How on earth would you feed a city of over 200,000 people when the land around you was a swampy lake? Seems like an impossible task, but the Aztec managed it by creating floating gardens known as chinampas, then they farmed them intensively.
These ingenious creations were built up from the lake bed by piling layers of mud, decaying vegetation and reeds. This was a great way of recycling waste from the capital city Tenochtitlan. Each garden was framed and held together by wooden poles bound by reeds and then anchored to the lake floor with finely pruned willow trees. The Aztecs also dredged mud from the base of the canals which both kept the waterways clear and rejuvenate the nutrient levels in the gardens.
A variety of crops were grown, most commonly maize or corn, beans, chillies, squash, tomatoes, edible greens such as quelite and amaranth. Colourful flowers were also grown, essential produce for religious festivals and ceremonies. Each plot was systematically planned, the effective use of seedbeds allowed continuous planting and harvesting of crops.
Between each garden was a canal which enabled canoe transport. Fish and birds populated the water and were an additional source of food. [x]
This is literally so cool. Not only does it contribute to spacial efficiency, but the canals would easily keep pests, weeds, and possibly even diseases out of the respective plots. Companion planting and bio-intensive planting would be so much easier. Water-wise systems would be inherently present. Plus it looks so super neat aesthetically. I am just all about this.
Indigenous civilizations invented sustainable development way before there was a term for it.
Noko is a 9-year-old female Japanese tattoo artist currently apprenticing at a studio in Amsterdam (where her father is a well known tattoo artist). This photo is of her tattooing Japanese accessory designer Fangophilia (he made the silver butterfly ear piece she is wearing). Check out her Instagram Noko_Tattoo to see her work, it’s really cool. She also seems to speak three languages (Japanese, Dutch, and English)!!
Noko is a 9-year-old female Japanese tattoo artist currently apprenticing at a studio in Amsterdam (where her father is a well known tattoo artist). This photo is of her tattooing Japanese accessory designer Fangophilia (he made the silver butterfly ear piece she is wearing). Check out her Instagram Noko_Tattoo to see her work, it’s really cool. She also seems to speak three languages (Japanese, Dutch, and English)!!
What’s best is I love all three portrayals, basically anything with this man in it he’s so precious.
UK Gordon Ramsay is dealing with sensible people and edible food. US Ramsay is dealing with people who have actual health code violations in their restaurants yet claim to be good chefs running an acceptable business. Masterchef Junior Ramsay is teaching kids how to cook. No fucking WONDER there’s a massive difference.