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145 guidesNature’s strategies for restoring a desert
Rethinking the Desert: It’s Not Dead—It’s Dormant Deserts are often misunderstood. To the untrained eye, they appear lifeless, dry, and empty. But beneath the surface lies a web of potential—waiting for the right conditions to reawaken. Nature never truly abandons a place. It simply slows down, retreats, and adapts. The resilience of desert ecosystems is […]
Concave vs Convex systems
Agroforestry systems can incorporate concave and convex designs, each suited for specific conditions and purposes. Here’s a breakdown of when to use each type: Concave Systems Characteristics: When to Use: Convex Systems Characteristics: When to Use: Implementation Tips By strategically using concave and convex systems, you can optimize water management, enhance soil health, and create […]
Gabions & Check dams
Gabions: A Tool for Combating Drought and Enhancing Water in the Landscape Gabions are wire mesh baskets filled with stones, rocks, or other materials that are used in civil engineering, road building, landscaping, and erosion control. They are versatile and sustainable structures that can be employed in a variety of settings to manage water flow, […]
Propagation
Propagation in an Organic Homestead Setting Propagation is the process of creating new plants from seeds, cuttings, or other plant parts. On an organic homestead, propagation is a crucial practice for growing food, herbs, and other plants sustainably. By using natural and organic methods for propagation, homesteaders can maintain plant diversity, improve soil health, save […]
Keyline Design
Implement Keyline Design to optimize water management in arid regions, enhancing soil fertility and reducing erosion by aligning land use with natural topography.
Water-Efficient Plant Selection
Discover how to create sustainable, low-maintenance gardens by selecting water-efficient plants that thrive in dry climates, conserve water, and support local ecosystems.
Transform Your Backyard: Simple Greywater Food Circles.
In Windhoek, Namibia, food circles have emerged as a transformative approach to urban agriculture, particularly within informal settlements. Food circles are the signature project of the Kambashu Institute, a permaculture learning centre in Windhoek’s informal settlement. Concept of Food Circles A food circle is a permaculture-based gardening system designed to maximize resource efficiency and yield […]
How Windbreaks Can Save Water, Soil and Crops in Harsh Climates
Protect crops, reduce soil erosion, and conserve moisture using drought-tolerant windbreaks like soutbos and kei apple. Improve yields naturally in drylands!
Contour Farming
Introduction Contour farming is an agricultural technique that involves planting crops along the natural contours of the land rather than in straight rows. This method is particularly useful for sloped terrains, where it helps reduce soil erosion, conserve water, and improve soil fertility. By following the land’s natural shape, contour farming enhances water retention, minimizes […]
Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative Agriculture Regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that improves the land instead of damaging it. It helps the soil stay healthy, holds more water, grows better food, and supports nature. Instead of using a lot of chemicals or machines, regenerative farmers work with nature by planting many different kinds of crops, adding compost, […]
Air-prune beds: raise trees and test what works in Namibia
Raise a small batch of trees with space for air beneath their roots. Start with a trial you can water reliably, then compare the plants after planting out.
Invasive Species in Namibia – Threat or Opportunity?
In Namibia, invasive species are often seen as a major environmental threat. Certain plants and animals spread aggressively, displacing native species, altering water systems, and reducing biodiversity. The most problematic invaders include Prosopis (mesquite), Opuntia cacti, Leucaena leucocephala, Lantana camara, and several invasive grasses. The traditional approach has been to eradicate them – often at […]