Successful gardening is as much about chemistry as botany. Soil chemistry, for example, has an enormous influence on plant health. Have you ever wondered how soil pH affects the growth of your plants? You might also be wondering how to raise your soil pH to a better level using only organic soil amendments. If so,…
Domesticated animals are a common sight in permaculture systems. But is it possible to practice permaculture without animals? Fortunately, the answer is an emphatic ‘yes’! Permaculture systems can be designed and managed without domesticated animals. Plant-based strategies can fulfill the same functions usually performed by animals in permaculture systems, including processing organic wastes, providing soil…
Call me Frugal or maybe a tightwad, whichever I don't care but the truth is I hate to spend money unnecessarily. This is the reason I decided to fix up my 1991 Chevy Truck with over 300,000 miles on it rather than buy a newer truck. The 1991 Chevy Beater before I fixed it up…
l go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. John Burroughs Time spent in nature is never time wasted. Sitting in a tree stand on a hunt, a simple walk in the woods, sitting under a shade tree by a lake, an ocean view from a beach,…
Using natural organic methods sounds idyllic, learning to work with nature rather than fight against it. Yes, cohabiting with deer, squirrels, and aphids means accepting that some food will have bites in it and the occasional plant destroyed. But it is fine––until the mosquitoes arrive. Those bloodsuckers make life so uncomfortable you begin rethinking your…
Living off-grid is a noble goal. Choosing technologies and equipment to achieve this can feel a little bit like jumping off a cliff with no rope or safety net below. This article will assist you in making informed choices regarding the most efficient and affordable solar panels. Efficiency, cost, appearance & durability are used to…
The public perception is that food grown organically is much healthier, and organic farming is more environmentally friendly. Organic agriculture differs significantly from conventional agriculture, which brings both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages of organic farming are it is labor-intensive, sensitive to economic decline, requires more planning, and can’t benefit from synthetic chemicals. The advantages…
Agroforestry and permaculture are distinct but complementary approaches. These approaches aim to create sustainable relations between people and nature. Though closely related, agroforestry and permaculture are not the same. Agroforestry is a specific agricultural approach that combines trees with perennial and annual plants and livestock to create synergistic, integrated production zones. Permaculture is principally a…
Water is by far the most valuable resource in a Permaculture Garden. There are no gardens, no grazing, no trees, and hence no sustainability on any farm or homestead if there is no water. Harvesting, diverting, storing, and reusing as much water as possible is usually emphasized in permaculture design, whether above or below ground…
Some people are envious of homesteaders living the dream. All they see are beautiful sunsets, cute chicks, ducklings, and calves. Other folks wrinkle their foreheads in horror, their nostrils somehow seem to curl, and they gasp in sympathy, disbelief, and confusion at the poor deranged individuals who choose to be homesteaders. So what is the…
So, you’ve adopted the philosophy of permaculture and are working with nature in the management of your homestead. You thoughtfully observe what’s happening on the land and see how everything works together to be self-sustaining. Well, what could be more natural than urine, right? Urine can be used in permaculture as a nitrogen boost for…
Harvesting fresh greens in the heart of winter, or anytime really, right from your kitchen, is a wonderful feeling. Growing microgreens is an easy and productive way to have a kitchen (permaculture zone zero) garden. While there are a few ways to grow microgreens in your kitchen, I have found the best way is by…
