guildfordcycads

Hey guys, I’m looking at houses right now and wanted to throw a vegetable garden in the back yard. I just saw one I really liked BUT the homeowner mentioned that they had big weed problems in the backyard until they started hiring someone to come by once a year and put down “some kind of fertilizer” that seemed to stop them all from coming up. I’m worried this is probably a pretty harsh herbicide that could be in the soil and get in the way of the garden. Do you know if there’s any way to remediate something like this? Would it be safe to dig out a section and put in some hugelkulture beds? Could I throw in some super deep raised beds to create a standoff between whatever those chemicals are and our root zone? Or would I have to worry about whatever those chemicals are leeching through the soil either way? I’m working right now on getting a list of what’s actually been put on the lawn, will update later if I’m able to get my hands on that!

Does anybody know what might be going on here? I can’t seem to find good information on Heartnut diseases or issues.

The issues seem to be primarily on leaves inside the tree tube and on leaves have some damage from insects.

Hi folks,

We’re looking for someone kind, trustworthy, and genuinely interested in farming to take over use of our family’s preserved farmland in Monmouth County, NJ.

The property is about 40 acres near Colts Neck High School. It’s been in our family for generations—once a flower farm, later used for brickmaking and vegetables, and most recently for hay and corn. I originally posted about this 8 months ago but wasn’t able to follow up due to the holidays and the sudden passing of my father. Since then, it’s been even harder for my mom, my brother, and me to keep up with the land. We all have full-time jobs and limited flexibility.

The farm is protected under the NJ Farmland Preservation Program, so it must remain in agricultural use. But for us, this is about finding someone who will care for the land and help us carry it forward.

What We’re Offering

This is not a job listing, and we’re not asking for free labor.

We will charge you no rent, and no payment will be accepted. This is an opportunity to farm the land for free under a symbolic lease (likely $1/year) and a simple agreement to keep things official with the state.

You’d be responsible for basic bookkeeping (simple profit/loss tracking), but there’s no requirement to turn a profit or form a business—the land is already part of an LLC.

What’s Available Now

We’d love to start with an approximately 10-acre hayfield behind the house as a 2–5 year trial. It’s beginning to turn and has some milkweed that would need to be managed (especially if you’re growing feed or bedding). If things go well, we’re open to expanding your access and exploring new ideas together.

What the Land Supports

• Hay, rye, corn, alfalfa, vegetables
• No animals (at least not for the trial run)
• No new structures, but we can explore converting existing barns or sheds down the line
• Temporary housing (camper or van) is permitted if movable
• Electric and running water available at several points (no septic system)

Other Features

• Man-made irrigation pond (deep enough for swimming)
• Large, fenced vegetable garden
• Existing bee colonies—and room for more
• Old equipment (tractors, seeders, etc.) currently being repaired—you’re also welcome to bring your own

We’re simply looking for someone who will respect the land, be a good neighbor, and help us keep this place alive.

If this sounds like something you—or someone you know—might be interested in, please DM me.

I’m available to meet the weekend of August 2nd to walk the property and introduce you to my mom. I may ask for a social media or LinkedIn profile just to confirm you’re a real person.

Thanks so much for reading.

— KE

x-posted

Hello everyone,

I’d really be interested to hear about any permaculture projects you’ve been involved in that were particularly challenging. The challenges could be anything: climate, resources, legal, etc.

It would be really cool to have them here so we could discuss and show appreciation 🙂

Photos and videos would be nice!

I thought about when I re-watched Geoff Lawton’s “Re-Greening the Desert”.
It was truly remarkable.

Thank you all

Hey, we’re hoping to turn our little corner of the world (125m2) from lawn to a permaculture haven over the next few years. Hardiness zone 9, North UK.

We’ve read a bunch and come up with the following plan for our land. I’d appreciate alternative viewpoints and opinions before we plan to plant our fruit trees this winter.

The land:

• 100m2 main area

  • medium slope from north to south
  • Tall (3m) hedges and mature trees to E and S
  • 1m tall fence on neighbours boundary to N
  • North half gets full sun
  • South half gets partial sun/shade
  • Relitavely wind sheltered
  • Ground feels quite hard and dry, hedges potentially taking a lot of water out the lawn.

• Small 13m2 central area

  • Fine lawn
  • Flat
  • Full sun

• Small 8m2 western area

  • Full shade
  • Flat

The plan:

• 100m2 area -Two zones
  • Zone 1 kitchen garden section in the north half, with a 8′ x 12′ polytunnel, three 4′ x 6′ raised beds and one 2.5′ x 8′ raised bed with a trellis against the fence
  • Zone 2 mini orchard in the South half. Plan to plant 4 x fruit trees on dwarfing M26 rootstocks. Plan to eventually house a chicken coop at the very bottom, with the whole orchard zone being fenced off to act as a free range area. The slope of the garden should mean that the trees don’t obscure the sun into the Northern half, which is the sunnier part of the garden anyway.

-13m2 area – No plans as of yet, open to opionions – likely suitable for some narrow raised beds

-western 8m2 area – Compost area. – Annoyingly far away from veg zone but the full shade means that it’s the best place for it to maximise growing space imo

Other plans: IBCs as water storage. Small wildlife pond near polytunnel

Questions:

Should we get a bigger polytunnel? Everyone always says this but I think any bigger would take over the garden.

Opinions on getting ducks instead of chickens? Do we have enough roaming space for ducks?

What layout/use would you suggest for the small 13m2 area?

Thanks in advance

People who live on SC how is life over there ? I want to buy land close to the Air Force base and USDA offices to start a small farm (5 acres) how is the agriculture life over there and the crime ?

As the title says, how is it in the places I’m debating where to buy property what I care about the most is being able to own a farm in one of these

Hello, I started hydroculture in June and here are my first plants. I think it’s going well for the moment 🙏🙂