Case Study: Scotland Agroforestry

This is the concept plan for a new food producing garden and agroforestry area of approximately 4 acres, on a smallholding of around 7 acres in south west Scotland, where the primary goal is to provide a substantial proportion of the diet of the inhabitants while also generating income through additional yields. As well asContinue reading “Case Study: Scotland Agroforestry”

Case Study: Public Park

This case study shows my design for a new public park in England. The site is currently a large grassy area, used in part as a play area for local school children from an adjacent school to the north but otherwise little used. The goal is to turn this area into an asset for theContinue reading “Case Study: Public Park”

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: Cambodian Project

This month has been a little different to many for me because rather than working on a number of smaller designs, I have predominantly been working on the next stage of the large project in Cambodia which I shared before. Above, you can see a portion of the planting plans for the North Valley areasContinue reading “Case Study: Cambodian Project”

Rewilding On A Range of Scales

When we talk about rewilding, we are often talking about doing so on a landscape scale – over broad areas. Large scale conservation, ecosystem restoration and rewildling are certainly important. But it is also important to consider smaller scale rewilding schemes on individual properties, and even in individual gardens. I’ve had a very busy startContinue reading “Rewilding On A Range of Scales”

Rewilding on a Domestic Scale

Some more ‘traditional’ gardeners who look at parts of my garden may be horrified by the un-manicured state of things, and the wild and natural ‘disorder’. But for me, rewilding on a domestic scale, as well as on a larger scale, is hugely important. We need far fewer neat lawns, of course, and far moreContinue reading “Rewilding on a Domestic Scale”

Ecosystem Restoration – Avoiding Mistakes, Doing No Harm

I recently wrote an article for Treehugger about the Lessons I’ve Learned Through Ecosystem Restoration. In this article, I try to put to rest some of the common misconceptions about ecosystem restoration, and highlight some of the common mistakes that are made. I talk about the vital importance of designing for a specific site, andContinue reading “Ecosystem Restoration – Avoiding Mistakes, Doing No Harm”

Case Study: Tiny Home Agroforestry and Rewilding

When people acquire a piece of land, often, their first thought is to erect a large home on it. But as this interesting project demonstrates, we can live much more lightly on the land. This plot in Scotland comprises almost a hectare (just under 2.5 acres) of marginal land but will accommodate a wooden cabinContinue reading “Case Study: Tiny Home Agroforestry and Rewilding”

A Sustainable Future for Forestry

Mono-crop timber tree plantations certainly aren’t forests. A true forest has biodiversity and is a complex web of life where all the elements within the system work together in a wide range of complex ways. When we hear about ‘sustainable forestry’, all too often, this is sadly a misnomer. Simply replacing sufficient trees after someContinue reading “A Sustainable Future for Forestry”

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”