I made this video during the last few months I was in my house in Chicago. It was long before I accepted that I would have to leave that beautiful place, a home and land surrounding it that was everything I had ever wanted to produce my vision of a true food forest and permaculture garden (more about permaculture below and in the second video).<\/p>\n
I’ve since moved abroad and still think about that place because it had all the elements that would afford a wonderful self-sustaining home and lifestyle. It still makes me very sad to think about what I had to leave, but it has also made me realize that if you have a little land or some pots to put outside, this can be done everywhere because it’s all about planting and becoming self-sustaining, no matter where you are. If it’s something you want to do then go for it, wherever you are in the world<\/em>.<\/p>\n A UK-based website all about permaculture<\/a> says that writer Emma Chapman defines it as:<\/p>\n “Permaculture, originally ‘Permanent Agriculture’, is often viewed as a set of gardening techniques, but it has in fact developed into a whole design philosophy, and for some people a philosophy for life. Its central theme is the creation of human systems which provide for human needs, but using many natural elements and drawing inspiration from natural ecosystems. Its goals and priorities coincide with what many people see as the core requirements for sustainability.”<\/em> Permaculture tackles how to grow food, build houses and create communities, and minimise environmental impact at the same time. Its principles are being constantly developed and refined by people throughout the world in very different climates and cultural circumstances.<\/em><\/p>\n In the first video, I describe the perennial plants that I purchased and why I’ve bought them. You’ll also get a glimpse of my beautiful Tortie cat, Saudah<\/a>. She used to love sitting at that window and getting some fresh air. She’s not an outdoor cat and couldn’t ever be in that house because we used to have coyotes, hawks and other animals that could have been of danger to her. <\/p>\n