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> Program Proposition for Training
Gardeners |
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PROGRAM PROPOSITION FOR TRAINING OF 6 GARDENERS: The vegetable section of the Botanical Garden would like to propose a practical training program for the gardeners in Auroville to be able to grow vegetables on a home/commercial scale as well as on seed saving techniques. This will be a step-by step procedure starting from a barren site; tackling; along the way, all the necessary skills for food production, like forming a nursery, making compost piles, setting up a basic irrigation system, making beds, planting, after-care, harvesting for food as well as for seed, and lastly seed saving. 1. CLEANING THE SITE |
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2. DESIGNING THE GARDEN > Learning to plan the garden according to the amount and nature of
produce required. |
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3. LEARNING HOW TO BUILD A SOIL-BODY, CALLED A RAISED BED > Leaning to position correctly and to mark the proposed site with
rope. During this program, explanation in Tamil will be provided to the trainees,
to enlighten them of different aspects and purpose of the raised bed,
mulch and proper water use. |
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4. ELABORATION OF COMPOST PILES, USING DIFFERENT MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES > Learning how to build a compost pile with animal manure. > Learning to identify usable materials, generally rejected by people,
to create compost (leaves, top-soil, decomposed materials). During that program explanation in Tamil will be provided to the trainees, as well as the trainees will be always assisted by 2 trained workers, who will act as demonstrators. |
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5. CREATION OF A VEGETABLE NURSERY > Learning how to prepare nursery soil. During that program explanation in Tamil will be provided to the trainees,
as well as, the trainees will be always assisted by 2 trained workers,
who will act as demonstrators. |
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6. STARTING THE VEGETABLE GARDEN, IN ANNADANA GARDEN (Mahakali, park), AND IN AV BOTANICAL GARDEN > Learning how to design a vegetable garden > Learning how to transplant seedlings, proper spacing in between them, proper composting, and proper depth of transplanting > Learning how to position the different species, introduction to the concept of perma-culture and companion planting, to avoid pests and to work within nature's principal. > Learning how to make support structures for different vegetables
like tomatoes, cucumber, and gourds. |
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> Learning to maintain and provide after care, to the vegetable garden. 7. INTRODUCTION TO THE CONCEPT OF SEED SAVING The trainees will be introduced to the concept of saving seeds for the
next season, as well as seed saving and conservation techniques, and the
roles of insects as pollinators, and how to protect and respect them. |
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INTRODUCTION TO THE CONCEPT OF SOIL The trainees will be introduced to the concept of growing soil first, for a sustainable and profuse agriculture, as well as learning about in situ green manuring as an alternative to imported animal manure. |
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TREES AND SHRUB NURSERY IN THE BOTANICAL
GARDEN > Learning how to prepare the right mix of soil for nursery bag. > Learning how to fill plastic bag and to position them correctly in their permanent places. > Learning about germination techniques according to the different seed species. > Learning about transplanting the different species. > Learning about after care provided to the seedlings. > Learning about some of the common trees and shrubs of the Auroville area. LANDSCAPING IN THE LIGHT OF WATER AND SOIL CONSERVATION (in mahakali park, Annadana garden) > Learning how to visualize the movement of water, which can occur during heavy rainfall. > Building water harvesting structure, in a spirit of enhancement of the landscape. |
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REALISATIONS FROM THE GREEN WORK TRAINING CENTER AFTER 6 MONTHS OF RUNING PROGRAM Creation of 4000 sq. Vegetables gardens, demonstrating the different
techniques of sustainable agriculture and also of bio intensive mini farming. CREATION OF TREES AND SHRUB NURSERY |
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CREATION OF A VEGETABLE NURSERY > Learnt how to prepare nursery soil. |