Biointegrated Farm Systems

CONTENTS Introduction: Putting Nature to Work 1 Pa r t O n e

Bio-Integrated Farm Systems 1 The Chinampas An Ancient Example of Bio-Integration 9 2 A Pool of Resources The Bio-Integrated Pond 13 3 All About the Basin The Bio-Integrated Basin 57 4 Greenhouse with an “Outie” The Bio-Integrated Greenhouse with an Exterior Pond 71 5 Greenhouse with an “Innie” The Bio-Integrated Greenhouse with an Interior Pond 101 6 The Big Flush Bio-Integrated Rainwater Harvesting 147 7 Chicken No Tractor The Bio-Integrated Chicken Coop 183

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8 Harnessing Heat Bio-Integrated Compost Applications

213

9 Feed, Fuel, Fertilizer Bio-Integrated Fly Farming

247

10 Taking It to the Field The Bio-Integrated Field and Garden

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Pa r t T w o

Case Studies in Living Biosystems

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11 The Right Connections Bio-Integrating the Farm Core and CSA

293

12 The Mini-Innie A Small-Scale Bio-Integrated Greenhouse

319

13 Concrete Forest The Bio-Integrated Parking Area, Driveway, and Patio

335

Acknowledgments

345

Appendix

347

Notes

351

Index

357

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A P o o l o f R e s o u rce s

Figure 2.30. During late summer, the crimson-colored groundnut flowers bloom and then bear edible pods.

Figure 2.31. A patch of Jerusalem artichokes growing in front of a persimmon tree.

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T h e Bio - I n t e g rat e d Fa r m

The Three Brothers Most growers have heard of the Native American “three sisters” garden. According to Iroquois legend, corn, beans, and squash planted together sustain a synergistic relationship. The corn provides the stalk for the beans to climb, the beans fix nitrogen, and the large squash leaves shade out weeds. Native Americans also practiced a lesser-known tradition—the perennial “three brothers” garden. Jerusalem artichoke replaced the corn, groundnut (Apios americana) replaced the beans, and wild ginger (Asarum sp.) replaced the squash.

All three plants prefer the moist habitat around ponds and furnish food for years to come with little care. However, “little care” means they are nearly impossible to eradicate.

Once they find a good spot on the backside of a wild pond, the three brothers can become quite unruly.

Figure 2.32. Spiderwort.

any fresh salad. I’ve also added the leafy greens to stir-fry dishes, cooked slightly to tenderize.

Hot tuna (Houttuynia cordata), an aggressive groundcover, will quickly take over wet areas. The leaves have a strong flavor reminiscent of citrus and fish. Also a useful medicinal herb, it acts as a lung tonic and more. Make sure buildings, roads, or pathways enclose the pond area to contain this prolific plant. Otherwise, it will spread indefinitely.

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) grows freely in sunny, wet areas. This 3-foot-high perennial produces roots used to make horseradish sauces and preserves. If not harvested yearly, this aggressive plant will spread.

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale), a hardy European perennial, self-seeds freely around the edge of ponds. The pungent mustard-flavored leaves add heat and nutrients to salads and stir-fries.

of forests. The wild ginger covers the ground in the “three brothers” trio (see sidebar), preventing other weeds from taking over, especially during the winter. Though the roots resemble ginger in flavor and Native Americans used them, modern science indicates they contain toxic compounds.

The showy leaves keep the landscape green when the other two brothers are dormant.

Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) is a common garden plant and native of the East Coast of North America that thrives in the moist area around ponds. This low-growing grasslike plant has edible showy purple blossoms that beautify h f

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Figure 4.11. A 30 percent shade cloth draped over a greenhouse provides passive cooling, as do the rolled-up sides. This greenhouse has an interior pond, which also helps with cooling.

Figure 4.12. We drape this large greenhouse with 60 percent shade cloth to cut down on the need to run the electric fan. The shade cloth is pulled over the top using ropes.

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