Intensive Permaculture in Small Garden Spaces

The Dervaes family in downtown, urban Los Angeles grow 95% of their own food in their 1/10 acre garden. They also grow enough to sell locally, earning around $20,000 a year.

The Dervaes family live on 1/10th of an acre 15 minutes from downtown L.A. Their house isn’t over large and neither is there garden. But whilst their neighbours back yards contain washing lines, kids play equipment and ornate gardens, the Dervaes family have developed a fabulous little urban farm. The video below is simply inspirational.

In a year they produce around 4,300 pounds of veggies, 900 chicken eggs, 1000 duck eggs, 25 lbs honey, and pounds of seasonal fruit. There are over 400 species of plants. They’re effectively living off the land and succeeding, wait for the bit in the video when the local chefs come knocking on their door. The chef is keen to use organic, locally sourced produce and the family farm delivers with gusto.

It’s interesting to observe their irrigation methods too, using clay pots and utilising, not wasting everything they have.