Using Native Wildflowers in Permaculture Design

Using native wildflowers in permaculture design is common, of course, but how exactly might native flowering plants be incorporated into your plans? Permaculture design can often involve thinking about wild plants would naturally grow in a particular area, and then incorporating those plants in schemes that serve us, as humans, as well as the naturalContinue reading “Using Native Wildflowers in Permaculture 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”

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: 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”

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”

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”

Case Study: Community Garden

This case study (from last month) is a concept for an existing community garden in north eastern Scotland, which wishes to improve the smaller existing space and expand into an adjacent site. The area shown to the west of the site, with the annual beds, currently has a number of raised beds. This design maximisesContinue reading “Case Study: Community Garden”

Case Study: Car Park to Urban Garden

The above is my simple concept sketch for a car park to community garden transformation. This small site is adjacent to a larger food producing community garden, and was the car park for a former hairdressers (now disused). After some prolonged negotiations, the community in this English city neighbourhood have confirmed agreement to break upContinue reading “Case Study: Car Park to Urban Garden”

Case Study: Front Yard Farm

This group of seven front yards in Illinois will soon become a front yard farm, growing a range of produce for the seven households (of 15 people). Seven front yard ‘fields’ will be tended by the farmer, living at lot 3 on the above plan. And his garage will become a hub for the farm’sContinue reading “Case Study: Front Yard Farm”

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”