A Permaculture and Autonomy Prototype in the making in Lower Saxony—With a Little Help from my Workaway friends
You could say I’ve been on a 20-year adventure in Germany—turning a patch of Lower Saxony from grazed-out grassland into a Paulownia-filled, permaculture playground. Now, the journey is about to get even wilder. Enter Workawayers—a band of like-minded wanderers, volunteers, and dreamers who just might be the fresh breath of life this project has been waiting for.
I’ve always believed in the power of the land, the trees, and the subtle alchemy of letting nature do its thing while we humans help guide it along. But now, this “Garden of Eden” experiment is kicking into high gear, and Workawayers are rolling in from around the globe to help build something that could be revolutionary.
Why Workawayers, Why Now?
Learn about water autonomy in Lower Saxony, Germany (workaway.info)
I’ve been working the soil and planting trees for years now. The New World Garden has always been about showing how the right mix of permaculture, agroforestry, and good old-fashioned elbow grease can create a vibrant, thriving ecosystem. But here’s the kicker: doing it alone only gets you so far.
Enter Workawayers. This isn’t just about building ponds, treehouses, or the world’s most epic curry-powered kitchen (though those things are happening, trust me). It’s about community—bringing together people who believe in something bigger, who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty to see something beautiful rise from the earth. And when I say “rise,” I’m talking about trees that invite rain, feed people, and create habitats that could outlast us all.
The Adventure Begins: Ponds, Pump Houses, and Permaculture Dreams
We’ve already kicked things off in style. A few ponds are dug, and the pump house is rising—this thing’s going to look like it came straight out of a permaculture fever dream when it’s done. (Check out the pictures I’ve posted; you’ll see what I mean.) These ponds aren’t just about aesthetics. They’re about water autonomy—capturing rainwater, filtering it naturally, and feeding it back into the ecosystem in a closed-loop system that’s as sustainable as it is necessary.
Workawayers will help take this experiment to the next level. Together, we’ll be building more ponds, laying out a constructed wetlands food forest (think “wild abundance”), and planting enough trees to make the local wildlife think they’ve stumbled into paradise.
The Lower Saxony Edge: What’s Next for the New World Garden?
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a quaint little garden in some sleepy corner of Lower Saxony. The New World Garden is an idea—one that’s about to get louder, wilder, and maybe even a little rebellious. With Workawayers coming in from all over, the vibe is shifting from one-man eco-dream to full-on global permaculture movement! OK… settle down Ken… .. oh sorry.. .I was on a roll there for a second!
I’m not looking for tourists or casual weekend gardeners here. I’m looking for fellow revolutionaries—people who see trees as more than decoration, who understand that water autonomy isn’t just a pipe dream, and who want to be part of something that could change the way we think about land stewardship. We’re not playing by the rules anymore; we’re rewriting them.
So yeah, this chapter is only just beginning. If you’re reading this and you feel that twinge of wanderlust—or maybe it’s just the itch to get off-grid and into something real—come join us. This place is going to explode with life, color, and possibility.
We’ve got a permaculture revolution happening here, and trust me, you’ll want to be a part of it.
Looking to the Future: What You Can Expect
I’ve always said trees are the answer to most of our problems. They invite rain, feed people, and create ecosystems that thrive long after we’re gone. With the help of the Workawayers, I plan to plant hundreds more—fruit, nut, and shade trees that’ll turn this place into a forest of abundance. We’ve already got apples, plums, pears, and Asian varieties growing, not to mention hundreds of other native species like beech, ash, and maples.
But it’s not just about trees. It’s about reshaping this land into a place where people can thrive too. My goal is to prove that smart, sustainable water management is the cornerstone of permaculture success. If we can get that right, everything else—trees, wildlife, food—follows naturally.
Come Be a Part of It
So, the invite’s open. Want to learn about permaculture, get your hands in the dirt, and help build something that’s bigger than all of us? You’ll find me here, in Lower Saxony, working on this wild and wonderful New World Garden with the help of a crew of international adventurers.
I’m vegan, by the way—so if you do show up, leave the meat at home. But I’ll make sure you’re well-fed with some killer curries and daal straight from my wood-fired oven. When we’re not working the land, there’s plenty to explore—hiking, biking, or even a trip to nearby Hameln, home of the legendary Pied Piper.
So, what do you say? Want to be part of this off-grid, permaculture experiment? Come join me, and let’s grow something revolutionary.
Stay tuned for more updates—this ride is just getting started.
Keeping it Real
Ken
Learn about water autonomy in Lower Saxony, Germany (workaway.info)