soil.
Management Benefits
When an entire community garden is divided by raised beds that run the full length of the community garden land, organized Permabeds allow much more efficient layout and use of material, supplies and techniques.
For instance, a single irrigation header along one end of the bed can provide a water source for each Permabed. And you could use tarps to regenerate plots easily, spreading them across an entire bed or an entire triad.
And you can even bring the efficiencies of market gardening to the community garden. For instance, beds could be turned over with a two-wheel tractor, operated by a laborer communally paid for the seasonal job of preparing all the beds.
Read more: Permabeds can bring organizational improvements to community gardens.
How do you apply Permabed System Design on a Community Garden?
This is a simple process. Here’s an example.
Say your total available space is 50 by 100 feet. You can divide this space into exactly 12 Permabeds 4 feet wide and 6 inches high.
You can even put a chip-mulched perimeter alley around the entire plot. The size could range from 3 to 6 feet wide, depending on space available and access requirements. In this scenario, each bed offers 400 square feet.
Need more room to grow? Advanced growers could apply for an entire triad—three beds totaling 1200 square feet.
Seasonal Organization
Before the first growing season, install an irrigation transport line at one end of the community garden. Positioned thusly, the line offers each bed water access with heavy-duty, releasable drip lines.
When the end of a season arrives, a professional community gardener could come in and apply cover crops and tarps, as well as perform any other seasonally appropriate jobs. This, ideally, would be assisted by community growers.
In spring, the community could bring in specialized labour with equipment know-how to ready the garden for another growing season. Paid for by membership fees, this work would help improve yield and long-term garden success. Less weeds, less disease, improved soil and fertility.
Read more: Ready to go all in on community? Here’s how to find an off-grid community for you and your family.
Permabeds Allow a Rotation Plan, Too
Another huge benefit of using Permabeds in community gardens is the feasibility of an overall, whole-garden crop rotation plan. You can easily execute whole-garden crop rotation by designating beds (or even whole triads) to grow certain crop families.
Here’s one scenario you could consider. When one applies to be part of the community garden, they will see what type of crops an available Permabed plot allows. By growing within the designated crop family, this grower’s crops be a part of the community garden’s overall crop rotation plan.
A bit of foresight and organizational design would do any community garden a world of good. When next year a grower’s plot rotates, they will be able to learn experience growing another selection of crops.
What if you want tomatoes, but your Permabed plot is designated to grow a different plant family? Gardeners can barter and trade to ensure each table has what it needs. All the while, growers will gain new skills and, in ensuing years, offer sage advice to their fellow community gardeners.
This model, of course, won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But for those communities that want to grow in a serious way, uplift their food security and gain high growing efficiency, a Permabed layout, market garden principles and overall crop rotation design could transform community gardening for the better.
Grow On,
Zach
