This is part of a new series of blog posts for beginner gardeners. These posts may be a little shorter and more specific in nature. Most of my recent blog articles have been “how-to” posts, how to grow food on a balcony, how to start a three sisters garden, how to…you
It’s hard to believe it’s almost October, my favorite time of year. The days are warm and clear and dry, the nights are cool, and so far we’re not getting too much wildfire smoke. It’s a great time for work in the garden and kitchen! Here are some things you can do:
Some of these things can be done in September, and sometimes they get done in October, or even later, depending on where you live as well as what the weather has been like. So don't panic! Focus on one thing per day if necessary. 1.Check your winter squashes! Most
If you’re thinking of raising chickens, one important thing to consider is how to keep them comfortable on hot days as well as cold days. We’ve had some hot weather during the last five or so years, but we haven’t lost a single bird to heat, even when it got to
What can you do to make your garden more sustainable? If you search the internet, you’ll find all sorts of answers, and this may seem confusing, but there are some basic practices that are easy to understand and implement. In Permaculture we talk about reducing inputs and waste, and this is
Every summer I travel to Northwest Montana, first to play viola in the Montana Baroque Festival at Quinn’s Hot Springs in Paradise (yes, the town really does bear that name!), and then to visit my other home, the log house by the lake in which my mother learned to swim, a few miles from
My mother graced us with enormous creativity and talent. She sang in and directed operas, taught young singers how to act and direct, wrote a book about how to teach opera, and decorated her home with paintings she made and mosaic tables she assembled. She loved vibrant colors everywhere, and huge vases full of
How Do Plants Support Each Other in a Permaculture Tree Guild? Identifying the layers of tree guild plants is just the first step in designing a Permaculture tree guild. The second step, identifying the role that each plant plays, is just as important. Let’s examine the various functions that each plant can fulfill.
What is a Tree Guild in a Permaculture Garden, and why have one? If you’re looking for a way to get the maximum yield out of a small permaculture garden space, a tree guild permaculture design is a great way to start. What is a Tree Guild? A tree guild is a group
If you’re looking for a way to get the maximum yield out of a small permaculture garden space, a tree guild permaculture design is a great way to start. What is a Tree Guild? A tree guild is a group of plants placed around a primary food producing species, such as an apple tree,
