The Permaculture Project Day 1-2 (Pond, Keyway, Diversion Drain)
See the first two days of my permaculture project where we start the pond, keyway, and dig a drain to help feed the pond. By the way if everyone looks hot in the video, it is because it was 90 degrees...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Build an Earthen Pond Part 2
The dam wall is up and compacted, now it is time to shape the bowl. It is important that you have no steeper than a 3 to 1 grade on the inside of the dam wall. The shore line can be 2 to 1, but I would...
View ArticleThe Permaculture Project Days 3-5 (Pond, Swale, Drain)
See our continued progress on the pond, swale, and drainage.
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Build an Earthen Pond Part 3
Now that everything is compacted and ready for water, we can get the detail work done. Continued from part 2 13. Dress your outside walls and the freeboard with the topsoil you have been saving....
View ArticleThe Permaculture Project Day 6 & 7 (Pond, Keyway, Swales)
See our continued progress on the pond, keyway, and swales.
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Build Swales 2.0 (New and Improved)
The swales I built last year were done with a mini-excavator. I dug 2 foot wide trenches about 18 inches deep on contour, and then placed the material downslope in a berm. I then proceeded to fill the...
View ArticleHow to Build Swales 2.0 (New & Improved) Video
See exactly how to build a large 12 foot wide swale system. I even give instruction on how to use the excavator.
View ArticleThe Permaculture Project Days 11-13 (Bentonite, Pond, Spillway, Swales)
See how we applied and rototilled the bentonite into the pond bowl. Also, see swales, the spillway, and more pond progress. Incidentally, you will see me track rolling the pond to compact with the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Build a Food Forest 2.0
A food forest is exactly what it sounds like, a forest that has food producing plants growing throughout. This does not mean all the plants in the forest produce food but at least some do. In fact it...
View ArticleThe Permaculture Project Days 14-16 (Food Forest, Pond, Berms, Timber Forest)
See the completed pond and food forest. See how I routed water off my driveway into my swales, and see a zone 4 timber area.
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Build a Timber Forest Area
I have installed two areas that I would consider my timber forest area and my zone 4. I originally planned for three areas, but I decided against making a timber area in front of the pond as I already...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Intro to Permaculture
Permaculture is literally permanent culture. It started out literally as permanent agriculture, but it is now being applied to other areas besides agriculture. Bill Mollison wrote, “Permaculture is the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Weeds as Soil Indicators
The types of “weeds” that grow seemingly spontaneously in your garden are telling you valuable information about your soil and microclimate if you care to listen. There are certain “weeds” that appear...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Patterns of Design in Permaculture
Permaculture design works to copy many patterns and shapes that occur in nature. This tends to enhance energy flow or slow it down, depending on the needs of the inhabitants. This also adds diversity...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Swales (Surveying & Installation)
Swales are simply ditches on contour (contour is a level line across the landscape), with the excavated soil from the ditch being placed downslope to form a berm. The purpose is to rehydrate...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Nitrogen Fixing Trees, Shrubs, and Ground Covers
For those of you into permaculture, you know the importance of nitrogen fixing plants. These plants, especially when pruned release nitrogen into the soil, helping to boost fertility to the plants...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Please Stop the Lawn Care!
Americans spend about 40 billion dollars per year on lawn care. Why do people devote all that time, effort, and money? The Origin of the Grass Lawn I have read accounts of the first lawn being at the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Rocks & Stone in the Garden
Rocks & stone can be a great addition to a garden or an orchard. Most gardeners will take the rocks out of their garden, but many times that is a mistake. In “Sepp Holzer’s Permaculture”, Sepp...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bamboo (Multifunctional Permaculture Plant)
Bamboo is actually a member of the grass family. There are over 1000 types of bamboo worldwide. Some grow as tall as 100 feet, and others only a few inches. Many do well in the tropics, but some can...
View Article