Fifteen residents at Epilepsy SA’s Free State North West Centre received the invaluable gift of knowledge last week. They were trained in the concept of permaculture (Permanent Agriculture). By using the permaculture techniques or gardening the smart way, you can maxi-mise your veggie garden, making sure the soil is protected against evaporation, stays warm in winter and cool in summer, and saves water. There is less weeding and it allows the vegetables you plant together to give and take different nutrients in the soil.
In this way, what you plant will benefit each other, says Busi Wawa, a field worker for Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA).
Together with the project manager, Keri Steyn, who helped secure the training and funding from FTFA and Shoprite, Busi trained the residents to use these gardening techniques in the existing vegetable garden and three veggie tunnels at the centre. They also taught them to make compost. Now, all that is needed is for a community to take ownership of this initiative.
In turn, Epilepsy can share their seedlings and knowledge with the community of the greater Parys for a totally organic garden. The surplus produce will be sold to Shoprite and the community.
Food & Trees for Africa have been working all over the country since 1990. They teach smart gardening techniques at schools and community projects. Shoprite supplied the gardening tools for the Epilepsy Centre. Food & Trees for Africa will be here for the next 18 months to monitor the project and follow up with a hands-on approach. They will be sharing information posters and getting the Centre to keep a record of their veggie garden.
Last week, they planted tomatoes, lettuce and chillies, and herbs and trees will be included later on.
Busi will visit the centre again on November 21. Bring your hat and sunscreen and visit the centre. All garden enthusiasts can learn from Busi at no charge. She will again be sharing her knowledge and showing how it is done practically. And, if you don’t have a veggie garden, be assured that these techniques will help you a lot in any garden.
