Articles

I’m becoming interested in taking a permaculture workshop or intensive. To learn, experience, and eventually be able to put the skills to work.

Are there specific areas around the world that are known for permaculture schools? I’ve heard it’s big in Australia. Is it contradictory to go somewhere that has a different type of landscape than where your home is?

Note… I’m from the Midwest area, USA. I know you don’t have to go far from home to learn, it’s also for the travel experience 🙂

Hi Everyone,

I decided to expand my garden much later into the season than intended and am looking for advice. I live in zone 7b and today tilled a 45x 45 plot just to break up the sod. I don’t plan on tilling the space ever again. I’m going to add some compost and manure but im worried about the amount of weed seeds that have been brought to the surface. I have a large amount of wood chips from chip drop, and I’m wondering— could I put this on top to suppress the grass seeds? Im hoping to plant some seedlings I’ve started indoors as soon as possible. Any advice on getting this soil ready for planting would be appreciated! Thank you!

Back with my second post of the day!

I’d like some info on good stewardship of vernal pools. I have what I’ve been calling a “puddle” on my property that I’ve been planning to address.

Today I learned it has a better name- a vernal pool.

I’d like to protect this as much as I can but I’ve already screwed up, using my excavator to clear brush away from our future “seasonal pond”.

I do need to dig it out a bit (I think). I’ve taken a few scoops out but I’ve refrained because there are some native wetland grasses growing on one of the edges and I don’t want to kill them. The main “pool” area is about 10×20 feet, around 2’ deep. However, when it really rains this puddle grows to around 100×100’. My plan was to dig it a bit deeper once it dries up in a month or so, which would reduce the amount space this water spreads out. I also intend on shaping the land and creating swales to divert natural run off, which in theory should keep it more full for longer periods of time.

Overall my goal is to preserve this area as much as possible, while still addressing the water problem.

Any thoughts or words of advice?

Hello! I study permaculture and love taking care of plants but I have no land currently. I’ve been keeping plants in pots, but I wanted to work with the three sisters. I do a no till method, with homemade soil that uses no animal parts etc. I use to be a landscaper and know how to keep that stuff looking nice. I know this is a stretch but I was wondering if anyone had any abandoned land or anything for me to plant a few corn plants? I would keep it neat and leave no trace the next year. Just let me know, thank you!

Hello everyone

I’m looking for ideas to solve some drainage issues.

The super easy solution is some French drains with plastic and fabric. I am doing my best to avoid using plastic and fabric, but I also recognize it’s a necessary evil sometimes.

I’ve tried doing some googling and can’t seem to find much for “plastic free French drains” or anything suitable for what I’m dealing with. I could create some temporary drainage ditches with drain rock but I know the dirt would wash into it and clog things up pretty quick.

These are not good spots for swales as I need the ground to be flush/level.

What kind of solutions have you found?

Thanks!!

I am looking for permaculture farms in Costa Rica to stay at for the summer. Specifically, I am looking for those that are at higher elevations to be a bit cooler in temperature and hopefully be shielded by some rain. Do you know any like these that you can recommend? I would love to help out and learn while I am there. Muchos gracias

Hello! I’m planning to turn this patch of land – approx 1000 sq feet on 6 acres – into something like a food forest. I’m struggling with mapping out where to start planting perennials – any tips on making those decisions, especially for larger immovable things like fruit trees? Obviously light and space considerations, but would love to hear thought processes on placing things.

For reference, this photo is facing south. The trees in this photo are mostly black walnut bordering a dirt road. To the west are some old apple trees – kind of a wild variety, not exactly crab apples but not particularly edible and there will eventually be a driveway. To the east, the border of the land. Just north of this spot is a fenced in small scale flower farm with both annuals and perennials.

My goals are to increase wildlife diversity and have food to eat fresh and store.