My farm is pretty much a hilly terrain. When it rains, the water run-off racing down the slope can be an incredibly large amount. Here, I’ve decided to make a banana circle at one of the lowest point in my farm. Unfortunately, due to a couple of reasons I can’t have it lower or same level as the pond next to it (in hopes of getting the pond’s overflow of water into the banana circle). I just have to place the banana circle slightly above the pond.
Anyway, this entire area and its vicinity is already at a low point (Level 1 & 2). All nutrient and water run-off from higher ground (Level 3 to 6) will be passing through this spot, hence the rational of placing a banana circle here. It’s all by design.
It’s not a strict circle as you can see here. I just needed the very least, an oval shape with curved surface area to have a mound into which I will plant various types of bananas. I’m even considering placing some papayas and other supporting vegetation to maximise this surface area. Hence, it’s not just about bananas, as suggested by its name.
The hole is dug really wide, about at least 3m x 2m at the widest points. I could have gone wider had it not been for consideration of walking paths around it. Earth is removed from the hole and dump outwards on the rim of the “circle” forming a mound.
I’ve planted a Nipah and Bestari banana variety at opposite ends. I should be able to plant a maximum of 2 to 4 more stalks of bananas but perhaps I will just go with 2 more. The rest I will intercrop with other things.
The idea of a banana circle is that any organic waste (e.g. leaves, grasses, small branches, rotten fruits, manure, etc) would be discarded into the centre pit. They will break down and decompose (very much like a cocktail of composting mix in the making) with the help of water; lots of water! Water into the pit could be rain run-off, pond overflow and more importantly, grey water input either from toilet, shower, kitchen or general washing. The resulting nutrients at the centre would seep out into the mound, which will be taken up by the plants.
In short, a banana circle:
- Is a resource for compost generated from its pit. I can harvest its compost store for fertiliser (if manure is added into the pit) and reuse them elsewhere.
- Holds water (in the pit and stem of banana trees). Acts as a “sponge” for pond water/water tank overflow and water run-off.
- Cleans water before dispersing them off into the ground.
- Slows water movement across the land, serving a similar function as a swale.
- Helps recharge ground water by allowing water to seep into the ground.
- Food source for chickens and ducks to scavenge for worms, etc.
- Breeding ground for black soldier fly.
- Refuge for insects.
One installation, serving many functions for various plants, animals and human needs. A classic permaculture principle of capitalising on diversity and advocating for multi-function systems.
My strategy for using them is pretty simple. Put them at the lowest point to soak up excess water (best next to pond). They could also be at the outer most perimeter of your land to catch nutrients before they exit the land. If the land is hilly, like mine, I will endeavour to have at least one on every level.
One of the most important considerations is to scatter them well throughout the land at strategic locations where you think you could effectively digest biomass in the vicinity for compost to be used elsewhere. Really works just like your local council garbage truck!
[Update as of 25 November 2019]
The above photos of the banana circle were taken in early October. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, it was abandoned for almost 2 months. I had no workers to help me complete it as intended (the orang asli who agreed to complete digging up the half-dug hole for RM 20 did not turn up, as expected). Then the rainy season came and the hole became too muddy to dig.
Eventually. there was a short break of dry spell for a couple of days, and it became dry enough to dig. I mustered all the strength and motivation I could get and completed it in about 3 hours straight. Tough and manual labour but necessary. It feels psychologically punishing to be digging a hole all by myself but it just has to be done.
I dug quite deep, about roughly 1.5m if not deeper. I believe the depth from the bottom of the pit up till the highest part of the mound could be almost 2m. Once completed, I dumped a random mix of browns and greens into it, including the remnants from the oil palm tree I fell recently. I’m not too particular about the ratio as the purpose of this pit is to just neatly stow away organic materials in a concentric manner and to feed the bananas/papayas/sweet potatoes planted on the mound. Only when necessary the resulting compost will be harvested and used elsewhere, so this is not the primary compost generator.
