As gardeners, we are always looking for ways to keep our growing as natural as possible, and part of that is finding ways to improve the soil without using chemical fertilizers. Wood is about as natural a product as you can get, so gardeners with access to wood, wood chips, and sawdust may see this…
For some, red clover might be seen as an invasive weed overgrowing some of their favorite plants and lawn space, while others, particularly homesteaders, might grow this herbal supplement intentionally to take advantage of its medicinal, cover crop and nitrogen fixing properties. A question both of these parties might have then is whether red clover…
Monoculture is one of those practices many people consider one of the most harmful human activities, yet think it will solve the growing need for food. On the other hand, Permaculture is a lesser-known agricultural practice, which many people believe is a great means to address the global environmental crisis. So, what are the differences?…
Bamboos are the easiest to grow on your homestead as they don’t have a lot of requirements. As long as the ground is fertile and the climate is neither too cold nor too hot, you’re good to go. One thing you can be certain about is how fast they grow. There are different species and…
A common gardener's dilemma is how to grow an edible garden in the shade. During my arduous gardening journey, I learned a few cardinal rules to follow if you want to cultivate a productive garden in less-than-ideal circumstances. So, if you find yourself in my shoes, don’t despair, there is an array of beautiful plants…
Completing a hügelkultur bed is a huge undertaking and should be something you are proud of. As you want people to see your new creation, you want it to look pretty and be functional. So what are some plants you can plant in your hügelkultur beds? If you want to plant biennials, go for Black-eyed…
Permaculture homesteads and gardens offer numerous methods for cultivating edible and ornamental plants. Among these, the espalier technique stands out as a unique method for training plants to grow in specific patterns along vertical or horizontal planes. This age-old practice not only enhances garden aesthetics but also maximizes space and productivity. In this post, we'll…
There are many techniques you can use to grow plants and vegetables successfully, and your chosen method will mostly depend on the space you have available for your garden and the conditions you're growing in. So how does hügelkultur work, and is it the right gardening choice for you? Hügelkultur is a permaculture method of…
Growing your own food means that you will always know what you are eating, where the food has come from, and that the produce is toxin-free! These days there are so many ways that you can grow your own produce, from caring for a few small pots on your balcony to running a farm or…
The food forest is a relatively new concept in the United States, and many people think that forests and food forests are the same. So, what is the difference between a forest and a food forest? Food forests are man-made forests that are specifically made to grow food. They have 8 layers and are designed…
Often when I have tried to quickly explain to someone what a swale is a question sometimes gets asked: "what's the difference between a swale and a ditch?" Swales and ditches are similar in a few ways, it is often said about swales that they are ditches on contour. That is true but this fact…
A backyard food forest can be a wonderful long-term addition to any permaculture homestead. However, many avoid starting one because they believe it will take too long to establish and obtain a productive yield. So how long does it take to grow a food forest? For a food forest to reach full maturity at every…
Small yards are not an excuse to not pursue your homesteading dreams. You can do a lot in a small space and in an urban environment. This property tour is about 5 years into our homesteading journey, recorded in 2018, and even though we are several years past this now, it shows the possibilities. Watch…
Aquaculture is the production of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, and algae for food and other purposes. When implemented into a permaculture system a controlled aquaculture system can work to provide benefits for many parts of the design. Some examples would be; fish for food, fish waste for plant nutrients, and…
