guildfordcycads

My family owns 9 acres of land on the central coast of California. There are 8 different hoop houses that have been neglected since the previous owners were using them to grow flower decades ago. Everthing has gone wild with native plants everywhere but Iceplant has taken over everything in between. What’s the best way to eliminate it without ruining the soil?

I also have concerns over the soil being contaminated because we are about 3 miles away from the Vistra energy facility that recently caught fire. Any suggestions on how to remediate that as well? *Our immediate neighbor had surface samples taken and it was confirmed that there are extremely elevated levels of colbalt, manganese, nickel and to a lesser extent lithium. Wondering what I can plant to help extract these elements from the soil. If any. We may be completely f’d but I’m hopeful.

Black Locust Coppicing, Part 7

Edit – I had all kinds of text and pictures but I’m horrible at Reddit and the only thing to post is a link, trying to fix it

This was from last year – I coppiced the stands and let it lay for a year before processing. Fungus grew on the bark and tender twigs within a year of laying so I think the brush piles could be used for hugelkultur fill even with the reputation for rot resistance. My estimate from seedling planting to ‘full’ production of a Black Locust coppice in this style would be 15-20 years which I think for tree products is actually very good. This project is on year 9 currently, and last year’s firewood equivalents are:

Plot A – 0.36 cords/acre

Plot C – 0.56 cords/acre

Other plots had not reached harvestable status last year, but will be this year and I will be posting on that soon enough.

Plot A

Plot C

Some trees setting seed

Wood ear fungus

Permaculture Enthusiasts!

I’m excited to share something that could really change the way we approach gardening, food production, and sustainability at home. It’s called the Right to Grow Food Act, and it’s a bill that I’ve been working on to help remove the legal barriers that prevent homeowners and renters from growing food in their own yards.

We all know how restrictive certain Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and local governments can be when it comes to growing edible plants – many places restrict replacing lawns with vegetable gardens, or even prohibit certain types of gardening altogether. The Right to Grow Food Act will help fix that by making sure these restrictions are removed, giving us the freedom to grow food on our own property without interference from HOAs, local municipalities, or restrictive covenants.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what the bill aims to do:
🌱 Remove Restrictions: No more HOA or local government bans on growing food in your yard.
🌱 Homeowners’ Right to Replace Lawns: You can swap your lawn for a vegetable garden or edible plants – with no worries about breaking the rules!
🌱 Weed Control: Local authorities can still manage noxious weeds to keep things safe and healthy, but your garden won’t be hindered by unnecessary regulations.
🌱 No New Taxes or Federal Funding: The bill doesn’t involve any new government spending or taxes – it’s all about removing existing barriers.

Why does this matter?
👉 It gives people more control over their food sources and encourages sustainability.
👉 It helps communities become more resilient in the face of supply chain disruptions.
👉 It promotes healthy eating, local food production, and more self-sufficiency.

Here’s how YOU can help make this a reality:

1. Contact your Senator and Representative: Your voice is crucial in getting this bill into the right hands! Reach out to your senators and congressmen, and let them know you want them to sponsor and support the Right to Grow Food Act. A simple email or phone call can make a big difference.
2. Share the Bill: Spread the word! If you care about local food production and sustainability, let your neighbors, friends, and family know about this bill. The more people who contact their representatives, the more momentum we can build.

The permaculture community has always been at the forefront of building a better, more sustainable world. By supporting the Right to Grow Food Act, we can create more space for people to grow food and regenerate the land, all while making our communities stronger and more self-reliant.

Together, we can make it easier for everyone to grow their own food right at home!

HERE IS A FULL COPY OF THE RIGHT TO GROW FOOD ACT:

Title of Bill:

The Right to Grow Food Act

Section 1: Purpose

To encourage and enable homeowners and communities to use residential properties, including yards and vacant lots, for food production, by removing prohibitive restrictions from cities, homeowner associations (HOAs), and covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). This act allows for the replacement of lawns with well-maintained garden systems while ensuring appropriate local oversight for noxious weed control.

Section 2: Removal of Barriers to Food Production

1. Prohibition of Local Restrictions: No city, county, municipality, or homeowner association (HOA) shall impose any restrictions or regulations on the use of residential or commercial property that prevent or unreasonably limit the growing of edible plants, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other food crops, on that property.
2. Homeowner’s Right to Replace Lawns with Gardens: Homeowners and renters may remove lawns or ornamental grass from their properties and replace them with well-maintained garden systems for the purpose of growing food. Homeowners shall be allowed to maintain such gardens without interference from HOAs, municipalities, or CC&Rs, provided the gardens are kept in a well-maintained state.
3. Local Oversight of Noxious Weeds: Cities, municipalities, HOAs, and CC&Rs may enforce measures to control noxious weeds as designated by the local Department of Agriculture or its equivalent. Noxious weeds shall be defined and regulated at the local level, and local authorities shall ensure that any food-growing activities do not propagate or allow the spread of such weeds.

Section 3: Definitions

1. Well-Maintained Garden Systems: A garden system that is organized, tidy, and designed for growing edible plants in a way that does not create a health or safety hazard to the community, as determined by local codes or ordinances related to hygiene, safety, or public health.
2. Noxious Weeds: Weeds that are harmful to agriculture, horticulture, ecosystems, or the economy, as designated by local or state agricultural authorities.

Section 4: Implementation and Oversight

• This Act shall be implemented and enforced by local jurisdictions (cities, counties, or municipalities) in accordance with local ordinances and state law.
• Local government authorities, including HOAs, shall ensure that no restrictions or regulations impede food production, but may enact reasonable guidelines concerning garden maintenance and the control of noxious weeds.

Section 5: No Federal Funding Required

This bill does not authorize any new federal funds or create any new financial burdens at the federal, state, or local level.

Section 6: Severability

If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

Section 7: Effective Date

This Act shall take effect on the date of enactment.

Summary:

The Right to Grow Food Act removes unnecessary barriers to growing food at home by prohibiting local governments, HOAs, and CC&Rs from restricting food production on residential properties. It also allows homeowners to replace lawns with gardens and establishes a local framework for managing noxious weeds, ensuring that communities can support urban and suburban agriculture without imposing excessive restrictions. Importantly, the bill does not authorize any federal expenditure or create new financial obligations.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES USING THIS COVER LETTER:

Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name],

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to share with you a legislative proposal, The Right to Grow Food Act, which I believe addresses an important need in our communities—particularly as we face ongoing economic challenges and the potential disruptions in global food supply chains.

The Right to Grow Food Act aims to empower homeowners, renters, and local communities by removing restrictive barriers that prevent the use of residential and commercial properties for food production. Specifically, it eliminates unnecessary restrictions imposed by cities, homeowner associations (HOAs), and covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) on growing edible plants. It also ensures that local authorities can manage noxious weeds while allowing individuals the freedom to replace ornamental lawns with productive garden systems.

This bill does not involve any federal funding, making it fiscally responsible and easily implementable at the local level. The primary goal is to reduce reliance on global supply chains, promote food security, and foster environmental sustainability. By encouraging individuals to grow their own food, we can help reduce food insecurity, support local economies, and provide healthier options for communities across the nation.

I kindly ask for your consideration and sponsorship of this proposal and would be grateful for your support in advancing this initiative. I am happy to discuss the bill further and would welcome the opportunity to work together on this important issue.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

I have a little raised brick area by the side of my house that is approximately 28 ft long and is about 8 ft wife (the usable space between the brick wall and the gravel area which is next to my house). Area faces southwest. Are four trees too much for this space? My plan is to have wildflowers and/or cover crops interspersed throughout the open areas. The raised bed is narrow but my plan is to shift my garlic and onions (and/or beets) into this bed. Appreciate any thoughts on this!

Located in 10b