Most people today are aware of climate change, biodiversity collapse, deforestation, and soil degradation. We know these crises are driven by human activity, especially our ways of producing food, materials, and infrastructure.
As I learned more about ideas like Permaculture and even Solarpunk, I started asking myself: What can I actually do to ease the burden on the planet? These frameworks often emphasize community and collective living, but the first person we need to “convert” is always ourselves. So that’s where I want to start.
One thing that stands out to me, and that I don’t think is emphasized enough, is how essential knowledge and skills are. If people don’t know how to grow food or fix things, they won’t do either. Local production can’t happen without local ability. Learning this is part of the path forward for me.
As I’m fairly new to this sport, I figured my trial-and-error might be useful to others. I want to share my ideas, my logic, and my mistakes, for anyone else exploring small-scale urban permaculture.
To do that, I’ll structure this space like a logbook. That means this first post will probably be the longest you’ll see, dear reader, who’s likely found this page by some miraculous accident. I’ll organize future posts into three categories:
OPORD - A post which will give the foundational briefing and strategic overview of the operation/project to be completed. Example 01-25 [first OPORD in year 2025] Oasiforma [name of operation]
FRAGO - A post which will give updates to the situation, if present, and the prime method how I’ll tell myself what I need to do in order to accomplish the mission set by the respective OPORD.
Sitrep - Reflections and outcomes. What worked, what didn’t, and what I learned.
The reason I’m choosing this format is mainly because it amuses me and I believe I can convey many things better and shorter this way without losing coherence and consistency. Additionally, readers will be able to follow along in a more systematic way - without losing the story.
Lastly, some projects were already underway before I decided to write on Substack — like digging a pond (still unfinished). Of course, that won’t stop it from getting a proper FRAGO when the time comes.
I. SITUATION
The operational zone consists of a 27.2 m² garden plot and a 20 m² terrace. Terrain is semi-urban, bordered by cement, asphalt, fencing, and neighboring structures. Soil is loamy, moderately well-draining, with seasonal rainfall (averaging under 700 mm annually).
Current allies:
Sun exposure – south-facing plot with consistent light,
Rainfall – harvested from rooftop collection,
Neighborhood insect life – pollinators, predators, decomposers, and
4-hectare open field – still wild… for now (soon to be built on, like everywhere else).
Known constraints:
Limited growing space,
Limited water storage capacity,
Hardscape and cultural boundaries.
Photographic Map:
II. MISSION
Subplot27, until Spring next year, will establish an Oasis in the suburbs testing and documenting urban permaculture micro-interventions aimed at restoring ecological function, attracting beneficial species, and building foundational living infrastructure within a constrained environment.
III. EXECUTION
Commander's Intent:
Build a resilient, mostly self-sustaining system in small space, observe seasonal dynamics, and generate field-level notes helping others.
Phase 1 Tasks:
Build soil: Apply and compare low-input soil-building methods without synthetic fertilizers.
New Habitats: Increase habitats for beneficial fauna to the plot.
Water Catchment: Expand rainwater harvesting and storage capacity.
End State:
The plot supports active plant growth and microbial life, attracts beneficial species, and relies less on municipal water and artificial inputs.
IV. SUSTAINMENT
Water Source: 100 L rain tank and a bunch of buckets (roof catchment, behind the house), municipal backup.
Tools: Hand tools only — spade, hammer, shovel, rake, buckets, hand-saw, chisels.
Input Supply: Kitchen scraps, household biomass, locally gathered plant matter and stone.
Energy: Manual labor. One operator. Zero emissions.
V. COMMAND & SIGNAL
This project is operated by Me (callsign: Subplot27).
To achieve the strategic mission, FRAGOs will be issued for each tactical objective under the Subplot27 series.
Signal hub: [PermaKos | Substack]
Open for feedback, collaboration, or intelligence from allied plots.
This is where Subplot27 begins!