Diversity is important not only when it comes to the types, but also the varieties of the produce and other plants we grow. Choosing heritage of heirloom varieties helps retain genetic diversity. It helps in safeguarding traditional varietals for future generations and in retaining variety in our food supplies. When choosing fruit trees for aContinue reading “Choosing Heritage Fruit Tree Varieties”
Tag Archives: permaculture
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”
What is a Sustainable Business?
Whether you are running your own, thinking about setting up in business, or choosing from whom to buy, it is important to think about what sustainable business really means. Sustainability is about creating something that endures. But more than this, it is about thinking of the planet, and of future generations, in every decision thatContinue reading “What is a Sustainable Business?”
Case Study: Kin Domain Community
Following on from last week’s case study, here is some more detail from my design for a series on kin domains or family homesteads in Jamaica. The goal for each individual kin domain is to provide for the basic needs of a family over the generations, while avoiding harm to the wider world. However, whileContinue reading “Case Study: Kin Domain Community”
Contagion – Spreading Sustainable Ideas
Waking up today to news that President Trump has coronavirus, I began to think about contagion. Of course, this is something we have all been forced to think about more in the last months. Faced with a virus that spreads so easily, we all have to think about the responsibility we have to prevent spread.Continue reading “Contagion – Spreading Sustainable Ideas”
Case Study: Sustainable Community of Kin Domains, Jamaica
The image above is part of a permaculture plan for a retreat of around 20 acres, and a further 30 acres divided into 15 two acre kin domains or family homesteads. A sustainable project in Hanover county in Jamaica. Designed to protect, restore and nourish people and planet on this 58 acre site. The siteContinue reading “Case Study: Sustainable Community of Kin Domains, Jamaica”
The Role of ‘Duty’ in Sustainability
The word ‘duty’ is often viewed as having negative connotations. It is often held in opposition to the ideas of personal freedom. Sometimes, people view it as an encumbrance – something that limits our potential and makes it more challenging to do what we want to do. But ‘duty’ is a concept that deserves toContinue reading “The Role of ‘Duty’ in Sustainability”
Case Study: Colourful Polyculture Design
This simple design for a series of garden beds was created for a client in London, who wished to amend and accentuate an existing planting scheme with more edible and colourful plants. Particularly, the client wished to add colourful foliage, with plenty of different vegetation to brighten up the green and year-round interest. Often, weContinue reading “Case Study: Colourful Polyculture Design”
Propagating Plants in a Permaculture Garden
At this time of year, saving seeds is often an important job. By saving our own seeds from our gardens, we can save money and, over time, create strains of certain species better suited for growing in our own particular gardens. Thinking about how we can increase our plant stocks is essential in planning inContinue reading “Propagating Plants in a Permaculture Garden”
Managing Risk – Creating Anti-Fragile Systems
Whether we are talking about businesses, communities or individual homes – risk is a big part of life. In these difficult times, risk is ever-present. We might not all be aware of it all the time, but we are all managing risk on a daily basis. Every time we take a decision about whether weContinue reading “Managing Risk – Creating Anti-Fragile Systems”
EWSP Consultancy 