Natural farming refers to an ecological approach that is environmentally friendly, with respect for life and nature. Principally, it minimizes human labor and includes an avoidance of manufactured inputs and equipment.
Natural farming systems are universal, practiced since mankind first began growing food crops.
The Iroquois, native to the northeastern U.S., used a well-conceived “three sisters system,” interplanting beans, corn and squash together in the same mound. The plants benefit each other: The corn provides support for the climbing beans; the beans supply nitrogen for the corn; and the squash ground cover conserves moisture in the soil and suppresses weeds.
Every country has its own form of natural farming, and someone responsible for promoting it.
Masanobu Fukuoka (1913-2008) of Japan was one of the best known for his “do nothing” farming. A microbiologist, Fukuoka worked over 60 years to develop a system of natural farming demonstrating insights received as a young man. He was an outspoken advocate of the value of observing nature’s principles.
Fukuoka identified four principles of natural farming: no soil cultivation (tilling); no chemical fertilizer or prepared compost; no pesticides; and no weeding. Only minimal weed suppression with minimal disturbance is recommended.
The system recognizes the complexity of living organisms that shape an ecosystem and deliberately exploiting it. Fukuoka saw farming not just as a means of producing food but as an aesthetic and spiritual approach to life.
Bill Mollison (1928-2016), an Australian researcher and biologist, is known as the “father of permaculture.” Permaculture is a perennial and sustainable form of agriculture centered on simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features of natural ecosystems.
Permaculture also incorporates social design principles as integral to a truly sustainable system as inspired by Fukuoka’s philosophy.
According to Mollison, “Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labor.”
Dr. Cho Han Kyu is leading the way in promoting natural farming in South Korea, and teaches his concepts all over the world. His innovative farming system, known as Korean Natural Farming, is different from organic farming in that it does not just eliminate chemicals — it is a complete system. It differs from Fukuoka’s nonintensive practices in that it employs elaborate, complicated and precise methods for both crop and livestock production.
The major practice is the use of indigenous microorganisms to improve soil health and fertility. The microorganisms are already present on a given property, so they will be acclimated to that location. These methods involve collecting and increasing the microbes, as well as storing them for future use.
Kyu uses homemade, all-natural tonics and supplements. These “inputs” are used to follow the “nutritive cycle” theory all the way to crop maturity, supplying plants with a different balance of nutrients at each stage of growth. This results in stronger plants with higher yields in a chemical-free environment.
“One of the most important aspects of natural farming is that the farmers make what they need. Fertilizers, soil improvers, pest controllers, disease cure are all made by the farmers themselves using only natural materials based on the nutritive cycle theory,” Kyu said. “We do not simply buy materials from the market and follow the manual. We make what we need and follow the principle of nature. By doing so, we save money and perform better.”
This leads us to the gardening tip of the week:
When recommending fertilizers, consider the old adage: The best fertilizer is a farmer’s footsteps. And its corollary for gardeners: The best fertilizer is a gardener’s shadow. In other words, observe, observe, observe.
Speaking of shade, and with the dog-days of summer now upon us, it’s a good time for “do nothing” gardening while enjoying your favorite frosty beverage.
Gary Kastle is a University of Hawaii certified master gardener. Ty McDonald is a University of Hawaii extension agent.
