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  • Permaculture Intensive: Community Orchard Restoration logo
  • At Alief Community Garden, we are partnered in the project of Restoring the Community Orchard. This Permaculture Intensive is a service-learning event incorporating Permaculture principals of design for a self-managing system and multiple use. To 'Rewild' the orchard, and capture energy, such as, water for a self-watering system, earthworks has been started to capture water by digging out a 'swale', an intentional depression for rainwater, and areas raised to create 'berms'.

    For this session, planting the Seven Layers of a Food Forest will be covered through demonstration in placement and planting of plants: ground cover, 'nursery' plants which provide nitrogen and mulch for the other plants, wetland Rain Garden plant which act as natural bio-filtration of the water purification and water sink to re-charge the water table, mid-story shrubs for habitat for birds and foraging of berries and leaves for people, and upper canopy of fruit bearing trees and native trees for protection from wind and summer sun. Then, we will plant-out for hands-on experience. Followed by mulching and watering the plants in.

    Our plant selection includes native Gulf Coast Prairie Plants to bio-mimic our natural ecosystem along with easy to grow adapted fruit bearing Tropicals and subtropical plants. All participants will receive digital hand-outs and plant list after the service-learning day!

    Lead by Carol Burton, Director of Permaculture

    Earthworks lead by Kyle Frese, Decentralized Farming LLC
Urban Harvest, Inc. logo
In Support of Urban Harvest, Inc.
Urban Harvest cultivates thriving communities through gardening and access to healthy, local food. We are improving the lives, soil, and plates of​ all Houstonians through: 

ORGANIC GARDENING & NUTRITION EDUCATION
Urban Harvest Classes teach and promote the benefits of organic gardening, ecological land management, and healthy food choices. In schools, our Garden Educators teach children about nature and the origins of their food through hands-on, experiential learning. 

HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS
Through Double Up Houston, Urban Harvest is making fresh, healthy food accessible and affordable for all. Double Up Houston provides SNAP (formerly food stamps) beneficiaries with double the amount of fresh produce for every dollar spent at markets and farm stands across Houston.

COMMUNITY GARDENS
With a network of over 140 edible gardens throughout the Greater Houston area, it's easy to get involved in a garden near you. Urban Harvest provides affiliate gardens with volunteer engagement and workdays; seed and plant distributions; and, free education opportunities to help each garden become long-lasting and well-established for the community it serves.

FARMERS MARKETS
Get to know your farmer at Urban Harvest's Farmers Markets. Here, you will find the freshest farm and artisanal products, each grown, raised, and made within 180 miles of Houston. What’s more, your food dollars stay in the local economy.

Urban Harvest Farmers Market
2752 Buffalo Speedway
Every Saturday; 8am - noon

Mobile Market
Click here for locations.