Speak My Language

Living with a hearing impairment, Lily has pursued excellence in her career and interests. She loves gardening, and is especially enthusiastic about "Permaculture." She has created innovative and sustainable ways of living by developing ecologically harmonious and effective systems in her garden, that extend into her life values.

Transcript Available

Charmaine:  

Today, our guest is Lily, who will share how she has been inspired by Permaculture. Thank you Lily for accepting the interview with Speak My Language. Before sharing your interest, could you please introduce yourself briefly?
Lily:

Hello, everyone! My name is Lily, and I'm from Hong Kong. I've been in Australia for over 10 years now. After coming to Australia, I noticed that I had a lot of space at home, so I started learning about gardening. Since I spend most of my time sitting in front of a computer for work and not moving much, I enjoy gardening or planting vegetables in my free time. Because it helps me relieve stress and serves as a form of exercise. One benefit of gardening is that it doesn't require much verbal communication, which is advantageous for me as I have hearing impairment and can avoid misunderstandings.
Charmaine:

As you mentioned, you enjoy gardening and have an interest in Permaculture. Could you please share with the audience what "Permaculture" is and whether it's a profound discipline?
Lily:

Permaculture is not profound. The term "Permaculture" is the translation of the English word, composed of "permanent" and "Agriculture." It means sustainable agriculture and is also referred to as sustainable culture. Permaculture is a design concept based on natural ecosystems that works in harmony with environmental factors to design systems for human life, meeting the needs of food, shelter, and social structures applicable to every country on Earth. Fairness is also emphasised: the labor we contribute should receive reasonable rewards. The core idea of Permaculture is to cooperate with nature, taking care of the Earth and humanity instead of going against nature. Permaculture is the application of those design principles to planting and cultivation.
Charmaine:

It sounds like Permaculture isn’t so simple. Can you share how long you have been learning Permaculture?
Lily:

A few years ago, while mowing the lawn in my backyard, I felt hot and tired. It occurred to me that mowing the lawn required a lot of time and energy, and I thought it would be better to replace all the grass with food plants. I came across something called Permaculture online and found it very intriguing and interesting. So, I signed up for a two-day workshop to get a basic understanding of Permaculture. I resonated with its principles, and to learn more, I bought books and regularly searched for learning resources online. After attending the two-day workshop, I started self-studying and practicing simultaneously. It has been approximately 4 years since I first got involved with Permaculture in 2017. My next step is to enroll in a Permaculture certification course.
Charmaine:

You have been studying for several years. Apart from reading books and attending workshops, where else can you find information about Permaculture?
Lily:

Besides gaining basic knowledge from the workshops, most of my knowledge comes from online sources. I read books and magazines as well. Additionally, I watch "Gardening Australia" on ABC television, which is a highly informative and worthwhile program to watch. I also learn through social media. For example, I joined some Permaculture and gardening groups on Facebook in Australia, where I learned a lot from the posts, comments, and shared experiences that are not found in books. There are also numerous informative videos on YouTube that I have learned a great deal from. Apart from that, I participate in volunteer activities related to transforming backyard spaces into orchards, vegetable gardens, or food forests based on Permaculture design principles. By helping others, I also receive assistance in return. These activities usually involve more than 20 people, with instructors planning and guiding the process. There are workshops on designing and installing irrigation systems, building composting areas, and more. I have been involved in the entire process, learning construction techniques and problem-solving methods through hands-on experience. Two years ago, I visited several food forests in other people's backyards through community events and learned how they applied Permaculture in garden design, how to enhance plant growth, and how to incorporate chickens and other animals. These experiences have been a great source of motivation for me.
Charmaine:

From your sharing, we have learned about the origins and basic knowledge of Permaculture. We often emphasise the importance of theory and practice. I believe the audience would be interested to know how your garden has changed after learning Permaculture.
Lily:

The biggest change is that I have gradually transformed my backyard into an orchard and vegetable garden. I built a pergola on the west side of the backyard and planted grapevines to grow along the structure. During the summer, the foliage of the plants covers the top of the pergola, providing shade and reducing the intense sunlight entering the house, making the rooms cooler. In winter, when the leaves fall, the sunlight can enter the rooms, making the house warmer.
In addition, I have planted various plants next to the garden shed, allowing them to climb and cover the exterior walls. The different colors of plants in different seasons add a beautiful touch to the shed's appearance. This way, the plants not only change the living environment but also provide food for me.
When growing vegetables, I first choose a suitable location. I lay down cardboard on the ground and then layer it with dry straw, compost, and fertilizer to create a raised bed for planting vegetables. This way, there's no need for bending and it's more convenient for individuals in wheelchairs or elderly people.
Additionally, I determine the planting locations based on daily activities. Vegetables and herbs are planted near the kitchen for easy maintenance and harvesting. Vegetables that are harvested just before cooking are the freshest. As for fruit trees, since they require less frequent maintenance, I plant them next to the fence, which is the farthest area from the house. Instead of using pesticides, I rely on natural predators to control pests. I grow different flowers and plants to attract beneficial insects, and I even relocate spiders from inside the house to the garden to help control pests. I water the plants with the leftover water from washing rice and vegetables, and I have installed a rainwater collection tank. I also collect kitchen scraps and mix them with tree leaves, grass clippings, and waste paper to make compost, which not only reduces waste and supports ecological cycles but also saves money. I soak grasses and make them fertilizer because they contain valuable nutrients. I also repurpose items like milk jugs and old towels for gardening tools.
Charmaine:

It sounds like your garden has undergone major changes! As a practitioner of Permaculture, could you share what knowledge and skills you have gained from your interest in Permaculture?
Lily:

Permaculture design has taught me several important principles: observation, energy conservation, the use of renewable resources, and embracing diversity. Among these, I have benefited the most from observation, patience, and adopting diversified mixed planting. I have also come to understand that all living beings, whether animals or plants, have different roles and inherent value in nature. If they are disrupted, ecological balance is lost, ultimately harming both humans and the Earth.
Charmaine:

It seems that you have not only acquired extensive and enriching knowledge and improved your skills but also gained significant insights in approaching problems. After participating in Permaculture, have you made more connections with the community and met more people?
Lily:

Yes, I have. Since learning about Permaculture, I have had many more topics to discuss with people. Friends come to me with gardening questions, and I share the harvest from my garden with neighbors while engaging in conversations. This not only brings me joy but also improves the neighborhood relations. When participating in Permaculture events, I have also met new friends from different professions and ethnic backgrounds, which has broadened my understanding of other cultures and expanded my social circle. Although my hearing is impaired, since the topics are familiar and interesting to me, communication hasn't been a problem, and it has increased my self-confidence.
Charmaine:

I'm truly happy for you. Indeed, having more friends can bring happiness. Could you share with us the changes in your lifestyle and values after engaging in Permaculture?
Lily:

Nowadays, besides essential items, I try to buy fewer new things and opt for local products as much as possible. I go to the farmers' market every week to buy food, as it is not only fresher but also supports farmers in receiving fair compensation. I try my best to minimise food waste and give items as many opportunities for use before discarding them. I have learned to cooperate with nature, respect ecology and the laws of nature. Most importantly, I have learned to make the most of limited resources, especially drinking water and paper. I hope to continue this path and inspire others to join in. If we want to provide a better living environment for future generations and sustain our world, it must start with ourselves.
Charmaine:

Those values are truly important! If the audience is interested in Permaculture, could you provide some tips?
Lily:

It would be best to enroll in a course or seek information online, read books, or participate in Permaculture group activities. Facebook and YouTube also have a wealth of useful resources to refer to.
Charmaine:

Thank you, Lily! Interested listeners can take note of that. Now we have reached the end of our program. Thank you, Lily, for accepting our interview and sharing your passion for Permaculture and what you have gained from it. I have learned a lot from this interview as well. While gardening may seem simple at times, we can make it more scientific, creative, and environmentally friendly, improving the Earth's ecosystem. We can also strengthen our community connections and get to know more people through this interest. Lily, do you have any key messages to share with the audience?
Lily:

I would like to encourage everyone to confidently try gardening. Being an urban farmer can bring unexpected benefits. Don't be afraid of failures, and remember to share not only your produce but also knowledge and experiences. Lastly, being a farmer can be tough, involving physical labor and concerns about the weather, so let's not waste any food.
Charmaine:

Thank you Lily!