Elizabeth Waddington
Permaculture and Sustainability Consultancy
Permaculture design, sustainability advice and environmental consultancy for individuals, businesses and organisations.
News and Inspiration
Additional Elements For a Food Producing Garden
For a typical food producing garden, creating the growing area or areas will be top of the agenda. But this month, as you are planning your new food producing garden, it could be helpful to think about other elements you should include. In addition to creating an area in your garden where you can growContinue reading “Additional Elements For a Food Producing Garden”
Garden Seating Area Ideas for Outdoors Living
Those of us who love the natural world will always seek to spend as much time outdoors in our gardens as we can – even during the coldest months. So today, I thought I would take some time to discuss a few sustainable garden ideas for outdoors living – projects that we might like toContinue reading “Garden Seating Area Ideas for Outdoors Living”
Case Study: Small Space Garden
If you do not have much space, it is more important than ever to make the most of every inch. In this simple case study you can see my quick design for a small yard area of only around 8.5 sq m, sandwiched between a house and the pavement on the intersection of two streetsContinue reading “Case Study: Small Space Garden”
Do You Need a Greenhouse or Polytunnel?
If you are new to growing your own, and plan on creating a new food producing garden, one thing that you might be thinking about is whether you need a greenhouse or polytunnel. The answer, of course, will depend on your specific situation and needs. But in many temperate climate situations, I would most definitelyContinue reading “Do You Need a Greenhouse or Polytunnel?”
Sustainable Food Hubs – Why We Need Them and The Role You Could Play
Our current food system needs to be overhauled. Farmers and food producers will not need to be told that their efforts are often currently hugely undervalued. Environmentalists will no doubt be well aware of the problems inherent in current agricultural and food systems. Those living in food deserts will already know well the injustice inherentContinue reading “Sustainable Food Hubs – Why We Need Them and The Role You Could Play”
Beyond Profit and Financial Cost – Looking at Real Value
When it comes to economics, profit has historically been king. But one of the things that we all have to learn, as a global society, is that real value does not lie in financial profit and endless growth. We need to learn to look at the cost of things not just in terms of money,Continue reading “Beyond Profit and Financial Cost – Looking at Real Value”
Why Choose Heritage Seeds?
At this time of year, many gardeners are turning their attention to ordering seeds to sow in spring. So I thought this could be a good time to talk briefly about why it is a good idea to grow heritage seeds. Heritage seeds are seeds which have been bred, often over a long period ofContinue reading “Why Choose Heritage Seeds?”
How Large Should a Beginner Garden Be?
If you are new to growing your own, you might be contemplating creating a sustainable food producing garden for the first time this year. Many people feel a little overwhelmed when they start to consider creating a garden to grow their own for the first time. But it is important to recognise that gardens comeContinue reading “How Large Should a Beginner Garden Be?”
Market Gardening Tips
Making money is, of course, not the be all and end all. Permaculture food production can add value in many, more important ways. When trying to work out the value a permaculture scheme can add, it is important not to only think about money. It is also important to consider the environmental and social valueContinue reading “Market Gardening Tips”
Case Study: Market Garden Permaculture Design
This is a design for a 1/2 acre market garden. As you might expect, the primary goal for this design is to grow a range of edible produce for household use and for sale. One challenge is that the site is not grid connected, so water and energy were top priorities. This design is aContinue reading “Case Study: Market Garden Permaculture Design”
Energy Generation in Permaculture Plans
If you are making a plan for your garden, homestead or farm site, food production is likely to be your primary concern. But before you commit to creating your designs, it could be a good idea to think about how you might be able to integrate energy generation. In permaculture, of course, we always tryContinue reading “Energy Generation in Permaculture Plans”
A Few Simple Tips For Kitchen Garden Layout
If you liked my post from yesterday, you may also be interested in this other recent article that I wrote for Treehugger: The Kitchen Garden: Layout Tips and Ideas This piece is less about the details of bed shape and configuration, and planting schemes, and more about a few simple tips and ideas that canContinue reading “A Few Simple Tips For Kitchen Garden Layout”
Kitchen Garden Layout Ideas
At this time of year, you might be thinking about creating a new kitchen garden. You might be thinking about improving the layout of the garden you already have. There are, of course, plenty of different ideas to consider. In this article: 7 Vegetable Garden Layout Ideas to Grow More Food in Less Space IContinue reading “Kitchen Garden Layout Ideas”
Findings From My Forest Garden
I recently wrote an article for Treehugger: Findings From My 5-Year Old Forest Garden. This is just a few simple observations from experience that may help others as they move to create and improve their own forest gardens where they live. While there is nothing earth shattering, the idea of this article was to discussContinue reading “Findings From My Forest Garden”
Catching Snow Melt in Your Garden
The snow that we had here has now almost entirely gone. The temperatures are much higher. And all that snow melt from our roof now means that the rainwater harvesting barrels are full. I thought this could be a good time to talk about catching snow melt in your garden – to help you makeContinue reading “Catching Snow Melt in Your Garden”
Snow and Frost in the Forest Garden
The forest garden does not, perhaps, look at its best at this time of the year. Nor is it at its most productive. But there is a beauty to the garden in the winter too. Here are few pictures I took on Friday night, to capture the snowy scene before it all melts, as itContinue reading “Snow and Frost in the Forest Garden”
Case Study: Oregon Permaculture Garden
The primary goals for this permaculture design were to create a plan that would allow the residents of this historic property in coastal Oregon to grow food and other resources for themselves and guests that they will welcome onto the site in a sustainable way. The goal was also to create a garden that couldContinue reading “Case Study: Oregon Permaculture Garden”
Growing Your Own – Is Forest Gardening Right For You?
When most people think about growing their own, they think first about growing annual crops. Most people think of food production, it involves growing a range of common fruits and vegetables in kitchen gardens, in the ground, in raised beds, or in containers. But as those who are familiar with forest gardening will know, theseContinue reading “Growing Your Own – Is Forest Gardening Right For You?”
Keeping Focus on Sustainability
The pandemic, assaults on democracy, division and discord: there are plenty of things that can make it difficult to focus on sustainability. But the changes we must have are sweeping and urgent, and it is important that we remain dedicated to positive change. One might imagine that environmental concerns would fade in face of otherContinue reading “Keeping Focus on Sustainability”
Creating Garden Rooms in a Permaculture Design
Garden rooms are a ‘trendy’ feature of modern garden design. The idea basically involves compartmentalising a garden into a series of outdoors rooms. This helps blend the inside and outside of your home. It makes it easier to properly make use of the whole of the space available, and can allow you to play withContinue reading “Creating Garden Rooms in a Permaculture Design”
Sowing Tomatoes and Peppers Indoors
In a cool climate, sowing tomatoes and peppers indoors is often one of the first sowing jobs of the gardening year. Sowing these summer crops when we are still in the depths of winter might sound a little odd. But in areas with a short growing season, getting sowing soon can allow you to makeContinue reading “Sowing Tomatoes and Peppers Indoors”
Can You Design Your Own Garden?
As a permaculture garden designer, I have created designs for many gardens. But I am also happy to help others to design their own gardens. I believe that when it comes down to the question of whether or not professional help is required, it is important to take a case-by-case approach. I often get theContinue reading “Can You Design Your Own Garden?”
Back To Work
Tomorrow morning I will be getting back to work after my break for the festive season. My husband and I have been working on our barn conversion for the last week, and our slow project is coming along well. But I am now ready and excited to get back to work on a number ofContinue reading “Back To Work”
How To Plan Properly For Sustainable Living
New Year’s resolutions are a good place to start when trying to create a green living plan. It’s good to have goals, as they will set the direction in which you wish to go. But goals are not the be all and end all. I’m sure many of you have started a year with veryContinue reading “How To Plan Properly For Sustainable Living”
10 Resolutions for a More Sustainable 2021
Happy New Year! This is a great time to retrench, and confirm your commitment to a more sustainable way of life. So to get things started on the right foot, here are ten sustainable new year’s resolutions you may wish to consider: Grow at least some of your own food at home. Make sure foodContinue reading “10 Resolutions for a More Sustainable 2021”
What Needs To Change in 2021
As we reach the end of this difficult year, we need to look back and look forward. We need to think about what needs to change. By looking back over what has gone wrong, and what we could all do better, we can begin to not just rebuild, but to forge the future we wantContinue reading “What Needs To Change in 2021”
Five Areas To Focus On For Sustainability
As we approach the end of the year, I thought that I would write a little list for those who want to live in a greener, more ethical and more sustainable way in 2021. Of course, there are plenty of small steps that we can all take to care for people and planet. But ifContinue reading “Five Areas To Focus On For Sustainability”
Learning Lessons from 2020
2020 has of course been a very difficult year for many. But adversity always brings with it the potential to learn and grow. By looking back at all of our experiences, positive and negative, over the last year, we can develop strategies for a better future – for ourselves and our families, and for theContinue reading “Learning Lessons from 2020”
Midwinter Harvests
Though food may be less varied over the winter months, there is still quite a lot that can be harvested in my midwinter garden. Though there have been a few cold days with heavy frosts recently, there are still some yields to harvest outdoors. Kale, cabbage, sorrel and a few other leafy greens… In theContinue reading “Midwinter Harvests”
The History and Evolution of Sustainability
Though the word sustainability has come to prominence in recent years, the concept is nothing new. The concept has been around as long as people have been concerned about the future of resources. The idea that we must take care over the basic resources – food, water, energy – that provide our most basic needsContinue reading “The History and Evolution of Sustainability”
Giving – Charity for Sustainability
One of the theories for the origins of the term Boxing Day is that this was the day when alms or charitable boxes were traditionally distributed. I thought this might be a good time to talk about the role that charity or giving can play in furthering sustainability. Today is that day that I likeContinue reading “Giving – Charity for Sustainability”
Zero Waste Christmas Dinner
You may well have already bought in the food you need for your Christmas dinner and other meals over the festive period. Zero waste begins with what you choose to buy in the first place. But it does not end there. As you enjoy the holiday period with your family, I hope that everyone willContinue reading “Zero Waste Christmas Dinner”
Reassess Work/Life Balance for 2021
As many of us will shortly be taking a break over the festive season, I thought this would be a good time to talk briefly about work/life balance. Many people share the sense that work, worry about work, or pondering the future when it comes to our careers can be rather too consuming. It isContinue reading “Reassess Work/Life Balance for 2021”
Cultivate Kindness – Choose ‘Pleasant’ This Christmas
These are stressful times. This means that it has never been more important to cultivate kindness in all that you do. We often talk about care for other people when talking about sustainability. But all too often, people forget that small, simple acts of kindness on a daily basis are just as important as caringContinue reading “Cultivate Kindness – Choose ‘Pleasant’ This Christmas”
Choose the Right Candles This Christmas
Many of us like to bring a festive spirit to our homes over the festive period. Candles are an age-old way to bright light to the dark evenings. They are great to create a cosy ambiance inside, especially, I feel, at this time of year. But whether you are lighting candles in your own home,Continue reading “Choose the Right Candles This Christmas”
Case Study: Quick Ornamental Bed Plan
Just a quick and simple case study today. This was a plan I created for a client who already had a range of plants that they wished to place in an ornamental border, and wanted me to give them an idea of plant placing and arrangement. While I usually create full designs, I can alsoContinue reading “Case Study: Quick Ornamental Bed Plan”
A White Christmas? Preparing Your Garden For Snow
White Christmases are sadly pretty rare where I live. Though snow in winter is not hugely uncommon, we tend to get it in January or February if it comes at all, and it rarely lasts long. We do occasionally have much more of it, however, and when the forecast suggests that we might have aContinue reading “A White Christmas? Preparing Your Garden For Snow”
Tips For Sustainable Holiday Grocery Shopping
Whether getting together with loved ones this year or not, the holidays often see many people up their grocery spend. This is a time of year when many people like to indulge, and splash out on some edible treats. But as you head out to the shops, or order in your food, it is aContinue reading “Tips For Sustainable Holiday Grocery Shopping”
How Do We Fix Fragile Systems?
A fragile system is one which will break rather than bending. One which will fail to thrive when conditions get tough. One which cannot change and adapt to changing needs, but which is brittle and will not survive whatever the future brings. Fragile systems, both in the garden and in society, can be identified andContinue reading “How Do We Fix Fragile Systems?”
Simple Lavender Beeswax Balm
One way to live more sustainably is to make your own balms, soaps and other cleaning and beauty products. Making your own and taking a DIY approach obviously means that you will buy less (and won’t bring more packaging into your home. It also means that you will be able to avoid harmful or pollutingContinue reading “Simple Lavender Beeswax Balm”
Edible Succulents
Succulents are extremely popular. Keeping them as houseplants is very much on trend. But did you know that you can be part of this trend and the other growing trend of growing your own edible crops at one and the same time? Most succulents are kept purely for their ornamental value, and because they areContinue reading “Edible Succulents”
The Green School Movement
Following on from yesterday’s case study, I thought I would talk a little more about why it is so important consider education, and examine the green school or nature school as an alternative to the box ticking education so many children today are offered. The green school movement is all about making sure that childrenContinue reading “The Green School Movement”
Case Study: The NOWschool Permaculture Plan
This is a permaculture design for the NOWschool – a green and sustainable school planned in Utrecht, Netherlands. This is a project of sustainable businesswoman Juliette Schraauwers, who approached me to create a design for the school. This is a concept inspired by the Green School movement, which advocates an overhaul of our educational systems.Continue reading “Case Study: The NOWschool Permaculture Plan”
How a Garden Building Can Help You Live More Sustainably
In thinking about garden design, it is not always all about the plants. There are times when we may wish to add some kind of garden building to help us to live in a more sustainable way. A garden building constructed from reclaimed or sustainable materials can be a great choice in many gardens. HereContinue reading “How a Garden Building Can Help You Live More Sustainably”
Reasons to Dig in a ‘No Dig’ Garden
I’ve already spoken before on this site about the concept of a ‘no dig’ garden. In a no dig garden, the key is to create and manage growing areas so that we disturb the soil ecosystem as little as possible (and take steps to improve it). This involves strategies like making lasagna gardens, hugelkultur moundsContinue reading “Reasons to Dig in a ‘No Dig’ Garden”
Don’t Neglect the Shrub Layer in a Forest Garden
The shrub layer in a forest garden is one that is sometimes neglected in design. Those new to forest gardening often focus on the trees, then their attention leaps to the herbaceous layer. If they do think about the shrub layer at all, initially, people’s minds tend to leap to typical fruit bushes like gooseberriesContinue reading “Don’t Neglect the Shrub Layer in a Forest Garden”
Garden Jobs for December
December might not be the busiest month of the gardening year. But even in the deep mid winter, when most plants are dormant, there are still some things to do in your garden. Today, I thought I would give you a list of a few garden jobs that you might think about taking on thisContinue reading “Garden Jobs for December”
Rethinking Thistles
Many gardeners view thistles as problem weeds. But thistles (of several different varieties) can be extremely useful garden plants. There are lots of thistles where we live, but rather than trying to eradicate them entirely from cultivated areas, I consider them as a benefit and welcome them in my garden (at least to a degree).Continue reading “Rethinking Thistles”
Pest Control in an Organic Garden
Organic gardening is easier than many people imagine. But one thing that can take some work is pest control. It is, perhaps, the part of organic gardening most commonly misunderstood. It’s not primarily about finding organic alternatives to chemical pesticides. In an organic garden, pest control is not about eliminating or ridding ourselves of aContinue reading “Pest Control in an Organic Garden”
Case Study: Small-Space Haven
This permaculture plan aims to bring a sense of space, nature and freedom to the small space around the home (which is currently being constructed). It aims to combine organic, natural materials with diverse living plants to create a tranquil haven and make the small space seem larger and more filled with possibility. First ofContinue reading “Case Study: Small-Space Haven”
Power Cut and Snow – Building Resilience
Today we awoke a little late because the alarm clock did not go off. Looking out the window, we saw that it had snowed overnight – just a thin covering but enough to cause a few problems. We and lots of other households in our area are without power, and it will take them aContinue reading “Power Cut and Snow – Building Resilience”
Planting in December?
You might not think that there is much planting to do in December. And it certainly isn’t the busiest time of the year when it comes to home growing. But that does not mean that there is no sowing and planting you can do at all. One thing I like to do this month isContinue reading “Planting in December?”
Why Buy Produce Direct From Growers?
During the current health crisis, there has been a lot of talk about the vulnerability of supply chains. But one thing few people stop to ask themselves is why our supply chains are so long in the first place. In other words, why do we buy produce and products from around the globe when thereContinue reading “Why Buy Produce Direct From Growers?”
Zero Waste Ideas for Scrap Fabric
There are lots of ways to repurpose old clothes and turn them into something new, for yourself or for someone else. But some clothes do reach the point where they really are beyond saving. Just because clothes cannot be used for their original purpose any more, that does not mean that you have to throwContinue reading “Zero Waste Ideas for Scrap Fabric”
Planned Reuse on Our Barn Conversion Project
Since we are working on a barn conversion, we are living in the midst of rather a lot of reclaimed material. This means that things in our yard look rather a mess at the moment. But we definitely have plans to reuse as many of the old materials as possible. Above you can see someContinue reading “Planned Reuse on Our Barn Conversion Project”
The Forest Garden in November
The end of November might not be the most photogenic time in the forest garden, but there is still a lot going on. Though many of the leaves are off the trees, and things look a bit scrappy in places, there is still beauty, and also food to be found. A few little heads ofContinue reading “The Forest Garden in November”
Case Study: Looking at Greening the Desert in Somalia
The project is still to determine the exact land area that will be used for the ecosystem restoration camp. But this is a piece of land that is under consideration. This is some preliminary work I have done. The ins and outs of the design obviously require a lot more work. But I thought someContinue reading “Case Study: Looking at Greening the Desert in Somalia”
Home Growing and Personal Growth
Growing your own is not just about providing food for yourself and your family. It can also allow you to grow in a range of ways – some of them rather interesting and perhaps even surprising. Caring for plants and forging a closer connection with the natural world can make you grow as a personContinue reading “Home Growing and Personal Growth”
Uses For Cardboard in the Garden
Many people are buying things online rather than in stores at the moment – for obvious reasons. So it may be that you are finding that you have more cardboard to recycle. Before you put those boxes in the recycling bin, it could be a good idea to think how they might come in handyContinue reading “Uses For Cardboard in the Garden”
Bored With Kale? Here Are Some New Ways To Eat It
Kale is a very useful vegetable to us where we live. It can survive and thrive in my garden and polytunnel all year round. I grow several different varieties, both annual and perennial. And we love it here. Yet many of the people I speak to about kale seem to find that after a while,Continue reading “Bored With Kale? Here Are Some New Ways To Eat It”
Telling the Truth
We all tell lies. We tell them to others. Even more insidiously, we tell them to ourselves. Lying can become so much of a habit that sometimes we might not even recognise that we are doing it. But telling the truth is crucial for sustainability. It is essential when it comes to forming a solidContinue reading “Telling the Truth”
Misconceptions About Permaculture Design
Today, I thought I would take a moment to correct some misconceptions that seem to be common when it comes to permaculture design. Firstly, and most importantly – permaculture is not a ‘cult’. Some people I have encountered mistake the zeal with which people talk about permaculture for some form of indoctrination or even ‘brainwashing’.Continue reading “Misconceptions About Permaculture Design”
Knowing Your Garden
Winter can be a good time to pause, reflect, and observe. It can be a good time to look back on the previous gardening year. And to look forward to the months to come. Whether you are new to gardening, or an old hand, the extra time you may have over the winter could beContinue reading “Knowing Your Garden”
Case Study: Ecosystem Restoration Camp Concept
This is some recent ‘pro-bono’ concept work I have done for an ecosystem restoration camp planned in Somalia. The goal of these images is to provide a rough depiction of how the camp would be established and the area around it slowly re-vegetated and improved over time. This is conceptual work rather than work specificContinue reading “Case Study: Ecosystem Restoration Camp Concept”
Boosting Resilience for 2021
As we move forward and ready ourselves to put 2020 behind us, we should all be putting some thought into what we can do to boost resilience for 2021. Boosting resilience is all about thinking long-term. It’s about thinking of small but significant changes we can make to help us feel more in control, andContinue reading “Boosting Resilience for 2021”
Don’t Buy Into ‘Black Friday’
The constant pressures of consumerism just keep getting worse and worse. This year, it seems we don’t just have “Black Friday’ to contend with, we have ‘Black Friday week’. I understand that many businesses have it bad, but we have to recognise that a healthy and happy society does not have to involve endless consumerismContinue reading “Don’t Buy Into ‘Black Friday’”
Elaeagnus in a Forest Garden
I am soon going to be taking hardwood cuttings of some of the Elaeagnus in my forest garden. While Elaeagnus varieties can be invasive in certain regions (of North America, for example) I find that they can be very valuable additions to polyculture planting schemes in a range of settings. In my gradually evolving forestContinue reading “Elaeagnus in a Forest Garden”
Fruit-Infused Alcohols
If you are interested in food preservation then there are plenty of interesting activities to enjoy at this time of the year. When you think of preservation, it is most likely that your mind will turn first to freezing, canning and dehydration. But another interesting thing to consider is making fruit infused alcohols. Infusing alcoholicContinue reading “Fruit-Infused Alcohols”
Sustainable Christmas Trees?
Following on from my previous article, it’s time to take a look at Christmas trees from a sustainability perspective. Should you get a Christmas tree and, if so, which is the most sustainable type? Should you get a real tree or an artificial one? The truth is, unfortunately, that both artificial and cut Christmas treesContinue reading “Sustainable Christmas Trees?”
Natural Christmas Decorations For a Zero Waste Home
It may still feel too early to be talking about this. But this year, many people are choosing to begin decorating their homes for Christmas earlier than usual. It has been a difficult year for many. And a number of households are trying to bring back some cheer with holiday decorations. Whether you are thinkingContinue reading “Natural Christmas Decorations For a Zero Waste Home”
Case Study: Alabama Permaculture Design
This is a quick design for a domestic backyard in Alabama. The site slopes downwards towards the east, and the client asked for a design that would allow them to make the most of the site and grow their own fruit and vegetables. The swales in this design are paired with hugelkultur techniques. And IContinue reading “Case Study: Alabama Permaculture Design”
Why Grow (and Buy) Organic?
Today, I thought I would focus on why it is so important to grow (and buy) organic. In order to answer this question, we need to look at the problems inherent in modern food producing systems. Unfortunately, the cost of organic produce compared to non-organic options often means that the decision often comes down toContinue reading “Why Grow (and Buy) Organic?”
Start Your Own Organic Garden – 12 Week Course
Due to recent enquiries, I will be starting a 12 week email correspondence course ‘Start Your Own Organic Garden’. This is a simple, practical course designed to help beginners move to the point where they are ready to start their own organic food producing garden in the spring. The course will run from January 4thContinue reading “Start Your Own Organic Garden – 12 Week Course”
DIY Garden Projects To Take on Over Winter
As autumn progresses and colder weather arrives, there might not be quite as much work to do in your garden on plant care. So you might have the luxury of a little more time to spend on other DIY garden projects. I thought that today, I would suggest a few DIY garden projects that youContinue reading “DIY Garden Projects To Take on Over Winter”
Edible Ornamentals and Ornamental Edibles
Many gardeners compartmentalise in their heads. They put edible crops into one category, and ornamental, flowering plants in another. But there can actually be a lot of overlap between these two categories. In a permaculture garden, we integrate don’t segregate. We grow plenty of flowers as companion plants in our polyculture vegetable beds. We considerContinue reading “Edible Ornamentals and Ornamental Edibles”
Windowsill Growing Over Winter
Even if you do not have a garden, there is still plenty you can grow at home. Even when you do have a garden it can be pleasant to have some things growing on a windowsill inside your home – so you can harvest a quick crop in poor weather conditions without even having toContinue reading “Windowsill Growing Over Winter”
Building Forest Garden Guilds
In a forest garden, the goal when choosing different plants is to build guilds of beneficial plants which aid one another and us in a range of ways. If you are familiar with the idea of a forest garden, you will already know that they involve layered planting. The top layer are the canopy trees.Continue reading “Building Forest Garden Guilds”
Case Study: Angola Field System
This design is for a plot along the Kikuxi irrigation canal in the Luanda region of Angola. The client requested a plan that would allow the site to be used for the production of a range of organic fruits and vegetables. The site lies on 75m above sea level The prevailing climate in Luanda isContinue reading “Case Study: Angola Field System”
The Benefits of a Mixed Hedgerow
Hedgerows are a common feature of UK landscapes, but less familiar in other regions. There is a huge difference between a wild and diverse hedgerow and the mono-crop hedges that are more common in suburban and urban settings. There are a huge range of reasons why incorporating mixed hedgerows in agricultural or garden settings isContinue reading “The Benefits of a Mixed Hedgerow”
Identifying Flows and Pathways
Patterns are important in permaculture. Whether we are talking about landscapes, gardens, homes, communities or broader societal systems, it is important to look at patterns in the big picture. Of course, there is an important permaculture principle that we design from patterns to details. We take a holistic, big-picture view before we delve into theContinue reading “Identifying Flows and Pathways”
Embracing Uncertainty
As a permaculture designer, I am often asked to bring order to ideas, and come up with plans designed to keep chaos at bay. By implementing the principles of permaculture design, we can bring a certain order to systems and make sure that they meet the central ethics and sore ideals of the movement. ButContinue reading “Embracing Uncertainty”
Vote With Permaculture Ethics in Mind
Obviously I am not in the US. I am Scottish and live in Scotland. But today, as US citizens who have not already cast their votes head to the polls. I am minded to make mention of something that is very important to me personally, and to us all. Often, we get mired down inContinue reading “Vote With Permaculture Ethics in Mind”
The Amazing World of Earth Worms
Often, we forget just what a teeming world exists below the soil in our gardens. No matter what sort of gardens we have, we are aided in our efforts by a wide range of creatures. Earth worms are one of our most valuable garden helpers. But they are a humble creature that we often overlook.Continue reading “The Amazing World of Earth Worms”
Connect and Thrive
Everything in nature is connected. While we, as humans, often have a tendency to compartmentalise, permaculture involves seeing everything holistically. We must understand the connections between elements in every system, and use and value diversity. We must recognise natural interactions and use them to our advantage. When we connect – both to other people andContinue reading “Connect and Thrive”
Case Study: Terraced Site
This plan is for a domestic property in Port Townsend, Washington. The Site The property is in USDA planting zone 8b. The frost-free period is typically 225-250 days. The area typically has lower precipitation than is usual for the state. There are typically around 21 inches per year of rainfall, and 2.1 inches of snow.Continue reading “Case Study: Terraced Site”
Planting for Soil Stabilisation on a Slope
Yesterday, I mentioned swales and terracing for water control. These landscape features often used in permaculture design manage water flow. By preventing water run-off, they can also aid in reducing erosion. But in addition to these earthworks, soil stabilisation on a slope also involves thinking carefully about planting. In permaculture, earthworks and planting cannot beContinue reading “Planting for Soil Stabilisation on a Slope”
Managing Water Flow in Permaculture Design
In permaculture, one of the basic design principles is use and value renewable resources. One of the most vital natural resources we have is fresh water. Permaculture approaches to all facets of life must take into account the pathways of fresh water. Those designing sustainable landscapes and food producing systems must think about how freshContinue reading “Managing Water Flow in Permaculture Design”
Tips for an Existing Community Garden
Inspired by a recent outreach, I thought I would take some time to talk a little about community gardens. Community gardens are a wonderful thing. Whether they are on public land, brown field sites, local authority spaces, school playgrounds, beside a church, or other community space, they can make a big difference in a community.Continue reading “Tips for an Existing Community Garden”
Ecosystem Restoration and Community Development Must Go Hand in Hand
I’ve been working on an ongoing project in Somalia, and this has led me to think a lot about the fact that, all too often, efforts in conservation and ecosystem restoration are divorced from efforts in the social and economic spheres. We often talk about the fact that economic sustainability involves looking at the environmentalContinue reading “Ecosystem Restoration and Community Development Must Go Hand in Hand”
Passive Solar Design – Protecting Plants in Winter
Passive solar design is an important strategy in designing an undercover growing area, as well as a home. It can help you create an area where you can successfully grow crops all year round. A greenhouse can dramatically extend the length of your growing season. It can also make it possible for you to growContinue reading “Passive Solar Design – Protecting Plants in Winter”
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