The topics of Permaculture design are applicable to a wide variety of homesteading builds. Permaculture design thinking is efficient and is meant to mimic natural ecosystems. However, Permaculture can be an intimidating topic to tackle, knowing that short courses in permaculture are meant to last a minimum of 72 hours. Zoning is one of those… [read more]
How to Start an Affordable Greenhouse for $200
For the purposes of this article, I will define a greenhouse as a standalone structure built for the purpose of growing plants. While there are multiple types of greenhouse, the one I would like to describe in this article is also variously referred to as a hoophouse or as a poly-tunnel, depending on who you… [read more]
Sheet Mulching 101
Sheet mulching is a simple way to begin a garden bed on top of soil, grass, or weeds. It is inexpensive, simple to build, and usable in a wide variety of situations. Sheet mulching means to grow plants, seedlings, and seeds in multiple, ordered layers of different soil and plant material, all stacked on top… [read more]
Building Composting Toilets for Beginners
This article will explain and feature the composting toilet, an eco-friendly and permaculture-compliant alternative to flush toilets. Different settings of composting toilets will be compared, and both advantages and limitations discussed. Composting toilets are almost certainly an ancient technology that predates literate society. The simplest composting toilet design possible may involve a hole in the… [read more]
Hügelkultur for the Permaculture Plot
In this article, we will discuss the old-fashioned technique of hügelkultur building on the homestead scale. Hügelkultur is a German word that translates directly to ‘hill culture’, which means growing plants on a mixed mound of decaying wood, plants and soil. The mound is typically built directly on to the ground, which effectively creates a… [read more]
Herb Spirals 101
Have you ever seen an herb spiral, or thought of building one for yourself? If so, then this is the article for you. An herb spiral is a garden fixture shaped into a spiral. It is similar to a garden bed, but winds around itself. The soil is typically sloped evenly from lowest at the… [read more]
Rainwater Harvesting for Permacultures
Would you like your garden to harvest rainwater efficiently? Would you like to have a garden that is not only flood-proof, but drought-proof too, not to mention that it costs much less to irrigate? If so, then this article will introduce some techniques for making these wishes a reality. You may be surprised to hear… [read more]