permaculture

Workshop Module 6: Home and Community Gardens 179

Field activity : Plant a living fence (Garden Ex. 4)

Method   :  Participatory   field   activity

Tools : See description below and PC Reference Manual

References : PC Book MOD 6 – Home and Community Gardens;

PC Book MOD 10 – Animal Systems

Objective : Participants learn about and practice making a living fence

Preparation

• Prior to running this exercise the facilitator should prepare materials that can be
  used for creating a living fence.


• Appropriate plants for living fences include:
  
  
  • Moringa. • Flamboyan.
  
  
  • Cactus. • Lamtoro.
  
  
  • Tall grass.
  
  
  
  


• Other materials that can be used for creating the fences include:
  
  
  • Stones. • Wood.
  
  
  • Bamboo. • Old fishing nets.
  
  
  • Old roofing materials.
  
  
  
  

Running this exercise

• Ask the participants to identify, gather, and use local materials to build a strong
  fence around the garden.


• On the inside of the fence (approximately 10cm from the fence line) the
  participants can plant legume tree cuttings or seeds - very close together,
  5-10cm apart so that they will become a strong living fence within 1-2 years.


• The fence can also be used to grow vines on.


• Thought should also be given to stopping chickens that may fly over the fence. A
  chicken house and yard is a good solution, clipping chicken wings is another.

Note: This should be one of the first exercises as it provides protection for future
work.

See PC Book MOD 6 – Home and Community Gardens, PC Book MOD 5 - Seed
Saving and Nurseries, PC Book MOD 10 - Animal Systems, and other exercises in
this book for reference and ideas.

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