First Morning in the Greening the Desert Garden (2025 Update)

Описание: Geoff takes us on his first walk through the Greening the Desert site after returning to Jordan, on an unscripted tour full of insights about resilience, soil fertility, shade strategies and plant partnerships that turn bare ground into abundance.

Key Takeaways:

Observation first: Even in challenging environments, close observation reveals what’s working and what needs care.
Plant partnerships matter: Species like lucina and purslane work together to shade the soil and build fertility fast.
Shade is survival: In arid climates, canopy layers and living mulch dramatically reduce water stress.
Abundance returns: What began as bare earth now supports a thriving ecosystem — proof that design can transform even the toughest sites.
Continuous learning: Every season teaches new lessons about resilience, adaptation, and abundance.

Tree Species Mentioned:

Lucina / Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) – nitrogen-fixing, fast-growing, mulch producer
Purslane / Sea Purslane (Portulaca oleracea / Sesuvium portulacastrum) – groundcover, reduces evaporation
Grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi) – fruit tree
Citrus (general) (Citrus spp.) – includes oranges, mandarins, other varieties
Fig (Ficus carica) – fruit tree
Papaya (Carica papaya) – fruit tree
Guava (Psidium guajava) – fruit tree
Olive (Olea europaea) – hardy tree, drought-tolerant
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) – flowering, drought-tolerant
Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) – fruiting tree
Mulberry (Morus nigra / Morus alba) – fruit tree
Mango (Mangifera indica) – fruit tree, protected microclimate
Custard Apple (Annona reticulata / Annona squamosa) – fruit tree
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) – fruit tree
Hibiscus tiliaceus (Beach Hibiscus) – mulch producer, hardy shrub
Albizia (Albizia lebbeck) – shade, biomass, nitrogen-fixing
Aloe Vera (Aloe vera) – groundcover, under citrus
Singapore Daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata) – groundcover, reduces evaporation
Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus / Melaleuca citrina) – ornamental, shade tree
Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) – ornamental, shade tree
Poinciana / Flamboyant (Delonix regia) – shade, ornamental tree
White Cedar (Melia azedarach) – ornamental, shade tree
Brazil Spinach (Alternanthera sissoo) – perennial edible groundcover
Purple Leaf Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) – groundcover, edible
Mother of Millions / Mother-in-law’s Plant (Bryophyllum delagoense / Kalanchoe spp.) – succulent, ornamental
Kangkong / Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) – edible aquatic plant
Banana (Musa spp.) – fruiting, tropical understory

To support us in making more videos:

► Sign up for our newsletter and the Permaculture Circle—Geoff's curated collection of 100+ free videos: https://www.discoverpermaculture.com/...
► Like us on Facebook:   / geofflawtononline  
► Follow us on Instagram:   / geofflawtononline  
► Subscribe to our YouTube channel:    / @discoverpermaculture  
► And most importantly, enjoy your permaculture journey!

#permaculture #greeningthedesert #permaculturedesign #regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth #foodforest #forestgarden #desertfarming #sustainability #sustainablelandscaping