Contemporary farming faces a huge range of challenges. The urgent need to protect the soil, decarbonise, reduce pollution in all its forms, protect the wildlife on which we depend, adapt to our changing climate, and create more resilient agricultural systems means that radical solutions are required. Agroforestry provides many of the sustainable solutions we seek.Continue reading “An Introduction to Agroforestry”
Author Archives: Elizabeth Waddington
What is Permaculture? Ethics, Principles and Practices for a Better Future
In an era marked by ecological crisis, climate emergency, and growing inequality, more and more people are searching for systems that heal rather than harm. Permaculture is one such system—a holistic, regenerative design philosophy that offers practical solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time. So what is permaculture? At its heart,Continue reading “What is Permaculture? Ethics, Principles and Practices for a Better Future”
Cerritos, California Garden Design
Cerritos has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Average annual precipitation is about 12–14 inches, most falling November–March. The soil conditions are characterised by good drainage, modest natural fertility. There is a need for irrigation in summer, and occasional soil amendments (of organic matter) to boost water-holding capacity andContinue reading “Cerritos, California Garden Design”
Setting SMARTER Goals for 2026
Happy New Year! Back to work and ready to go, I am excited to work on more permaculture projects over the year to come. From home gardens to farms, community projects to regenerative rewilding schemes, I am excited to discover more amazing people, places, and projects over the coming months. This is a time ofContinue reading “Setting SMARTER Goals for 2026”
Portugal Permaculture Design
This case study outlines my comprehensive permaculture plan for a riverside property close to Coimbra, in Portugal. The design aims to regenerate degraded areas, enhance food security, diversify land use, and create a resilient, ecologically rich landscape that supports both productive agriculture and long-term environmental stewardship. The project site features gently sloping terrain running downContinue reading “Portugal Permaculture Design”
Oregon Urban Permaculture Garden Design
The image above shows my design for a relatively small city garden in Oregon. At present, the area is neglected, with a small yard outside the back door of the property to the south of the space, and a scrubby, overgrown slope, gentle at first then becoming much steeper, up to a fence at theContinue reading “Oregon Urban Permaculture Garden Design”
Surrey Garden Design – Permaculture Design for a Wildlife-friendly Space
For many gardeners, it is a priority to welcome local wildlife into the space. The clients in this case were no exception, as the primary goal for the garden design shown above was to create a space that was as wildlife-friendly as possible. Food production was a secondary though also important goal. The clients appreciateContinue reading “Surrey Garden Design – Permaculture Design for a Wildlife-friendly Space”
Southwestern Australia Agroforestry Design
The design above is my initial concept plan for a property in the Margaret River Region of Southwestern Australia. The Margaret River region in South-West Western Australia has a mild, maritime-moderated Mediterranean climate, defined by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Summer temperatures are warm but rarely extreme due to constant ocean influence, whileContinue reading “Southwestern Australia Agroforestry Design”
Sustainable Garden Redesign in Chesterfield, Derbyshire
This plan shows my proposal for a redesign of the garden, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. Though the current garden is productive, with plenty of annual crops and some other plants growing successfully at present, the goals included developing a plan for the replacement of degraded concrete paths and driveway, and increasing permanent perennial planting forContinue reading “Sustainable Garden Redesign in Chesterfield, Derbyshire”
Family Garden Design – Al Ain, UAE
This is my design for a family-garden close to the Al Ain Oasis. Al Ain lies in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi Emirate, approximately 340 metres above sea level. The area experiences a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh) with very high solar radiation, low annual rainfall, and high evaporation rates. Summers are extremely hot,Continue reading “Family Garden Design – Al Ain, UAE”
EWSP Consultancy 