Desert Garden Tour

Geoff is back at the Greening the Desert site in the spring of 2023, and he’s giving us a morning tour of the garden. There is a lush, green herbaceous layer still present from the winter rains. Deciduous trees are putting their leaves back on. Fruit is on the mulberries, guavas, and citrus, while the olives and date palms are flowering. It’s a beautiful time of day at a beautiful time of year in Jordan.
Date palms have been pruned and look “smart”. Nitrogen-fixing legumes have grown back since their chop-and-drop in September, and it’s just in time for them to provide shade in summer. The plant systems have been established over winter, and new gardens and trellises are in place. Purslane is growing as a fantastic edible groundcover.
We pass a collection of fruit trees and support species: pink shahtoot mulberry, leucaena, date palms, papaya, tipuana tipu, albizzia lebbeck, Kei apple, pomegranate, olives, custard apples, guava, Brazilian cherry… We also have useful herbs and shrubs like cotton bushes and marshmallow. A row of citrus lines the back fence, and a groundcover of Singapore daisy is spreading beneath it.
Crops like tomatoes, eggplants, fennel, and celery are growing where the chicken pen used to be, and the chicken house has been converted into a carpentry classroom. Two Subpods (in-ground worm farms) are cycling nutrients into the soil.
A renovation of the old toilet and shower block is making a three-bedroom accommodation building of mudbrick. The driveway has been paved, and grape trellises erected over it with new grapevines growing up each post. The reedbed is being reworked and has a new micro-swale coming off it. Beehives are thriving.
More and more applications of permaculture are within. Citrus is everywhere. Birds are everywhere. There is hope for a sustainable way to live, even in the desolate Jordanian desert.
Key Takeaways:
- The Greening the Desert Project garden continues to thrive and mature year after year as the infrastructure around it is adjusted to accommodate change.
- Not only is this a beautiful picture of a beautiful time of day in a beautiful time of year, it is a picture of what a sustainable future can look like.
To support us in making more videos:
► Watch the Permaculture Masterclass: www.discoverpermaculture.com
► Like us on Facebook: / geofflawtononline
► Follow us on Instagram: / geofflawtononline
► Subscribe to our KZbin channel: / @discoverpermaculture
► And most importantly, enjoy your permaculture journey!
About Geoff:
Geoff is a world-renowned permaculture consultant, designer, and teacher that has established demonstration sites that function as education centers in all the world's major climates. Geoff has dedicated his life to spreading permaculture design across the globe and inspiring people to take care of the earth, each other and to return the surplus.
About Permaculture:
Permaculture integrates land, resources, people, and the environment through mutually beneficial synergies - imitating the no-waste, closed-loop systems seen in diverse natural systems. Permaculture applies holistic solutions that are applicable in rural and urban contexts and at any scale. It is a multidisciplinary toolbox including agriculture, water harvesting and hydrology, energy, natural building, forestry, waste management, animal systems, aquaculture, appropriate technology, economics, and community development.
#permaculture #greeningthedesert #foodforest

[@narikkirakinian1791]

Geoff is a manifestation of the beauty of this planet. Imagine the planet if there were more people like him that sees life beyond wealth calculation ...

[@UPGardenr]

He is training as many as he can.

[@ned1177]

actually this is true wealth right here...

[@munr1200]

Long live the King 👑

[@scotts1008]

Be the change you want to see just like him. Start in your yard or community I’m doing the same thing on my small property so you are not alone 😊

[@mieessaayaachis2336]

What a transformation; I have been following every progress of this place for years and I am amazed how much change we can make in this world even at places that looks it’s impossible to do so. I wish more people pay attention to this way of living responsibly on our planet.

[@releventhurt]

Its incredible to know this was a hard rocky hill and now hes flirting with the garden of eden!

[@Picci25021973]

That is what happens when man becomes the most regenerative power of nature instead of the most degenerative. Geoff, you're my hero.

[@YenAmity]

Amazing watching the development and expansions over the years. I hope we can see an update on the lady across the way, I think it’s been awhile!

[@UPGardenr]

I agree

[@andrewk2338]

I had a lot of doubts about buying a plot of land in the Catalonia region of Spain, but these videos related to the project in Jordan dispelled my doubts; unfortunately, the amount of rainfall on the plot of land that I bought leaves much to be desired. Usually the town of Gandessa in Terra Alta has about 540 mm of precipitation per year, but in the last 3 years the amount of precipitation has been halved. I bought 4.6 hectares near the forest to help the ecosystem be sustainable and become a model for others. It’s very good that my plot of land is located at the foot of the northern slope, surrounded by a pine forest. Thanks for the video in hot climates.

[@exponentialagroforestryini4381]

I have follow this project for many many years now and I watch every video at least thrice to make sure the potency of what has been done here really seeps in just like how overtime water shapes even the hardest stones. I have been to the Dead Sea valley before in summer and the environment is crushingly hot. The dirt non existent it’s like a silt. But to see how this forest garden has taken shape. Wow. To see what is possible with patience and good design. And now the whole neighborhood is evolving. Wow. What an inspiration.

[@alees9344]

MashAllah what a stunning transformation and example of permaculture.

[@FuckYTube]

I love these garden tours!! It really does give me hope I can do it here on the Costa Tropical in Andalucia, Spain. I often wish the government here would ask you to make a plan to restore the ecosystem here as there is so much damage done to it by the completely unsustainable plastic greenhouse agricultural shitstem. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jenniferspring8741]

Geoff knows so much, but I absolutely love his knowledge of the plants, and love for them. Animals too. I think the more you work with nature, the more you realize that it’s your heart. The smell of the soil, the beauty of the flowers, we are sensitized to all this. We could scientifically say it’s for survival reasons, but aren’t we here for more than that?

[@sharonagoren6751]

I keep thinking of the happiness of the people who live with these gardens with such abundance. I have been following this project for years.

[@ninemoonplanet]

Years of work and I think the neighbouring area is looking at this and trying to figure out how to do it themselves now. When this first started it was a dream, an aspiration, now it's a place seen for miles around. All those birds are a significant change for the ecology of the area. Here 🇨🇦 clearcut logging has created areas close to desert conditions, and two years ago the rain from an atmospheric river created landslides exactly where the mountains were shaved off. Removing old growth forests was just curbed this year, up until now 1000 year old trees were cut down for lumber, and none replaced. It's an horrific scene looking at what we're dense forests now barren.

[@nekononiaow]

Yup, the passivity of the Canadian federal government with regards to old growth forests, lands and recent mega fires has been painful to watch. They had decades long advance warnings and were caught without their pants on nevertheless.

[@kertmaddyson4378]

Я думала такое варворство только в России. Надеюсь ваше правительство одумается.

[@seppomuppit]

It's really coming along. I'd be keen to see how much soil build-up you've managed to achieve in the first areas you planted since the start of the project.

[@PkSage89]

Theres hardly much online right now that brings the wellspring of positive emotions that these videos do. Truely the core of solutions needed near everywhere and at all times. Surprising that this kind of knowledge is not more common place for how much wellbeing it brings, you could make a massive protocol out of it. If everybody had been growing their lawns, they would be walking out of their houses into food, everyones overall health would of been far better over time so at this point, far less drug stores would of been needed and with all those complications. How much less would this maddeningly redundant repetitive diminutive extent of infrastructure be today. Thanks for all that you do. How to give as many people a green thumb as possible to get this potentially global influence rolling.

[@isabelladavis1363]

Absolutely beyond impressive purslane was a discovery I found in my grasses last year and made a delicious pesto with other herbs in the garden…so wish I had started this food Forrest many years ago…but it’s never too late right …LOVED THE TOUR and the amazing diversity and joys in the harvest…stay blessed and thank you for the share and encouragement that any thing is possible…with time love and care…

[@jhosk]

A video i keep coming back to

[@MartinaSchoppe]

I'd love to see a video (or several) of all the sites "Greening the desert" inspired to green the desert, too. Maybe with drone footage to really make them stand out in the dead, white dust country!

[@elsaspezio3814]

Great to see you back in Jordan and continuing the amazing work. Any chance for an update on your neighbor Abla (sp?) while you're there? She's such an inspiration!

[@StillOnTrack]

I've been inspired by this project from the moment I saw the very first video where the locals were alarmed at the emergence of mushrooms because they'd never had enough moisture in living memory, and the local officials thought you'd washed the salt way down into the subsoil because nobody in living memory had ever managed to lock it up in the soil the way this system did. I thought then as I do now how amazing this all is, and that as you say, if you can do it even there, it can be done almost anywhere. Absolutely amazing.

[@jeff6899]

Always love these desert forest updates from Geoff !!

[@ks1517]

Beautiful. Carrying on the work of Mollison, as well as your own work, making the world that much better. 👍 😊

[@Strooisuiker]

It is so great to see the garden like this! Gives me hope for the future of our planet :) Also, everytime you are in Jordan, I wonder how Abla is doing. Would she be willing do an update tour of her land too?

[@brianquinn5060]

Thank you for asking about Abla, would love to hear and see her progress.

[@josephbiben5197]

Yes let's see how she's doing!

[@srantoniomatos]

Everytime i see an update on this project its a tonic! Tanks.

[@rosehill1595]

Oh wow - I just love to see this much progress. Beautiful architecture and smart terraces, another new building and improvements everywhere. Paradise - so yeah, it needed those gorgeous planters filled with colorful scented roses to perfume the air. L-O-V-E!:). The design and layout is nothing short of amazing. Sustainability executed to the highest standards while allowing for both functionality and beauty. Nature - beauty - plenty of food to share - education and artistry - craftsmanship and not just pride but clearly love for creating a better life. There is always more to do but we can all agree that this is a shining example of what all of us can do. On a side note this is the best Geoff has ever looked - he exudes more confidence and more inner satisfaction than ever:). It is inpiring to this Florida gardener to see what is possible and that permaculture doesn't have to mean ugly and messy - because as nobody can deny, this project is neat, tidy and beautiful! Take that and smoke it in your pipe:) to all the lovers of keeping a garden in military precision, with not a blade of grass out of place.

[@karunamayiholisticinc]

Place looks n sounds like a spiritual hermitage. I want to go out now and experience the sound of those beings around him

[@pongop]

I'm smoking the good herb while I watch this. I had just put it down, and a lingering trail of smoke wafted to my nose, unbeknownst to me, yet at the exact moment Geoff showed the tomato plants, and I could have sworn I was smelling fresh tomato plants as if I were there. I was astonished, until I looked down and realized it was the smoke! And also being high. Lol but what a great and funny moment. And now I smell it again!

[@iteerrex8166]

It sounds like a wonderful forest.

[@spiral-m]

Very inspirational! The blue bird was Palestinian sunbird by the way. Like an old world version of the hummingbird. Such gems!

[@atruefreethinker1944]

looks good Geoff. I'm always impressed and motivated.

[@StillOnTrack]

I'll bet the cat(s) absolutely love living there. So many places to explore and take naps. 😊

[@salardis8804]

The site has really developed in a phenomenal way. Very well done to all the workers and students. It shows that Permaculrure done right really does work very well.

[@b_uppy]

Hopefully this is continually encouraging more nearby to emulate this. It is so lush and wonderful and would be nice to see others experience this abundance.

[@nohandle23]

What a transformation.....it was good if we had a Ariel view of the site......a dry lifeless strip of land turned into an oasis. Would love to hear from the locals who never trusted the process....now they know anything is possible.....it delights me to see the tremendous effort come to fruition. Hats off Geoff and team

[@writingofrain]

This is so inspiring! My current goal is to save up money for permaculture courses and create beautiful spaces like this that feed people AND heal the planet (:

[@suz4keeps]

Inspiring thank you

[@EatVancouverIsland]

its amazing to see the progression on this site. so inspiring

[@Littlewoods_permaculture]

My farms seems to be turning into a desert. Thanks for the inspo

[@younggary7849]

thank you for sharing your experience n knowledge all this year.might god bless you.waiting for Jesus Christ second .coming.appreciate your hard work

[@jeanniefletcher9937]

What wonderful legacy you are leaving Geoff and Nadia. So much beauty and productivity 🎉

[@letusgrowit0274]

Amazing! Geoff Lawton is really a blessing to this world.

[@davidsadu]

KEEP GOING GEOFF,YOU ARE EXAMPLE FOR THE PLANET,OUR OMLY AND UNIC HOME.YOUR VIDEOS ARE CHANGING LIVES OF MANY.GOD BLESS YOU AMIGO!!!

[@PsychicIsaacs]

Geoff, I am currently establishing a semi-arid food forest in North Central Victoria, (near Inglewood, Wedderburn and St Arnaud)!using Opuntia ficus indica as the canopy species (below the real canopy, which is a box-ironbark forest, or open woodland). Your videos are absolute gold, mate, if you want to pop in for a cuppa anytime, I’ll stop everything and put the billy and damper on, just for you!

[@b_uppy]

You might want to diversify a bit more with your canopy species.

[@lydiaakhzarlac4175]

Geoff Lawton, you are a remarkable human being. Thank you!

[@originalfightfan5464]

I always watching and updated this inspiration videos.. sir Geoff is so amazing human.. greening the desert is so inspirational thing is how to care this planet..

[@09conrado]

I would love a video on the impact all your work in Jordan is having on the mindset of the surrounding community, on the landscape around, and on the larger area. Not so much specific families but more like, what are the first subtle signs of change you can notice? Do you see any progress already? Is the project well known to the communities around you there, or how does it do in being an example towards governmental projects? In earlier videos I thought I saw a gradual spreading out of the green areas in overview shots. Is this correct? Plus, this new site adjacent to the old chicken coop apparently already was quite green, but with better management you're getting it to thrive. Were all these citrus planted there before you acquired it?

[@b_uppy]

I just said the same thing.

[@geofflawton3198]

It’s gaining recognition all the time.

[@LifesadventurePaulMcConkey]

Amazing Geoff what a stunning example of Permaculture at ground Zero. Truly masterful, inspiring and motivating ❤

[@cesarmagdaleno6009]

What wonderful sounds from all the animals. Shows the health of the site.

[@izzzzzz6]

Amazing work Geoff! I wish the world would follow your ways. Don't forget to include the mandatory aerial shot of the village!

[@maddybbboy]

Allahumma Barik! What an amazing place be be.

[@bjorn7355]

I visited the greening of the desert project 6-7 years ago. It is incredible changes that have happened. Continues all the best with the project Geoff!

[@billybongon5535]

Nice

[@Yes2Wisdom4me]

Every concerned person should be gleaning Mr. Lawton's wisdom and practice in permaculture..its priceless, worth more than gold for the coming global climate changes. Can't eat money and can't drink oil, my fellow human beings!😉♥️

[@CameronTurner-mc7co]

Bless you Geoff Lawton. You’re a true inspiration.

[@Clazers]

Geoff, baby. Good to see you back.

[@isi2isi67]

Wonderful work, I have really enjoyed following this since it's initial inception and look forward to it developing further

[@marcusbusby]

Stunning! Beautiful to see what the colours of the canopy are like together for that climate zone. Wow the new strawbale building, and the paved driveway both beautiful. Magical. The strawbale building must be very cool inside I guess? Fantastic work. Broadbeans in the desert!? It is all so inspiring, and must be for the people living in the area too. It's Eden!

[@marcusbusby]

Thanks for the tour!

[@papapetad]

It's looking lush and beautiful. Such a treat seeing this piece of land transformed and hearing all the birds enjoying the vibrancy you've brought back here. Thanks for the tour. Looking forward to many more such tours.

[@k0mm4nd3r_k3n]

Thanks Geoff! Absolute King.

[@AlexPine84]

It's interesting that you say golden light. I have noticed that in Adelaide Australia the morning and afternoon light has become much more white or blue in the past year or so.

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Good morning, Geoff, from Windermere, Florida zone 9b USA 🇺🇸 ❤ I'm watching your peaceful tour in my early hours of pre-dawn. Thanks for sharing your creation. Thanks for devoting your life to making the world healthier. And thanks for sharing your knowledge with those who want to listen 🎶 I'm looking forward to the next part of the tour 👍

[@suziegibson4427]

Love taking a walk with you while enjoying my coffee. You are such a lovely human and seem to attract other lovely humans. Gorgeous bird moment. What a joy

[@Kizarat]

Damn, I miss Jordan and the Greening the Desert Project site. I can't believe it's been 5 years from when I visited. So much growth and upgrades to the site since then! Geoff is a legendary man!

[@mikeycbaby]

Amazing. Been watching the transformation of this site now for years. Very inspiring. Would love to see the whole community adopt these techniques.

[@sheilaackers3854]

Thanks for the tour Geoff so much change. Love to see the humming birds. Stay safe God bless you and yours x

[@mattjpoolr]

You do give us hope Geoff ❤

[@hernanwesley]

Wow, that's so cool ! it's like watching the PDM come alive! my garden wants to be like that when it grows up.

[@chillthompson3387]

The transformation is astounding

[@carlmorrow1]

Marvelous.

[@pongop]

This is amazing, especially for the desert! We need this is California's Central Valley. We do have the Underground Gardens, which are amazing and inspirational. Gardening and living underground is a great idea for extreme climates. Fresno Forestiere Underground Gardens.

[@honeybeesforsale]

That looks like a great apiary you have there.🐝

[@pleasantpatch]

This is amazing! Watching from Newfoundland, Canada where we have a last frost date of June 15th. I bet no one down there are starting their tomato seeds under grow lights during the middle of winter lol So beautiful, a new location added to my bucket list!

[@sercem7314]

thanks Geoff :) please visit us in Cyprus :)

[@b_uppy]

Cypress would be a good place to see work done.

[@geofflawton3198]

Love to

[@sercem7314]

@@geofflawton3198 we would like to see you here in Cyprus anytime you wish to :)

[@richermorin]

thank you for your time

[@siminikiwikii]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing

[@ThomiBMcIntyre]

I needed a shot of hope today. Thank you

[@lindaellin559]

Thank you - love it 😍

[@ArsasSternenkatze]

It is so beautiful - thank you geff for sharing this ❤

[@deniseb4426]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Fantastic. Thank you Geoff for a look around. Great to see the surroundings in stark contrast to your site. Looks and sounds like, based on the birds that, the system is primed for volunteer tree and shrubs. To the point where there will be maintenance needed to dig up volunteer trees to add to the nursery. Well done and inspiring as always.

[@businesspins5825]

What a blessing ❤

[@careynazyeustt5841]

Big THANK YOU 😊

[@thornhedge9639]

Amazing! Thank you for this!

[@TD-nf1qo]

Stunning!

[@deniseb4426]

Your work is incredible!

[@hamzaahadaf4399]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@mojavebohemian814]

Lovely.

[@rkh7904]

Wow, so much has happened there since I last saw your video of the desert. What a fabulous oasis everyone has created. Missed seeing the chooks, though we could hear them. lol. They are obviously in a new location too.

[@atomicsmith]

Beautiful progress!

[@deancarlyle7431]

Amazing!

[@hilly2777]

Geoff, you are a miracle worker! Your sites never cease to amaze and inspire me. Thank you for keeping us updated on the progress as well as including the botanical information on the tours.

[@djgriffin66]

Wow - love the progress.... Ex Pat trying to start a tiny food forest in NM atm - 6100 feet near Santa Fe - year 3 :) You have been my teacher and inspiration - thank you

[@garybrohard3144]

Amazing.

[@nigellablossom]

You can really see the love in Geoff's eyes when he is here.. it's beautiful to watch 💚

[@danam2584]

Love it! It's really coming along nicely. I remember when you first started. Just amazing!

[@Reyajh]

Always soo exciting seeing that site progress over the last 10 or so years for me... What an accomplishment!!! Congrats!!!

[@twigandroot]

I Love these updates

[@Ferrum_Anima]

Absolutely beautiful! You and your work has been an inspiration to me. I will never look at a piece of land as hopeless when it comes to developing a sustainable system.

[@lyssasletters3232]

It’s a jungle!!!!!

[@kimsome8334]

What an amazing contribution you’ve made, much gratitude

[@jacquimaggo9234]

Love it Geoff!! Looking amazing ❤ Proud of your achievements 🇦🇺

[@markrockliff2742]

Great achievement Geoff. It's amazing to see the boundary view to contrast what was and what is now thanks to your leader ship.