An apology... and 100 references in one

The biggest permaculture literature review to date, revisited

This month I have been crazily busy with a number of funding deadlines and other projects, plus taking some holiday, with the result that The Digest has been badly neglected. Sincere apologies. It will be back on track in June. In the meantime, for those of you who feel you are missing out on your permaculture reading, here is a second mention of the biggest permaculture literature review yet undertaken, initially featured on The Digest last November. This link will take you to the full text of the article, which should keep you occupied for at least a couple of hours!

Best wishes to all Digest readers,

Chris

Uk agriculture facts website (online)

UK Agriculture 

This web site about agriculture and farming was established in 1999 in an attempt to help widen understanding about the role of agriculture in the countryside. The website attempts to provide an easy to read, visual approach to the chronology of agricultural systems and the relationship between food and farming. It is also committed to preserving the countryside and improving its biodiversity.

Edible perennials in small spaces (book)

Edible Perennial Gardening: Growing Successful Polycultures in Small Spaces

 Do you dream of a low maintenance perennial garden? One that is full to the brim of perennial vegetables that you don’t have to keep replanting, but only have a small space?
Do you struggle with too little time for gardening or controlling the pests and diseases that eat your crops? Do you want to grow unusual vegetable varieties? You can do all of this with Edible Perennial Gardening. Anni Kelsey explains how to source and propagate different vegetables, which plants work well together in a polycultures, and what you can plant in small, shady or semi-shady beds as well as in sunny areas.

Everything you need to know about getting started in growing your own food in a low maintenance perennial garden.
Do you dream of a low-maintenance perennial garden that is full to the brim of perennial vegetables that you don’t have to keep replanting, but have only a small space? Do you want a garden that doesn’t take much of your time and that needs little attention to control the pests and diseases that eat your crops? Do you want to grow unusual vegetable varieties? You can have all of this with Edible Perennial Gardening. Anni Kelsey has meticulously researched the little-known subject of edible perennials and selected her favorite, tasty varieties. She explains how to source and propagate different vegetables, which plants work well together in polycultures, and what you can plant in small, shady, or semi shady beds, as well as in sunny areas.
- See more at: http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/edible_perennial_gardening:paperback#sthash.lWEhoRQk.dpuf

Soil science and soil crisis (online)

Energy Balance

These blogs (by Professor Chris Rhodes) dated 22nd April and 6th April 2014 give a lovely introduction to the science of soil, and to the current crisis of soil, which all growers without a strong background in this area should read. It is a blog so perhaps a bit light for inclusion here, but contains so much great information that I thought it was worth it. Prof. Rhodes' older blog posts deal with a huge range of environmental issues (ranging from peak oil to home-made sauerkraut), many of which will be of interest to permaculture practitioners. 

Send The Digest your conference report (please)

Been to a conference? Tell us about it!

There are many wonderful (and some not so wonderful) conferences happening in 2014, far more than any one of us can attend. So if you have attended one, why not write a short report on it for the Digest (200 words max, but linked to a longer report or website if possible). Then we can all share one another's learning and inspiration. E-mail your report to Chris at research@permauclture.org.uk.

Live more on less (online)

“There is no wealth but life”: A practical action plan for living more on less.

We all understand the importance of reducing resource and energy consumption and stepping more lightly on the planet. But figuring out exactly how to do this in a consumer society can be very challenging.
The aim of this website is to provide a practical action plan for those people who wish to live a ‘simpler life’ of reduced and restrained consumption. The Simpler Way represents a life with less clutter, less waste, and less fossil fuel use, but also a life with more time for the things that truly inspire and bring happiness.

Gardening myths dispelled (book)

Gardening Myths and Misconceptions

Some mythical beliefs run deep into the collective unconscious and once ingrained as “certain facts” in the public domain, they are difficult to question, even when they contain contradictions or are demonstrably untrue. There are many such beliefs in gardening, some with discernible origins in history, some which have established for no obvious reason. In this book Charles Dowding is asking questions, because mythical beliefs hide methods of easier working, for better results.