Quite incidentally we have created some wonderful Sepp Holtzer style permaculture spots on our land. There are two spots fairly close to the house and garden that have become overgrown with wild rose bushes. These bushes can grow into a monstrosity if left alone-and they are working on it. We left them alone mostly because we didn't have the tools and time necessary to remove them and, over the years, they have grown to be very large indeed. But the wonderful thing about it is this; the birds have found a refuge. This is permaculture at work-God's way of survival.
The one HUGE rose bush is now shelter to our chickens, giving them shade from the sun, plenty of bugs to eat and protection from predators. The chickens in turn, provide some needed pruning, fertilizer and removal of unwanted, harmful bugs, all helping the large rose bush to survive and thrive.
The bush has also become the home for a nesting pair of hummingbirds. Those hummingbirds feed and thrive on the nectar from the flowers. They too eat harmful bugs and help keep the mosquito population down. They also provide some viewing enjoyment to us.
Another wild animal has made this bush it's home-a nesting pair of mocking birds. I am enthralled with their songs and have found great joy in listening to them. They help to keep the nasty bug population down as well. They also eat the berries from near by trees and fruit bushes, spreading the seeds through their waste, therby propigating God's green earth.
There is a nice, large mulberry bush near by that feeds many different birds, such as the Cedar Waxwings that flocked in to eat the berries. Tonight we saw a Scarlet Tanager sitting in the mulberries singing away. Again, they help spread the seeds for more bushes to grow, eat unwanted pests and sing wonderful songs.
This is permaculture my firends, when everything that God has made works in the way God made them. Together they thrive, apart they struggle. This life all takes place just feet from our large garden and benefits the growth of our food as well.
No longer do I look at that rose bush as an eye-sore, but as beneficial life. I am glad I never cut that thing down.
2 comments:
If those are multiflora roses, you may someday rue the day you let them live. Then again, Maybe the autumn olive will eventually choke them out, as they're starting to do in my area.
They are Gorges, and I always thoght I would Rue the day, until the cohesion of God's world started coming into view. I wonder if I can keep them trimmed back?
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