Urban Permaculture - Designing the Urban Garden

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This feature-length educational film teaches you how to set up your own permaculture orchard at virtually any scale. We recognize the limitations of the organic model as a substitute to conventional fruit growing, and want to propose a more holistic, regenerative approach based on permaculture principles. Based on 20 years of applied theory and trial and error, biologist and educator Stefan Sobkowiak shares his experience transforming a conventional apple orchard into an abundance of biodiversity that virtually takes care of itself. The concepts, techniques and tips presented in this film will help you with your own project, whether it is just a few fruit trees in your urban backyard, or a full-scale multi-acre commercial orchard.

Hometown Habitat features renowned entomologist Dr. Douglas Tallamy, whose research, books and lectures on the use of non-native plants in landscaping, sound the alarm about habitat and species loss. Tallamy provides the narrative thread that challenges the notion that humans are here and nature is someplace else. “It doesn’t have to, and shouldn’t be that way.” Inspiring stories of community commitment to conservation landscaping illustrate Tallamy’s vision by showing how humans and nature can co-exist with mutual benefits.

Anishinaabe elders of the Curve Lake First Nation reflect on the history, decline, and return of the traditional food gardens that connect their culture, land, and contemporary life.

Following Ontario farmer John Gorzo Jr. from the spring planting through the fall harvest this stark, intimate film strips away our bucolic fantasies and reveals how incredibly hard farmers work to produce the food we eat. As Gorzo struggles with unpredictable weather, globalized markets and rocky finances, we marvel at his perseverance in the face of such uncertain gain. “As the months went by, we clearly could see the strain on John’s face,” says director Paul Eichhorn. “It really offers viewers the chance to see first-hand the challenges facing farmers today.”

Created over 75 years and three generations, Les Quatre Vents stands as an enchanted place of beauty and surprise, a horticultural masterpiece of the 21st century. See how Frank Cabot gave birth to one of the greatest gardens in the world.

Geoff Lawton demonstrates how to grow a food forest from start to finish. Geoff helps get you on the right track toward growing a productive garden paradise.

In this film, 24 LGBTQIA2* gardeners show their gardens and explain how their queerness affects the design of the spaces. They also speak about how they are queering ecology, as well as the natural-cultural relationship. Ella von der Haide has been visiting community gardens in North America for several years with her camera. It is the 6th film in her documentary series Another world is plantable! about community gardens, and their social-ecological activism worldwide.

Sepp Holzer explains some of the innovative, labour-saving agricultural techniques he applies at his farm in the Eastern Alps of Salzburg, Austria.

Filmmaker Claudia Hefner showcases the Kramerterhof, an Alpine estate which Sepp Holzer has transformed from an ordinary farm into a paragon of permaculture. Spectacular aerial photography helps viewers to appreciate the magnificence of the landscape and the efficiency of the property.

In this introductory video to permaculture, Bill Mollison, the movement’s co-founder, takes the viewer through the history and developments of the movement. With startlingly laconic humor and insight he deconstructs the modern agribusiness and the “modern plague” : manicured ornamental lawns. In this video he offers an antidote, which is an antidote to both our currently unsustainable practices and our unsustainable culture. Both of these have to change and adapt. Permanently.

Hart's Forest Gardening introduces a way of working alongside nature- an approach that results in great productivity with minimal maintenance, and a method for transforming even a small cottage garden into a diverse and inviting habitat for songbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Based on the model of a natural woodland, a forest garden incorporates a wide variety of useful plants, including fruit and nut trees, perennial herbs, and vegetables. Robert Hart blends history, philosophy, anthropology, and seasonal gardening wisdom, which together comprise a remarkable testament to the pleasures of "hands-off" as well as hands-on gardening. Practical features include: Design guidelines for creating your own perennial food-producing garden Lists of recommended plants and varieties, An explanation of how plants in different levels or "stories" --from ground covers to full-sized trees--coexist and interact in a healthy and productive landscape.

An excellent look at transforming one Perth property along permaculture lines.

In March 2023, despite a flush of police raids and arrests in the struggle against Cop City in Atlanta, the Weelaunee Food Autonomy Festival gathered people for four days of learning and working in the forest. The observational film follows along as participants in the festival plant hundreds of fig, pawpaw, and persimmon saplings, give away fruit trees to neighbors of the forest, graft edible pears onto invasive trees, learn to mix herbal medicines, and restore an area of forest that had been recently disturbed by illegal demolition work.

Aquaponics master Murray Hallam takes you into the world of Aquaponics and explains how you can grow clean, fresh and organic fish and vegetables in your own backyard.

Veggie Gardening 101. Bob and Jim are engaging hosts as they lead the viewer through the basics of choosing a site, preparing a garden plot, and raising a variety of vegetables, including some lesser-grown ones such as parsnips and leeks. Additionally, they demonstrate how to build a few garden structures including a compost bin and a simple cold-frame.

Three young gardeners reflect on their experiences at a Leeds allotment.

Joe Adkins, a giant pumpkin growing veteran based in Wheaton, Illinois, embarks on a quest to grow his first 2,000-pound pumpkin.

Permaculture teacher Geoff Lawton designs and builds a dam and water harvesting system on a farm.

Geoff Lawton takes you into the world of Permaculture and explains the basic concepts for beginners.