First Permaculture Class: Starting with Soil
A new breeze has begun to blow across the Bluff campus! Our long-held interest, the Permaculture class, has finally started. As the importance of the relationship between architecture, the environment, and humans continues to grow, the more we learn about nature’s mechanisms, the more amazed we are by its profound depth.
For the memorable first class, we welcomed special lecturer Reagan Wytsalucy to delve deep into “Soil Health.”
Why is “Soil” So Important?
As those involved in architecture, we are always conscious of “harmony with the environment.” However, it is truly moving to realize how deeply the “soil,” which forms the foundation of that environment, is involved in the cycle of life.
Imagine this: within just a few centimeters of soil covering the Earth’s surface, how much life breathes? Microbes, fungi, insects, and plant roots. The complex network they weave supports a healthy ecosystem.
Ms. Wytsalucy’s lecture was truly eye-opening. She taught us, with concrete examples, how healthy soil powerfully nurtures plants, attracts diverse insects, creates a paradise for birds, and ultimately connects to our own human health. It was a magnificent cycle of life.
What We Learned in the Workshop: Secrets to Soil Health
In this workshop, we gained a wide range of practical knowledge and techniques for fostering soil health. Specifically, we focused on the following five important themes:
- Feed Your Plants We learned in detail what nutrients plants truly need and how they travel through the soil to be absorbed by plants. This helped us understand effective nutrient management methods to maximize plant growth.
- Know Your Dirt We learned about the different soil textures, such as sand, silt, and clay, and what each means for a garden. Understanding the characteristics of our own garden’s soil allows for more appropriate soil management.
- Smart Soil Management We explored techniques like tillage, no-till, and combining these methods to boost soil vitality. We learned practical approaches to maintain healthy soil while optimizing the growing environment for plants.
- Composting Power We learned about the amazing benefits of transforming organic scraps into what is often called “black gold” – compost. We understood how compost significantly enhances soil fertility and nurtures a healthy ecosystem, and we acquired skills in making and utilizing it.
- Protective Layers We learned how to use materials like mulching, straw, and even cardboard to shield and improve the soil. We understood how these protective layers help with soil moisture retention, temperature regulation, and weed suppression.
The Challenge: Transforming the Campus into a “Living Earth”
Our goal is not just to acquire knowledge. It is to transform this Bluff campus into a place where “healthy soil benefits all life: bacteria, plants, insects, birds, and humans.”
Restoring soil health has a greater meaning than just gardening. It is the first step towards building a sustainable future and an opportunity to re-recognize our coexistence with nature.
This permaculture journey has just begun, but we are already excited imagining the campus soil breathing and brimming with vitality. What discoveries await us in the next class? Please look forward to it!