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Permablitz Hysteria – Bring it On!

A resurgent community spirit combined with modern Permaculture techniques is systematically transforming Australia’s back yards into edible landscapes – so why not the world?

I haven’t watched television for a really, really long time, so can’t be sure if it’s still the case, but I do remember that, for the ladies at least, shows featuring average looking people getting drop-dead gorgeous ‘makeovers’ by professional make-up artists were once pretty popular. Transfer the thought of a facial renovation over to a backyard transformation, and you get Backyard Blitz, a popular Australian television show that ran from 2000 – 2007. Now, some more eco-savvy people – like Melbourne’s Dan Palmer and some South American friends he met by chance one evening – took this concept a little further…. The result being to take useless, high maintenance, no- or low-yield cookie cutter back yards and turn them into high yield, low maintenance edible landscapes, all in one day! The name for the concept ultimately, and logically, came to be: Permablitz!

So, how would you like to see a small army of people arrive at your house one morning, not to make trouble, but to get busy turning your back yard into an aesthetic and edible oasis? And, no, don’t worry, they won’t charge you a cent! All you need to do is spend a couple of fun and educational weekends being part of this same small army – and then it’s your turn to have your yard transformed as well!

This is the Permablitz concept in a nutshell, alive and well in Melbourne, Australia, and spreading fast.

A Permablitz can include many elements to help turn your yard into a closed loop food production machine – from water harvesting to chicken tractors, worm farms to compost heaps. This is something I can get excited about. It’s the very best kind of subversive social behaviour – with the potential to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of everyday households. A diverse range of fresh food improves health, and the food is ‘transported’ from your back yard into your kitchen, produced with little to no outside inputs.

Another huge benefit is this concept’s ability to turn procrastination on its head – turning your oft-postponed closet interest in living more sustainably into a sudden in-your-face (or yard) instant reality. Getting involved means making new friends, learning very useful concepts and skills, and getting the jump on a more sustainable future.

In case you’re concerned you’d end up with a duff design, before the big day arrives you will meet with a volunteer Permaculture designer who will work with you to come up with a design that suits your site and needs. You also always have the option of paying to get your designer of choice if you’re that way inclined.

As far as I’m aware, this kind of idea hasn’t infiltrated the U.S. of A. as yet (I’m guessing someone must be doing it, but they’re too busy to let the world know! I’d be keen to learn of news on this, as this inspiration work shouldn’t go unnoticed). Either way, I’m hoping this post may inspire a few stateside individuals to propagate the concept. With a recession biting hard, and a serious energy reality looming large on the horizon, what better way to spend your weekends than building community networks and sharing knowledge and labour in this way?

Check out the clips below for inspiration, and the links further down for more info to help get you and your friends started on this simple but powerful vehicle for change. And please do let us know about your work if you do.

Channel 7 News cover a permablitz in Bundaberg

Permaculture Mullimbimby transform the back yard of a local health food shop

A short video from a weekend permaculture blitz in Sydney, Australia in late 2008

Eat the Suburbs: Gardening for the End of the Oil Age

Resources:

Further Reading:

 

9 Comments

  1. Here is some info on a group that started Permablitzing in the U.S. a few years back. They call them Grow Food Parties. There are now a few groups in California following this model. I am sure there are more too. This is the only one I know about.

    https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_12206494

    https://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/nov/01/volunteer-crew-relishes-creation-of-edible/

    And their YouTube videos:

    Santa Cruz Food Party
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOG2ajvsi0I

    Ojai Food Party
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwwHWln08Z4

    In Sydney there is also Permaculture North. They hold a Permabee once a month in a members backyard (once they have worked in two Permabees).

    I love it! Let the concept spread!

  2. Hi, I’m wondering if you know of any permablitz groups up on the gold coast. I’ve just moved here and would love to participate in this, both to learn and find community, but also later to transform my garden (currently paved over with turf).

  3. Am impressed by the community spirit of spreading and sharing something good for mankind and earth. Well done…hope this spirit will be caught in Singapore. At the moment there is no permaculture center as far as i know as it is not an agriculture base nation, hence the nation is so dependent on food import from other countries.

    I am presently residing in Malaysia and into SEED program which stands for Sustainable Ethno Eco-tourism Development. Am working towards applying premaculture principles in our business network as well as into our homes. Much to learn indeed and it is indeed life changing….

    cheers

    mk

  4. Hi there,

    Sooo happy to see Permablitz taking off.
    Ross and i would like to get a Perth section going. We do designs and implement them on PDC’s, but would like to do a Permablitz for folk on a regular basis.
    We have lots of people willing to work towards this idea.
    Can somebody please send us some information to help us get started.
    Jen Mars

  5. Hi, I’m just finding out about permablitzing and as I am a freelance writer, writing mainly stories for children/educational stories, I would like to get to know more about the movement, if it is a movement, and help through writing about it. Pleaase get in touch and we can discuss it.
    Many thanks and good luck.
    Sincerely
    Rob Fielding

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