Cow manure
500+ tonsOur main source of organic matter. It is rich in the bacteria and nutrients without which life in the soil never wakes up.
Ashram · serving the land
The land
of Vraja
The guiding principle of our care for plants is ahimsa, non-violence. We grow everything without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
- 500+ tonsof manure worked into the soil
- 250 tonsin the first stage alone
- 8 speciesnew to the site in the first week of the rains
- 0chemical fertilizers or pesticides
What we inherited
A field that
became a desert
Our land used to be a farm field. For years the previous owners pumped it full of chemicals — common practice in these parts.
When we tried to grow anything, it quickly became clear that without a chemical “boost” not even weeds would come up. The plot soon turned into a desert, “decorated” only by a crust of salt.
Soil and groundwater analysisPhysical, chemical and biological
Physical
Broken structure
Heavy compaction, no aeration, low water-holding capacity; water doesn’t soak in.
Chemical
Total imbalance
Acidification, salinization, toxic substances and heavy-metal salts.
Biological
Almost lifeless
Low biological activity: too few of the microorganisms plants need in order to grow.
ConclusionThe soil is scorched, exhausted and badly polluted
Healing
Trenches,
berms and green manures
We sought advice from like-minded people around the world and trained at Aranya Permaculture Farm to learn how to restore the land’s natural qualities.
01
The edge effect
This is one of the principles of permaculture: where two environments meet — land and water, forest and grassland — life is at its richest, because the resources of both ecosystems come into play.
02
Eight new species
To our surprise, in the very first week of the rainy season at least eight plant species appeared that we had never seen on the land before.
03
Green manures
Next we sowed the soil with specially chosen plants whose roots loosen the earth, enrich it with nitrogen and attract microorganisms.
A first-aid kit for the land
Five natural
remedies
No chemicals — only what nature itself provides to bring the soil to life.
Jivamrita
life-giving nectarA local fertilizer that literally brings the soil back to life by “feeding” the earth’s invisible inhabitants — soil microorganisms.
- cow urine
- cow dung
- jaggery (gur)
- chickpea flour
- compost
- mustard oil
Mycorrhiza
a fungus of the genus GlomusA “supermarket for plants”: the plant signals what it needs, and the fungus supplies micronutrients and amino acids in exchange for carbon.
Vermicompost
the work of earthwormsWorms digest compost, destroy pathogens and enrich it with enzymes and plant growth hormones.
Mulch
an organic “blanket”Shredded rice and wheat husks keep the soil from drying out, hold its temperature and moisture steady, and feed its microorganisms.
The result
The desert
became a garden
Once the land was ready, we began planting trees, flowers, vines and shrubs. Within a few years we had a forest, an orchard, a Zen garden and an organic vegetable garden. When we take care of nature, nature takes care of us.
Forest36 native species
Orchardover 15 varieties of mango alone
Grown in just a few years on barren groundZen gardenwhere desert once was
Tasty, wholesome vegetables — no chemicalsOrganic gardengrown in the spirit of ahimsa
Sharing our experience
Come and
learn
If you are interested in eco-friendly landscaping, gardening or farming, come and see us — we will gladly share what we have learned.
