Permaculture Garden Design – Tailored, Whole-Site Planning

Is Permaculture Garden Design the Right Choice for You?

Permaculture garden design is bespoke design tailored specifically for your site and goals. Unlike other types of landscape design, it moves beyond the basics of practicality and aesthetics. This is for those who want truly thoughtful designs, not generic layouts.

It is design that takes ecological functionality into account, and works to create spaces that allow people to meet their own needs, and fit harmoniously alongside the more-than-human world. If you want to garden organically, for wildlife, for humanity and for our planet, this type of regenerative design is the best choice.

Whether your top priority is to grow your own food, or just beautiful flowers, whether you want a tranquil haven, a fun-filled space to entertain, or a child-friendly, family garden, getting a remote permaculture design can help you to set goals and head out in the right direction.

If you are a new gardener feeling overwhelmed, an experienced gardener looking to learn, or just want to avoid costly trial and error, professional design support can make a significant difference. This service suits all those who have some space to garden, no matter how much experience they have and how large or small that area may be.

What a Design Provides

Bespoke designs are tailored to specific projects, clients and goals but would usually include:

• An initial concept plan – big-picture layout, planting zones and elements including:
  • Earthworks/ water management features
  • Access/ paving/ pathways
  • Structures & boundaries
  • Key features for recreation/ enjoyment of the outside space
  • Planting zones including perennial and annual growing areas as required/ desired
• A full planting plan, plant list, and report with further detail of elements mentioned in the concept plan.
  • Scaled plans for placement of plants within key planting zones utilising native and climate-suited plants, carefully considered to meet client preferences and goals.
  • Practical details for any earthworks/ levels/ materials/ irrigation etc… and notes to aid implementation of key ideas within the concept plan.
  • Phasing suggestions for gradual implementation.

The aim is to give you a usable, coherent plan, rooted in reality, that can be used in implementation, not just a decorative illustration.

The Remote Design Process

I work remotely with clients worldwide. The process typically involves:

1. Initial enquiry
   You outline your site, goals, and constraints. This may involve completing the questionnaire or arranging an introductory call if preferred.
2. Site analysis
   I assess maps, climate data, photographs, and any existing plans or information provided by the client and develop a quotation.
3. Design development
   Once a 50% deposit is paid, a tailored concept plan for the garden is created based on a client’s priorities and the specific conditions on the site in question.
4. Review & refinement
   I request feedback from the client on the concept plan, and the design is adjusted where needed.
5. Planting Plans, Report, and Delivery
   Once the concept plan is agreed, I will work from the concept to develop full planting plans, a plant list, and a report with further detail about elements of the design. The client receives the final design materials and guidance for implementation.

Remote design allows for careful analysis and flexibility, without the cost and logistics of site visits. I can also offer ongoing support/ consultancy as a project is implemented.

Examples of Permaculture Garden Projects

I’ve produced hundreds of garden design concepts across different climates and contexts, including:

• Small urban gardens and suburban gardens.
• Larger rural residential plots and multi-home residential sites.
• Family-friendly and wildlife-friendly garden designs.
• Early-stage gardens and mature sites requiring re-organisation and re-design.
• Gardens to meet specific needs for food production etc… and more aesthetics-focussed projects.

Many clients have found it helpful to browse examples similar to their own site before getting in touch. Use the search bar to find common permaculture garden terms, or specific locations. See a garden like yours? Start a design enquiry to get your own tailored plan.

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  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”
• 
  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”
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  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”
• 
  Washington State – Low-Maintenance & Drought-Tolerant Garden Design
  This is my design for the garden of a rental property on a former lake-bed in the municipality of Moses Lake, in Grant County, Washington. The priority for the client was creating a low-maintenance garden for current tenants to enjoy without making too large an investment. At present, the yard is near-barren silty sand withContinue reading “Washington State – Low-Maintenance & Drought-Tolerant Garden Design”
• 
  Texas Permaculture Design
  The design above is one that I created as an initial concept design for a client located in USDA Zone 8b, in Texas. The property is in a part of Texas which is a transition zone, where fertile prairie soils gradually shift to sandy, oak-dominated uplands. It is located at the intersection of the TexasContinue reading “Texas Permaculture Design”
• 
  New Build Garden Design, England
  The above image shows my concept design for the garden of a new-build home near Coventry, in England. The client had some specific requirements relating to features that they desired, but was open to suggestions for a wildlife-friendly and relatively low-maintenance space. Human Spaces that Welcome Elements of the More-Than-Human World This is a designContinue reading “New Build Garden Design, England”
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  Southern Ontario – Permaculture Garden Design for Prince Edward County
  Another design that I worked on earlier this year, this permaculture garden design was created for a client in Prince Edward County in Southern Ontario, Canada. This part of Ontario, located in Prince Edward County, has a humid continental climate with warm summers, cold winters, and notable influences from Lake Ontario that moderate temperature extremesContinue reading “Southern Ontario – Permaculture Garden Design for Prince Edward County”
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  Off-grid Irish Homestead Design
  It has been a while since I have added new designs to this website – but it has been a busy summer, and autumn so far has kept me very busy too – both in work and on my own property. But now that our bumper apple harvest processing period is coming to an end,Continue reading “Off-grid Irish Homestead Design”
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  Reuse and Upcycling in a City Garden
  You don’t need to have a massive budget or a large space to create a beautiful and productive garden. My designs often incorporate materials that my clients already have on hand – and I am an advocate of making use of what you already have before you even think about buying anything new. This recentContinue reading “Reuse and Upcycling in a City Garden”
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  Growing Food Indoors & Undercover
  As a garden designer, I have worked with clients to grow food in an amazing range of situations. Typical gardens are not the only option for food cultivation. There are so many other places where food can be grown – from polytunnels or greenhouses, to rooftops, balconies, or interior spaces in homes, restaurants, offices, businessContinue reading “Growing Food Indoors & Undercover”
• 
  Maine Permaculture Design: Sustainable Food Production & Ecosystem Restoration
  This is my design for a property of approximately 2 – 2.5 acres in Maine, USDA zone 5a. Like many of my designs, the starting point for this project was the desire of the property owners to increase the amount of food that they grow for themselves and their neighbours. They were also excited toContinue reading “Maine Permaculture Design: Sustainable Food Production & Ecosystem Restoration”
• 
  London Landscape Design – Sustainable Design for a Steeply Sloping Family Garden
  This design aims to make the most of this sloping site in South East London, while creating a biodiverse, ecologically complex, beautiful and productive family space. The design aims to incorporate plenty of wildlife-friendly and child-friendly features while also ensuring effective and efficient water management and diverse food production for a resilient and sustainable wayContinue reading “London Landscape Design – Sustainable Design for a Steeply Sloping Family Garden”
• 
  Iowa Permaculture Design – Food Production & Restoration
  This plan for a property in Iowa aims to provide relatively low-maintenance but highly productive food producing habitat for humans, and wildlife, including deer as an additional wild food source. It aims to boost biodiversity and improve the health of natural ecosystems on the site. The site is within an ecoregion where a mosaic ofContinue reading “Iowa Permaculture Design – Food Production & Restoration”
• 
  California Permaculture Design: Drought-tolerant, Ecoregional Permaculture Landscape Design
  This concept design for a property in Livermore, California aims to provide plans for the creation of a beautiful, regenerative landscape that provides for many of the needs of the family who live here while also catering for wildlife and ecological health and improving the biodiversity of the site. Ecoregional Design Within the Livermore HillsContinue reading “California Permaculture Design: Drought-tolerant, Ecoregional Permaculture Landscape Design”
• 
  Wildlife-friendly Landscape Design for a Long, Narrow Garden in Pennsylvania
  Many gardeners feel challenged by the length and width of their gardens. Having a long, narrow garden is a common complaint. I’ve worked on a number of designs for gardens like this over the years. Like any garden, long, thin spaces have both their advantages and disadvantages – with permaculture design – with the rightContinue reading “Wildlife-friendly Landscape Design for a Long, Narrow Garden in Pennsylvania”
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  Ireland Permaculture Project – Eco-friendly and Family-Friendly Landscape Design
  This design, which I worked on towards the end of last year, aims to provide a pleasing recreational space where wildlife is welcomed throughout the seasons, and where predominantly native planting is used to give aesthetic appeal, as well as some edible yields. The design significantly boosts biodiversity on the property, while also dividing theContinue reading “Ireland Permaculture Project – Eco-friendly and Family-Friendly Landscape Design”
• 
  Colorado Permaculture Design: Mountain Garden Design
  Perched high in the mountains, this Colorado homestead in the case study concept plan above has some truly stunning views. But the owners were unsure where to start when developing plans for their steeply sloping site. They wanted to make sure that they could use the land for recreation and for food production, while alsoContinue reading “Colorado Permaculture Design: Mountain Garden Design”
• 
  Coastal Foraging Garden Design: Balancing Aesthetics and Edible Yields
  Coastal gardens can often be challenging, with strong, salt-laden winds and perhaps very light and sandy soils. This fairly small coastal garden in Eastern Scotland is currently an under-used space, an area of grass south of a coastal cottage, with a coastal path running along low, craggy cliffs on its southern side. The Typical ChallengesContinue reading “Coastal Foraging Garden Design: Balancing Aesthetics and Edible Yields”
• 
  Permaculture Design for a Wildlife-Friendly Scottish Garden
  You do not have to have a massive garden to make a big difference for local wildlife. This is my design for a garden in West Lothian, in Scotland’s ‘Central Belt’. The client approached me because they wanted to turn the lawned, boggy area next to their new-build home into a wildlife haven for theirContinue reading “Permaculture Design for a Wildlife-Friendly Scottish Garden”
• 
  Virginia Permaculture Design: Native Plants, Forest Garden, Mandala Garden
  This is a garden design for the ridge and valley ecoregion of Virginia, incorporating plenty of native plant species and primarily aims to: This concept design, for which I have also delivered a full planting plan, incorporates a wide range of plants native to the eco-region, within a range of different ecosystem types. Alongside someContinue reading “Virginia Permaculture Design: Native Plants, Forest Garden, Mandala Garden”
• 
  Native Plant Family Garden Design in Hawthorne, California
  This is the first part of my design for a family in Hawthorne, California, a part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. I am currently working on the planting plans for each of the areas shown on this plan and am close to completing the more detailed design. In this design, family-life is central. TheContinue reading “Native Plant Family Garden Design in Hawthorne, California”
• 
  Case Study: Washington DC Permaculture Plan
  In this case study for a family garden in Washington DC, water takes centre stage. Craving an aquatic idyll, the clients requested a garden with a waterfall, lazy river and natural swimming pool, taking advantage of a natural depression in the back yard. A native plant-filled rain garden completes the watery picture – keeping waterContinue reading “Case Study: Washington DC Permaculture Plan”
• 
  Case Study: Utah Permaculture Design
  The above design is my initial concept plan for a client in Utah. One of the primary goals for this design was to manage water wisely on the property, catching and storing as much as possible from the retained hillside to the north, as well as from the home itself. The design aims to preventContinue reading “Case Study: Utah Permaculture Design”
• 
  Case Study: Yorkshire Garden Design
  Working with small and somewhat awkwardly shaped garden spaces is a challenge for many gardeners. But with the right designs we can overcome all the difficulties that can arise and create attractive and functional spaces. Yorkshire Permaculture Design This design for a property near the coast of North Yorkshire, in England, works with existing featuresContinue reading “Case Study: Yorkshire Garden Design”
• 
  Case Study: Vermont Permaculture Design
  This case study shows my design for a steeply sloping site in rural Vermont, completed late last year. The design was created for a husband who wished to surprise his wife with a design for their new property as a Christmas gift. The couple fell in love with the rural property, with its great views lookingContinue reading “Case Study: Vermont Permaculture Design”
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  Case Study: Scottish Permaculture Garden
  This is a domestic garden design for a client in eastern Scotland. The key design goals with this project were to create a space for nature-connection, with plenty of space for human recreation and for food production while also providing a sanctuary for local wildlife. The client wanted to incorporate more trees and other plantsContinue reading “Case Study: Scottish Permaculture Garden”
• 
  Case Study: Tranquil Meditation Garden
  This is my design for a property in Ireland for a client who wanted a really relaxing space. food production was a priority but so too was creating a space where she and her grown-up daughters could really breathe, meditate and unwind. Aside from the trees to the north/ north west, the edge of aContinue reading “Case Study: Tranquil Meditation Garden”
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  Case Study: SE England Wildlife Garden
  This is my design for a garden of approximately 28 x 28m (784 sq m) in South Eastern England. The garden is currently mostly laid to lawn, with a marked slope upwards to the northern end. It is surrounded by a fairly low natural stone wall that has crumbled down in a couple of places,Continue reading “Case Study: SE England Wildlife Garden”
• 
  Case Study: Eastern Kansas Permaculture Plan
  This case study shows my concept design for a small property on a lot of a little under 170 sq m, in eastern Kansas, at the fringes of the central forest-grasslands transition ecotone, where the eastern forests meet the great plains. The client has just moved into the property in question and wants to turnContinue reading “Case Study: Eastern Kansas Permaculture Plan”
• Case Study: Family-Fun Garden
  This design shows a garden for a family in USDA Zone 7, Virginia, who want to make the most of their space to enjoy time together before the oldest children leave home, with space to incorporate the interests of family members of a range of different ages, while also growing more food and other resourcesContinue reading “Case Study: Family-Fun Garden”
• 
  Case Study: Water-Wise California Garden
  Water-wise gardening is crucial wherever you live. But is especially important, of course, in regions where water-shortage is a particularly pressing issue. This concept design for a garden in California shows that xeriscaping – or water-wise planting – does not always have to involve vast expanses of paving and gravel and spiky cacti and succulents.Continue reading “Case Study: Water-Wise California Garden”
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  Case Study: Maryland Permaculture
  This design shows the expansion of existing vegetable growing areas and productive spaces into the existing lawn of a Maryland property. It has been developed with reference to the location and site, and the client’s requirements, using permaculture design methods. Located in the Coastal Plain region, almost entirely dependent on groundwater for its water supply,Continue reading “Case Study: Maryland Permaculture”
• 
  Case Study: Sloping Garden Design
  This is a design for a sloping back garden in northern England. The site slopes steeply down from north to south, from the back of the home to the lower end. There is around 2.2m difference in elevation between the highest point outside the back door, to the lowest point close to the end ofContinue reading “Case Study: Sloping Garden Design”
• 
  Case Study: Healing Garden
  Many of us turn to our gardens when we are in need of healing – in physical body or in mind. In this case study, we see a garden where healing is the main purpose – the primary goal was to create a wildlife friendly space where the client could move around easily, and feelContinue reading “Case Study: Healing Garden”
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  Case Study: Terraced Forest Garden Permaculture Design
  This case study shows the preliminary concept design for a challenging garden with extreme slope in south western England. Existing retaining walls on a steep slope to the north and north east of the existing home are failing, insufficient and in poor repair. There are concerns that damage could occur to the home. Existing plantingContinue reading “Case Study: Terraced Forest Garden Permaculture Design”
• 
  Case Study: Cape Town, South Africa Permaculture Design
  This is a quick overall concept plan I have created for a small suburban property of c. 495 sq m (mostly built on) in Cape Town, South Africa. Of course, this does not include all the planting detail, but serves to show the overall intention and as a point for feedback and discussion before moreContinue reading “Case Study: Cape Town, South Africa Permaculture Design”
• 
  Case Study: Connecticut Permaculture Design
  This is a design for the garden of a family home in Connecticut, USDA zone 6. The goal was to create a design which maximised food production while also giving visual beauty, benefit to local wildlife, zones for recreation, and plenty of space for children to play. This garden is for a family of seven,Continue reading “Case Study: Connecticut Permaculture Design”
• 
  Case Study: Senegal
  This is a design for a small property in Nguerigne, Senegal. This is a property of around 2,400 sq m, currently almost entirely bare and exposed except for one baobab tree. It is level, sandy and dry. This region is close to the intersection between the Sahel, and the West Sudanian savannah – in anContinue reading “Case Study: Senegal”
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  Case Study: Child-Friendly Garden Design
  This design was for a small garden in southern England, for a client who not only has her own children but also works as a childminder. The garden, therefore, needed to be rationalised and laid out better, so that it would work well for the family themselves, their chickens, their dog, and for all theContinue reading “Case Study: Child-Friendly Garden Design”
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  Case Study: Oregon Permaculture Garden Design
  This overview concept design is for a garden in the Pacific Northwest, around Eugene, Oregon. The garden is towards the south of the Willamette Valley, between the Coastal Range and the West Cascades, in zone 8b. The client was looking for a design that would allow them to grow as much food as possible, withContinue reading “Case Study: Oregon Permaculture Garden Design”
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  Case Study: Eco Build Garden
  This case study demonstrates a garden plot around a planned eco build on the south coast of England. The design aims to ensure visual amenity and appeal while maximising food production and making best use of resources on this small site. The site is approximately 250 sq m in size, located between farm fields andContinue reading “Case Study: Eco Build Garden”
• 
  Case Study: Arizona Permaculture
  This recent case study for Arizona takes me to a climate and environment very different to my own. The major challenges tackled in this design relate of course to water, and intense summer heat. My design seeks to work with the existing, while offering solutions for all the family who live here’s requirements and desires.Continue reading “Case Study: Arizona Permaculture”
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  Case Study: Tennessee Permaculture
  This example shows some recent work for a garden in Tennessee. This is in zone 7a, with a frost free period of 190 to 200 days, mean annual air temperature of 57-61 degrees F, and 46-60 inches annual precipitation. The predominant soil of this area is a silt loam, free draining and moderately acidic. OneContinue reading “Case Study: Tennessee Permaculture”
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  Case Study: South Carolina Permaculture Plan
  This is a recent concept design for a property in South Carolina, where the needs of a family of three and their dogs must be met. This garden in USDA hardiness zone 7b slopes down very slightly from the south west to north east, with a slightly more pronounced slope down from the front ofContinue reading “Case Study: South Carolina Permaculture Plan”
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  Case Study: Aiming for Self-Sufficiency
  This is a design for a smallholding for a couple with this fairly modest piece of land in SE Scotland who are aiming for as much self-sufficiency as possible. The couple already grows some fruits and vegetables but wished to create a design which would allow them to increase their resilience and self-reliance. The coupleContinue reading “Case Study: Aiming for Self-Sufficiency”
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  Case Study: Malaysia Permaculture Concept Plan
  This is a concept plan that I have just created for a family in Malaysia. I am still working on some of the details with the client, and have yet to complete the full planting plans, but this concept design gives an overview of the diverse uses to which the area will be put. TheContinue reading “Case Study: Malaysia Permaculture Concept Plan”
• 
  Case Study: Maximalist City Garden
  The inside of the client’s home is a riot of colour and pattern, with something different to look at everywhere you turn. The client has their home exactly how they want it – as fodder for their creativity and inspiration for their artistry. But they struggled to determine how to translate their preferred aesthetic intoContinue reading “Case Study: Maximalist City Garden”
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  Case Study: Healing, Herbal Perennial Garden
  This is the concept design for a domestic forest garden and herbal garden for a ‘wise woman’ in Northern England. The client approached me to come up with a design which would provide as many perennial food sources and as many culinary and healing herbs as possible. She plans to set up a workshop atContinue reading “Case Study: Healing, Herbal Perennial Garden”
• Case Study: Wisconsin Permaculture Design
  This Wisconsin property, in Juneau County, is in USDA zone 5. It has largely Boone-Tarr soils, c. 6-15 percent slopes, some with high runoff and excessive drainage. Mean annual precipitation is 28 to 33 inches. Mean annual air temperature: 46 to 52 degrees F. Frost-free period: 135 to 160 days. Most of the property isContinue reading “Case Study: Wisconsin Permaculture Design”
• 
  Case Study: Subtropical Australia Permaculture Garden
  This higher level concept plan is for a garden in greater Brisbane, Australia. The clients were keen to develop a plan that would allow them to make the most of their garden – currently mostly laid to lawn. They wanted a lush and tropical feel and a space that they could use for recreation –Continue reading “Case Study: Subtropical Australia Permaculture Garden”
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  Case Study: Walled Garden Forest Garden Design
  This is a small portion of my design for the larger Mediterranean site, for which I earlier shared the overall concept plan. This is the concept for the renovation of the existing (but dilapidated) walled garden on the property. (just under 1 acre in size) The goal is to turn the overgrown and neglected spaceContinue reading “Case Study: Walled Garden Forest Garden Design”
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  Case Study: Belgium Permaculture Garden
  This is my concept plan for a garden in Belgium (USDA. Hardiness Zone 8a). Details were given to the client for each of the main planting zones, with plant suggestions and an implementation plan. This design aims to suggest a planting plan for the garden which will make the space as attractive and abundant asContinue reading “Case Study: Belgium Permaculture Garden”
• 
  Case Study: Artist’s Garden
  This case study shows a design for a back garden in Scotland. The client is an artist of many talents, and wanted a garden that could provide for her needs while delighting all the senses. The garden is around 20m x 45m, oriented almost North-South. Of course, I also delivered more comprehensive planting plans, butContinue reading “Case Study: Artist’s Garden”
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  Case Study – Rain Garden
  This is an example of water management in a small front garden in England. The garden is currently a scrubby area of lawn, with an old driveway and a few overgrown shrubs around the edge. The primary goal for the design was to prevent a small issue with water-logging to the side of the driveway,Continue reading “Case Study – Rain Garden”
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  Case Study: California Permaculture Design
  The site is in Livermore, California, on the eastern edge of San Francisco Bay Area. It is a two acre plot, which is planned to house and provide for a family of four. The surrounding land is to be leased to a vineyard, so the surrounding area will ultimately be surrounded by vines. The designContinue reading “Case Study: California Permaculture Design”
• 
  Case Study: Formal French Potager Style Garden
  I think there is an impression that in a permaculture garden, nothing can be straight or orderly. But in this design which I created for a client in Idaho who wanted a more formal and neat design, you can see that earth-friendly design and methodologies can be implemented in different styles. In the notes providedContinue reading “Case Study: Formal French Potager Style Garden”
• 
  Case Study: Small Yard Food Production
  This plan aims to show how food can be grown in this small space for a family of three, with minimal effort for maximum yield. The plan includes a range of small space garden solutions, and incorporates plenty of perennial plants in addition to space for annual fruit and vegetable cultivation. Thought was given toContinue reading “Case Study: Small Yard Food Production”
• 
  Case Study: Virginia Permaculture Design
  In this case study, you can see my design for a domestic garden in Dayton, Virginia. Dayton is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. This is the broad concept plan and planting outline for the design. Further to this, I also provided the client with detailed planting plans for each of the main areas, and suggestedContinue reading “Case Study: Virginia Permaculture Design”
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  Case Study: Perennial Tea Garden
  Above are some details provided for a client as part of a design for their property – a largely densely wooded property in Georgia. The focus regions for this design were the forest garden, perennial tea garden, and a sloped area to the south of the main vegetable beds area.  This is a portion ofContinue reading “Case Study: Perennial Tea Garden”
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  Case Study: Riparian Planting and Forest Garden
  This plan is for a proposed eco-friendly architectural development in England. The proposed architectural plan seeks to minimise visual intrusion, and integrate a new home within the existing environment. This plan aims to show how landscaping on the site will further serve to integrate the natural and built environment, while also improving ecological benefit andContinue reading “Case Study: Riparian Planting and Forest Garden”
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  Case Study: Family Garden Planting Plan
  This is a portion of a recent project in Georgia, US, that might be of interest to some other home gardeners. This was a suggested design for polyculture beds to maximise productivity in an area of approximately 60 x 30ft. The goal was to produce plenty of annual/biennial crops in addition to cut flowers forContinue reading “Case Study: Family Garden Planting Plan”
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  Case Study: Ecuador Permaculture Plan
  This plan is for a (largely) self-sufficient farm in the Carchi Province in the north of Ecuador. The site is around 13.3 acres (53879.50 m2), and is situated in the Mira Canton at an elevation of between 2200 and 2215m. The site is currently used to grow corn, and large greenhouses are used to growContinue reading “Case Study: Ecuador Permaculture Plan”
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  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”
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  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”
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  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”
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  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”
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  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”
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  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”
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  Case Study: Washington Garden
  The site is a domestic garden in the state of Washington. The property currently has a cabin, and several mature trees, which will be retained. Though is largely grassy, open and relatively exposed. There are plans for future construction – initially a garage and apartment, and car port. In the longer term future, there areContinue reading “Case Study: Washington Garden”
• Case Study: Florida Permaculture Design
  The plan above is for a site of approximately 3 acres in Baker, Florida. The site is in USDA planting zone 8, and experiences mean annual air temperature of 55-70 degrees F, and mean annual rainfall of 40-69 inches. Average summer highs are around 91.4 degrees, and average winter lows are around 39.2 degrees F.Continue reading “Case Study: Florida Permaculture Design”
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  Case Study: Massachusetts Garden Design
  Located in Massachusetts, this is a plan for a domestic garden. The site is largely level, laid largely to lawn at present, with many mature trees around the property boundary. Many of the existing trees can be retained, though I recommended establishing better under-storey planting utilising a range of useful native plants.  The property isContinue reading “Case Study: Massachusetts Garden Design”
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  Case Study: Small Garden With Raised Beds
  The image and simple planting plan above is part of an example permaculture scheme for a small domestic garden in England. The client requested that a lawn area be kept, so that it can be used for placing a trampoline for kids to use. But wanted to improve the garden and grow as some typicalContinue reading “Case Study: Small Garden With Raised Beds”
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  Case Study: California Permaculture Design
  This permaculture plan is for a property located in North Ridge in the San Fernando Valley, LA. The goal was to create a sleek and modern garden which could also provide plenty of edible produce without requiring excessive amounts of gardening work. The Site The garden is broadly typical for the area and climate zone.Continue reading “Case Study: California Permaculture Design”
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  Case Study: Indianapolis Permaculture Design
  The plan above is for a large domestic garden in Indianapolis. According to permaculture principles, it has been designed with the site and location in mind. Site The design of course takes into account the local climate and conditions, and the soil of the area, which is typically in the inceptisols order, and the SycamoreContinue reading “Case Study: Indianapolis Permaculture Design”
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  Case Study: Small Space Container Garden
  What is you only have a small paved area to play with? Can you still garden when you have a very limited budget and don’t even have access to an area of soil? Permaculture provides solutions even for rather unpromising sites. The image above is a case study that demonstrates how we can make theContinue reading “Case Study: Small Space Container Garden”
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  Case Study: Losing the Lawn To Create a More Abundant, Productive Garden
  In this case study, I want to share with you part of a design I created for one homeowner who wanted to overhaul her long, lawn-covered garden. It is designed to provide a restful and reasonably low maintenance space, which can be enjoyed by the family, and yet will allow for plenty of food production. Continue reading “Case Study: Losing the Lawn To Create a More Abundant, Productive Garden”
• Case Study: Desert Ecosystem Restoration
  This case study is a project I am currently working on in Somalia. This site is located just south west of Garowe, in Puntland, north-eastern Somalia. The region has a hot desert climate, with hot to very hot temperatures (average highs of 29-41 degrees) year round and an annual average precipitation of just 133mm. InContinue reading “Case Study: Desert Ecosystem Restoration”
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  Case Study: Tropical Garden
  The image above shows part of a permaculture design for a riverside plot in India, with an approximate location for a new home, with a natural swimming pool. A path leads down between fruit trees and a forest garden to a seating area and polyculture vegetable beds situated near the riverside end of the property. Continue reading “Case Study: Tropical Garden”
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  Case Study: Sensory Garden For a Community Garden in Wales
  This week, I want to highlight an element of a garden design that could be beneficial for those who are looking for a little calm and tranquillity in our current, often chaotic and worrying times. Above, you can see a sensory garden. This large raised bed garden was part of a community garden design inContinue reading “Case Study: Sensory Garden For a Community Garden in Wales”
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  Case Study: Kansas Garden
  I won’t share full details of my permaculture designs on this site. But I do want to give an occasional glimpse into the varied work that I do for gardeners and growers around the world. This case study is an example of one part of a permaculture design I completed for a client in Kansas. Continue reading “Case Study: Kansas Garden”

This service provides remote permaculture garden design for private landowners seeking practical, site-specific planning. Projects range from small gardens to larger residential plots, across a wide range of climates and locations.