This case study is a small design I recently completed for a garden in Be’er Sheva, Israel, in the Negev Desert. The main challenges of the site are, of course, the low rainfall, and soil salinity. If you too are challenged by a very dry site, saline soil, or other issues, I would be gladContinue reading “Case Study: Israel Permaculture Garden”
Tag Archives: permaculture
Why Gooseberries are One of My Favourite Fruit Bushes
Ribes ulva-crispa, gooseberries, are an excellent fruit bush for my climate and location. They grow prolifically, yield well every year, and are very easy to propagate. (I have expanded my number of plants by taking hardwood cuttings, which have rooted well.) They are native to temperate areas of Europe, and have been cultivated in theContinue reading “Why Gooseberries are One of My Favourite Fruit Bushes”
Vermont Fruit Tree Guilds
I do not usually share details of planting from my designs on this site. But today, I thought I would share a recent project which involved creating fruit tree guilds for an existing orchard. The above image shows my concept for the fruit tree guilds in this orchard, in Bennington, Vermont, in Zone 5a. WorkingContinue reading “Vermont Fruit Tree Guilds”
Beyond the Generic Permaculture Fruit Tree Guild
I have written before on this site and elsewhere about creating fruit tree guilds. And this topic is one of the things I am asked about most frequently. It is also, perhaps, one of the things in permaculture most frequently misunderstood. There is a lot of information out there and unfortunately, much of it canContinue reading “Beyond the Generic Permaculture Fruit Tree Guild”
Using Trap Crops in a Garden
There are many different forms of companion planting which can be beneficial in managing pests in an organic garden. Trap crops are one type of companion plant which can be an important part of integrated pest management. Trap crops are plants which are placed alongside, around or between the plants which you wish to protect.Continue reading “Using Trap Crops in a Garden”
Every Garden Offers Opportunities
Many home buyers look for the holy grail of a sunny, south facing garden. But even when the garden is small and north facing, the space can offer plenty of exciting options. Every garden offers opportunities, no matter how problematic it may at first appear. In permaculture, we always look at the opportunities that aContinue reading “Every Garden Offers Opportunities”
Integrating Housing With Food Production
Following on from yesterday’s post, I thought that today I would briefly outline some of the ways that architects, city planners, growers and permaculture design can come together to rethink how we formulate our built environments and produce food. More joined up thinking is urgently needed – but what exactly does integrating housing with foodContinue reading “Integrating Housing With Food Production”
Permaculture Design: Collaboration With Architects
As a permaculture designer, I often work closely with architects on new build or renovation projects. I feel that it is very important that designing the build environment go hand-in-hand with designing for the surrounding site. Unfortunately, all too often, architects only give cursory consideration to landscaping. Though sustainable architects are expert when it comesContinue reading “Permaculture Design: Collaboration With Architects”
Mulching Potatoes Rather Than Earthing Up With Soil
Traditionally potatoes are of course earthed up as they grow. But as I have experimented here with no dig gardening techniques, I have moved to a system where I mulch around the growing potato plants rather than mounding up the soil around them. I have tried various different organic mulch materials and while my experimentsContinue reading “Mulching Potatoes Rather Than Earthing Up With Soil”
Fruit Tree Guilds
Working out guilds for fruit trees can feel like a complex business. It can be challenging to work out the best combinations of plants if you are trying to establish a new productive garden, improve an existing orchard, or boost the yield of an existing fruit tree. Working out the most beneficial combinations of plantsContinue reading “Fruit Tree Guilds”
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