I have been a little remiss in updating case studies to this site recently, but this is not because nothing has been going on but rather because there has been so much! Finding time to share what I have been doing has been a challenge, but I do still want to make sure that IContinue reading “Case Study: Scottish Forest Garden”
Tag Archives: food forest
Blending Human Requirements and Nature’s Needs
Designs for home gardens and community sites must take into account, of course, the needs of the natural world around us. But they should also meet human needs. Often, it can seem as though these are conflicting. Though at the root, of course, these are one and the same. At the heart of it all,Continue reading “Blending Human Requirements and Nature’s Needs”
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”
Low Maintenance Garden Design
Many people are worried about starting a food producing garden because they worry that they do not have the time. But even when you don’t have much time to tend a garden, it is still important to remember that you can still grow plenty of food. Low maintenance gardens can certainly still be both beautifulContinue reading “Low Maintenance Garden Design”
What City Parks Could and Should Be
City parks can often be green lungs for their settlements. They can be important spaces for recreation, and provide a place to connect with nature in an urban jungle. But unfortunately, looking around the world, it is clear that many city parks are not meeting their full potential. Many are unfortunately dominated by paved areas,Continue reading “What City Parks Could and Should Be”
Using Unripe Windfall Apples From the Garden
Fruit trees are self-regulating. The ‘June drop’ is a tree’s natural way of ridding itself of excess fruits it cannot support. Where I live, here in Scotland, the ‘June drop’ actually usually occurs some time in July. Some new gardeners are alarmed to see unripe fruits. littering the ground below their trees. But not onlyContinue reading “Using Unripe Windfall Apples From the Garden”
Rethinking How We Grow & What We Grow
Rethinking how and what we grow is about growing our own at home or in community spaces, and choosing fresh, organic, local, seasonal wholefoods. But that is not all. It also involves thinking more deeply about our society’s food producing systems, and which foods are most sustainably grown in our bioregions, using which methods. TheContinue reading “Rethinking How We Grow & What We Grow”
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”
The Benefits of Forest Gardening
Forest gardening is one of my specialities. I have turned a mature garden on my own property into a forest garden, and design forest gardens for others around the world. Many people are starting new gardens right now. When most people get started, they tend to focus on creating a traditional vegetable patch or kitchenContinue reading “The Benefits of Forest Gardening”