Permaculture Property Checklist

7/23/2019 Permaculture Property Checklist

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Property Checklist for

Permaculture


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When it comes to designing you permaculture plot, there aremany factors to analyze that will feed into your design. Gaining agood understanding of the factors that impact upon the site isone of the keys to creating a suitable, successful design.

HERE ARE THREE CHECKLISTS OF THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN IT

COMES TO SOME OF THE CENTRAL ELEMENTS OF YOUR PLOT

WATER AIRSOIL

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WATER CHECKLIST

Water is one of the most vital elements to life on earth. As such, it is one of the primaryconsiderations on any permaculture plot. If a site is going to provide bountiful crops for

the permaculture gardener, the interaction between the living elements of the site and

the water that enters and is stored on the site is crucial. Harvesting, storing and utilizing

water as efficiently as possible is therefore a central theme of permaculture design, and

analysing the water inflows and outflows of a site is one of the key elements of anypermaculture design.

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HERE'S A CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO CONSIDER

IN TERMS OF WATER ON ANY PLOT

1What are the inputsof water to the site?

As well as working out how water enters

the site, analyse how it leaves. This will

include:

Looking at surface runoff

How quickly moisture seeps through

the soil (you can then modify the soil toslow or quicken the rate)

How much water the plants on the site

require, then

Devise ways to slow the water leavingas required to meet the needs of

plants, animals and soil health.

Analyzing the water that enters your site

is the first step to understanding your

moisture needs. It also helps you design

for making the most efficient use of that

water.

Research rainfall levels and patterns

for your location

Plot streams and creeks that run

through your plot; and

Look at where condensation forms and

where frost is most likely to settle.

2Where and how doeswater leave the site?


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Slowing the water leaving the site allowsit more time to seep into the soil where it

can be accessed by plant roots. It also

makes the moisture available for longer

to be used for irrigation as necessary.

3How can you slow

water leaving the site? 4Are there areas that are

moister than others?

If you have steep slopes on your site,

building swales will halt the flow of

water off the land, and provide a niche

for planting. The water in a Swale canalso be diverted to other locations via

channels.

Minimizing hard, inorganic surfaces −such as paved footpaths and driveways

− also slows water passage, as does

ensuring soil is not left exposed (when

it can become compacted and cause

water to runoff at a greater rate).

While slowing the runoff of water from thesite is a key component of effective wateruse on a permaculture plot, you also want

to check for areas on the plot where water

collects. This may be from runoff as well

as from niches where frost has a

tendency to form or snow to settle. This

can cause waterlogged soil which you mayneed to modify with organic material or

changes in topography; it may promptplanting and siting of structures to change

the microclimate and so prevent such

moisture accumulation (perhaps by

allowing more direct sun on a location toraise the temperature and prevent frost);

or it may present an opportunity for

planting species that thrive in very moist

conditions, creating a different guild or

niche on you plot.



Rainwater is often overlooked as aresource to be captured and used, but it is

a free source of moisture and can be

crucial in maintaining an ecologically

friendly site. Rainwater harvesting can be:

As simple as placing a barrel under thedown pipe of the guttering on your

home

As integrated as diverting runoff fromall structures on the plot to a largeunderground storage tank.

Look for ways you can prevent

rainwater from leaving the site before

it has been used.

5How can you harvest

and store rainwater?

Water is essential to plant life, providing the medium for the plants to absorb nutrients,

and to effectively photosynthesize. Planning how you will irrigate your crops is an

important element of permaculture design. There are methods to reduce the need for

irrigation, such as mulching, composting and reducing wind erosion, but you will likely

need to water your plants regularly, particularly in the warmer months, which are also

typically the growing season for crops, when they need more water.

6How can you irrigate your crops most effectively?

Drip irrigation directs water to the

roots of the plants where it is mostuseful

But if watering via other means,

irrigate early in the morning or late in

the evening to maximise moisture takeup by plant roots.




Instituting a pond on your site canhave many benefits. It obviously

provides a body of water that can

be used - to a degree - for

irrigation in extreme

circumstances, thus making youmore secure in times of crisis.

However, with the right type of

design and planting, a pond can

bring a great deal to the plot on aday-to-day level.

7Is a pond suitable for

your site?

As a source of fresh water, itwill attract birds,

amphibians and insects,

increasing the biodiversity of

your site, and can be used to

grow aquatic plants and to

raise fish.A sheltered site with some

full sun is a good site for a

pond, avoiding excess

evaporation by the wind and

providing shelter for wildlife.

Designing a pond with a

variety of depths across its

diameter will attract thegreatest number of animal

species as it creates moreniches.



Greywater is the 'waste' water from thebathroom and laundry. It may be possible

to divert this resource for use in irrigating

the garden. Check local ordinances about

such reuse of greywater, and whether the

topography of your site will allow for easeof movement of the water from the home

to the garden. Remember you will need:

9Is greywater use possible?

Use non-toxic organic detergents ifreusing greywater

Fine filters to prevent blocking of pipes

and irrigation delivery mechanisms bylint.

8How can you save

water in the home?

It is not just in the garden that you candesign to use moisture more effectively.

Being more efficient in using water in the

home helps both the preserve this

precious natural resource and save you

money on your household bills. Evensimple steps like turning the tap off while

you brush your teeth and reusing water in

which vegetables have been washed to

irrigate the garden can save a lot of waterover the course of a year. Other methods

of saving water in the home include:

Only putting the washing machine and

dishwasher on when the appliance has

a full load

Taking showers rather than baths, and

Fitting water saving shower heads and

toilet flush mechanisms.



SOIL CHECKLIST

Good soil - one that provides the plants growing in it with the nutrients, moisture andaeration they need to survive and thrive - is key to the success of a permaculture garden.

Analyzing the soil components of your site will enable you to both choose native plants

that are suitable for the soil conditions in your location, and conceive of ways to modify

the soil if necessary to provide a better growing medium for your cultivated plants.

THIS CHECKLIST PROVIDES SOME GUIDELINES ABOUT

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN ANALYZING SOIL.

1How 'heavy' is the soil?

The heaviness of a soil determines how effective it is at retaining water, how well aerated

it is, and how easy it is for plant roots to branch out through it to locate moisture andnutrients. It is also key to the movement of insects and other microorganisms through

the soil, which helps determine its structure.

A soil with a high proportion of clay is a

heavy soil, and it will retain moisture

well but can become waterlogged and

harden in dry weather.A soil with a higher proportion of sand

is lighter, but will let moisture drain

through it quickly, meaning plants may

not be able to access the water.

A loamy soil is one in which the clay

and sand elements are balanced and

is, in general, the best growing

medium.You can feel the soil for an idea of its

heaviness; a clay soil will feel tacky

and smooth, while a sandy soil will feel

rougher and looser.



The heaviness of the soil is onecomponent that determines how well it

retains water.

You ideally want a soil that allows

water to percolate through it (so it

doesn't become waterlogged) but

slowly, so the plants and

microorganisms in the soil have

sufficient time to use it for theirbiological needs.

You can test the soil by digging a hole,

filling the hole with water and timing

how long it takes to drain away.

Adding organic material (such as

compost) to soil is a good way of

maintaining the balance between

percolation and retention.

Humus is the nutrient-rich layer in a healthy soil in which plants grow best. It has lots of

organic material, has a rich, dark colour, and has a structure about halfway between a

sandy and a clay soil.

Humus provides bacteria and other

microorganisms in the soil with the

space and moisture they need to move

through the soil, improving its

structure, and to process nutrients into

forms the plants can take up.

There are, of course, plants that cangrow in soils that do not have much or

any humus, but generally adding

humus will improve the robustness of

your plants' growth.

2How well does the

soil retain moisture?

3Is there a deep layer of humus?



The acidity or alkalinity of the soilwill also affect microorganism

activity and the plants that will

grow best in the soil. The pH level

of the soil indicates the relative

amount of acid and alkalinity.

4What is the soil's

pH level?

You can purchase a pHtesting kit cheaply that

enables you to use litmuspaper to test the soil, in

conjunction with a color

chart that indicates the pH

level on a numbered scale(with lower numbers

indicating greater acidity).

There are plants that can

grow in acid conditions or

alkaline soil, but most prefera soil profile around neutral,

and there are ways to modify

your soil to reach that pH,

such as adding organic lime

to lessen acidity or bonemeal to increase it.



5How can you improve the

nutrient content of the soil?

It is almost always beneficial to yourpermaculture plot to look for ways to

increase the nutrient content of your soil.

This provides an array of minerals,

chemicals and other elements for

bacteria, insects and othermicroorganisms, as well as for the plants

growing in the soil, ensuring they are

healthy and growing.

Adding organic material to the soil,

typically in the form of organic

compost or composted animal manure,

is the primary way of increasing the

soil's nutrient content, and will havethe knock-on effect on improving the

soil structure, helping it get the best

balance for water retention and

aeration, and adding to the humuslayer.

6Should you mulch the soil?

Mulching with organic mulch can be verybeneficial to your garden beds. It provides

a slow release of nutrients into the soil, it

helps retain soil moisture and it helps

prevent drying and erosion by the

elements. However, mulch is not alwaysdesirable, say for instance:

If you have a site that experiences a lot

of high winds which could dislodge themulch material, or

If you have a lot of interplanting thatprovides a lot of plant coverage over

the soil.



7Are there areas of

exposed soil?

In permaculture, we tend to try and avoidleaving areas of soil exposed, without any

plants growing in it.

Not only is exposed soil unproductive it

is also more prone to erosion by windand water (which removes the humus

layer) and subsequently becomes

compacted and dried out by the

elements.If you are not ready to plant crops,consider planting a ground cover crop,

such as comfrey, which will grow

quickly and avoid leaving the soil

exposed, and allow you to cut it and

leave it on the ground to add nutrients

as a "green manure".

The rotation of crops (so that

pathogens that target particular

species do not have time to build up in

the soil), and

Interplanting to increase the

biodiversity of a site, so that healthy

populations of insects and other

animals retain a natural balance

between predators and prey, so no onepopulation becomes too large and

damaging to the crops.

Ensuring that it does not remain exposed for any length of time is one method ofpreserving a healthy soil on your permaculture site, by preventing erosion and

compaction. But even with lots of plants, the soil can still become diseased or infested by

pests, and thus damaging to your crops. There are methods of planting that you can

utilise however that can prevent soil disease. These include:

8How can you plant to best preserve the health of the soil?



AIR CHECKLIST

One of the most important − if least visible − inputs onto a permaculture plot is air. Theway air moves and the qualities it retains or loses as it warms and cools, the effect that

wind has on the plants, animals and structures on a site, and the interaction between air

and soil are all important considerations when analyzing a site you are going to design

for.

HERE IS A CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO LOOK OUT

FOR WHEN ANALYZING AIR INPUTS.

Determining which direction the prevailing winds generally come from in your location

will have a significant impact on your permaculture design. There are general patterns ofwind movement that are determined by the relative temperatures of land and ocean, as

well as the rotation of the planet, but local factors will also play a role.

For instance, topography has a big

impact on the way wind moves through

a location.

Analyzing how the winds plays acrossyour site, at different times of the year,

will be an important factor in your

permaculture design, influencing what

you plant and where.

1Which directions do the winds comes from generally?



Local and regional topography will alsoimpact upon the strength of the winds

that blow across your site. Different types

of plant are able to withstand differing

strengths of wind, so how hard the air

moves across your plot can affect thespecies of plants you cultivate. For

instance, if your permaculture site

experiences strong winds, you may design

the planting to incorporate more speciesthat grow close to the ground to avoid

damage to the specimens.

The strength of the wind will also affect

aspects of the site such as the rate ofmoisture evaporation from the surface

of a pond or other water body, and the

temperature of the buildings on the

site.You can use planting to ameliorate

conditions where wind alters the

environment.

2How strong are the winds?

Thus, you need to identify the plants in

your permaculture design that will

need to be protected from strong

winds.

Fortunately, there are many ways to

offer this protection, including

construction of windbreaks,

interplanting and guild planting.

Permaculture thrives on cultivating a wide variety of plants, for a range of crops and to

increase the biodiversity of the area. As such, you are unlikely to be able to have all the

species that you want to grow in cultivars that are adapted to the wind conditions on your

site.

3Which plants need protection from the wind?



So, for instance, if you have strong

winds in your location, you would lookto site your chicken coop behind a row

of trees that will divert the wind away

from the coop so that it doesn't impact

as much on the internal temperature

of the chicken's shelter.

Likewise, for other animals you choose

to raise, such as pigs or ducks, siting

their shelter so that the prevailing

winds do not blow directly into thehousing is necessary to ensure their

comfort.

4Do your animals need

protection from the wind?

The movement of air across your site willalso impact upon any livestock that you

have on your site. Chickens and other

animals will need protection from the

wind if it is strong enough to lower the

temperature so that the animals becomeuncomfortable.

Even with light winds, the way the airmoves over, under and around variouselements in your site will cause variations

in things like temperature and moisture

across your plot.

For instance, wind will increase the

rate at which moisture on the surface

of plants and soil will evaporate, while

a sheltered site may therefore be moreprone to frost settling.

Trees and buildings will have variations

in temperature and comfort between

their lee side and the aspect that

receives the force of the wind.

Analyzing these variations tells you the

characteristics of microclimates on

your site, and you can plant suitable

species to thrive in those specific

conditions, allowing them to fill a nichethat they are adapted to thrive in.

5Have the air movements created

microclimates and niches?



6How can you divert the flow

of air across the site?

When you have determined the direction

and strength of the airflows that affect

your site, you can design your plot to

divert wind away from plants and animals

that cannot withstand those flows, as well

as modify the air flow around buildingsand other structures.

This can be done by using fences or

trees as windbreaks (a row of trees

planted to divert wind away from a

house can help reduce your heating

bills, for instance), by modifying thetopography of the site to channel air

away from certain parts of it, and mostof all by suitable siting of plant species.

Guilds and interplanting can afford

protection on a small scale to certainspecies by other, hardier ones, hardy

plants can provide crops even if

buffeted by wind, and trees can divert

airflow away for lower-lying species.

It is not just above the ground that air

plays an important role; the aeration ofthe soil is also crucial to the success of

your planting. Having a good soil structure

- one with lots of humus and with a good

balance of clay and sand - not onlyensures moisture percolates through the

soil profile in the most efficient manner toallow plants and soil organisms to access

as much of it as they need to survive and

thrive, but also that both types of

organisms get the oxygen they need to

breathe and/or transpire.

A well-aerated soil also tends to have asuitable structure to allow plant rootsto work through it, accessing the

elements they need and anchoring

themselves deeply and securely in the

ground.

Adding organic matter and loosemulch material − such as straw or

wood chips − that allows airflow helpsaerate the soil.

7Does the soil allow for

good aeration?



On a permaculture plot, the emphasis ison organic, natural methods of cultivation,

including avoiding adding pollutants to the

air. However, such deleterious inputs can

affect your site if they come from outside

sources which you cannot control.

8Are their pollutant

inputs in the air?

For instance, nearby roads can addchemicals to the air (as well as

generate noise) that may affect thehealth, not to mention the comfort, of

your site) while local industry may also

release undesirable emissions that can

drift, across your plot.

If your site is subject to such things you

can design to alleviate them; for

instance planting a row of trees with

feathery foliage can help filter dust and

other pollutants generated by vehicleson a nearby road.

Like rainwater, the wind is a free sourceof renewable energy. If you have thecapability to capture it and convert it to

useable power, you will lessen your

energy bill, contribute to limiting the

burning of fossil fuels, which drives global

warming, and make yourself more energy

independent.

9Can you harness the wind

to generate power?

There are different types of windturbine available that simply convert

the wind into power for a specific task,

such as powering a water pump, and

others that generate power that youcan store or sell back to the municipal

system.

There is an initial outlay of cost to

purchase the equipment, and you will

need to check local ordinances on windturbine structures, but if viable, a

turbine could prove very beneficial to

your site in the long term.



HERE'S A CHECKLIST OF 50 WAYS YOU COULD APPLY

PERMACULTURE IDEAS TO YOUR SITE.

50 THINGS CHECKLIST

Think of all the small ways

you could save water in the

home.

From turning the tap off while you brushyour teeth to fixing that dripping faucet.

Even small changes soon add up, saving

water and reducing water bills.

Consider replacing pavedpaths in the garden with

low-lying vegetation.

This will reduce water runoff and increase

biodiversity.

Consider using greywater −

the "waste" water from the

laundry and bathroom.

As long as you use organic detergents, it'sperfectly safe for use as irrigation on your

garden beds − just avoid spraying it

directly on fruits and vegetables.

Consider mulching yourgarden beds.

Mulching with organic materials adds

nutrients to the soil, preserves soil

moisture (so less watering is needed) and

prevents erosion by wind and rain.

Think about installing solar power.

The energy is free once you have the requisite equipment,

and so will save on your energy bills over the long term.

The initial cost can be off putting but increasingly you canarrange leasing or hire-purchase arrangements with solar

power companies to offset or stagger the cost.




Consider building a pond.

It will attract a great variety of wildlife,

allows you to cultivate aquatic species of

plants, thus increasing the biodiversity ofyour site, it provides a body of water for

emergency use, and can be used to

support fish or ducks.

Consider harvesting

rainwater.Water is a very precious resource and a

lot of it simply runs off into the municipaldrainage system. Diverting rainwater from

the roofs of your buildings to storage units

helps reduce wastage, means you use

less municipal water as irrigation (so

saving money) and gives you access to

water even in times of extreme shortage(such as heat waves), making you more

self sufficient.

Think about how often you

upgrade your digital devices.Do you really need the latest version of a

smartphone, or that slightly larger TV?

Looking after devices and only replacing

them when they are no longer useable

reduces waste and pressure on the

mineral resources that go into producingthem. It also saves you money.

Consider canning and

pickling your surplus fruitsand vegetables.

Doing so will give you access to foodstuffs

even when those crops are not in season,

will mean you don't have to buy so many

groceries, and prevents the fruits and

vegetables going to waste. They are alsodelicious!

Think about when you

irrigate your garden beds.

Watering plants early in the morning or

late in the evening gives the plants the

most time to absorb the maximum

amount of water before it evaporates,

making for healthier plants and reducing

your water use.




Consider starting a compost pile.

By converting "waste" from the kitchen into compost for the garden beds you create a

closed loop of energy, with the foods giving you energy when you eat them, and you givingthe plants the foods came from energy by increasing the nutrient content of the soil.

Think about how you use

your washing machine.

By only putting it on when you have a full

load, and by reducing the temperature

(even by just a few degrees), you saveenergy and water − and thus money on

your household bills.

Consider drying your clothes

outside.

As the tumble drier is one of the most

energy-hungry of all household

appliances. Sure, outside drying may takea little longer, but think of the energy and

money you are saving.

Think about planting your

crops in guilds.

So they support one another and requireless energy and intervention from you.

Consider getting a few

chickens, if you have the

space.

They help turn the soil, add nutrients to itvia their manure, help keep pest insect

populations under control, will eat scraps

from the kitchen, and provide you with

fresh eggs. Plus, they are cute, inquisitiveand fun to watch.




Consider replacing your

conventional light bulbs with

energy saving versions.

They save you money, use fewerresources, and last longer.

Think about all the ways on

object could be reused on the

site before you throw it out.Most things can be repurposed somehow.

For instance, a bucket could become a

plant container, an old bath can be turned

into a worm farm, or bottle tops can be

utilised as a deer deterrent.

Consider your

neighbors.

Respect and concern for other

people is central to the ideas of

permaculture, so always think

about the effect something you

do on your site may have onthose around you, and talk to

them about potential changes

that will impact them.

Consider growing cover

crops over the winter after

your main harvest is over.

This avoids leaving the soil bare (leaving itprone to erosion by wind and rain), and

will add nutrients to the soil profile readyfrom replanting in the spring.

Consider using native plants

on your site.

These species are the best adapted toyour local soil and climate conditions,

meaning they are more likely to thrive on

your plot − while requiring less input from

you.



Think about ways to get

some free manure.

Local riding stables and farms will

typically have lots of manure you can use.

Composted, this manure will add loads of

nutrients to your soil.

Consider sheet mulching to

transform areas of weeds to

viable garden beds quickly.

Layering cardboard, compost materials

and newspaper over weeds denies them

sunlight so they can't photosynthesize.

You can even plant crops into the sheetmulch to get a crop while clearing the

unwanted plants.

Think about ways to cool

your house.

Adding a door or planting a deciduous

tree to protect the building from the

summer sun can moderate the

temperature and mean you won't have touse the air conditioning so much − saving

energy and money.

Consider making keyhole

garden beds.

This style of bed maximizes the. Viable

planting space, meaning you get more

yield from your site, and increases the

amount of edge − the interface between

two environments − which is the mostdynamic part of an ecosystem.

Think about getting rid of your lawn.

It requires lots of water and maintenance, but does not give you a yield. Transform it into

growing beds and reap the rewards of a useable harvest.



Think about how you can

attract birds to your site.

Increasing biodiversity, instituting a body

of water, and protecting them frompredation by pet cats, will bring in birds,which will help keep insects under

control, aid plant pollination and fill the

garden with delightful birdsong.

Think about how often you

will visit a particular plant tocare for it and harvest it.

This will help determine the zones of your

design, with those plants that you visit

most often positioned closest to the home.

Consider using trees as

windbreaks.

This will protect more fragile plants from

wind damage, create an environment thatis more attractive to insects, birds andother wildlife, and modify temperature

across the site, including on the home.

Consider taking showers

rather than having baths.Showers use less water and less energy

to heat the water − saving on water and

heating costs.

Think about swapping surplus crops with your neighbors.

Gardeners often have different varieties of fruits and vegetables from one another, and

swapping amongst yourselves means food does not go to waste, you don't have to buy so

many groceries, and you get a wider variety of food for your kitchen.



Think about how the

topography of your siteaffects how water runs off it.

Water is a precious and essential resource

for the success of your permaculture plot,

so look at ways to modify slope to slowrunoff, such as planting trees at the to of

slopes, or building swales.

Consider installing a drip

irrigation system for some of

your crops.

Such systems give a steady supply of

water to the roots of plants, making them

more efficient in their water use.

Consider starting some of

your crop plants indoorsbefore the growing season

starts.

That way you can extend the growing

period, having access to more yield from

your plot for longer, and reducing theneed to buy groceries.

Think about your electricalappliances when they are not

in use.

Turning them off completely rather than

putting them on standby will save energy

and reduce electricity bills. For instance,

a microwave not in use is still drawing inelectricity just to power the clock − and

you probably don't need another clock inthe kitchen!

Consider a herb spiral.

These unique garden beds maximise the

growing area, allow easy access forharvesting, and have a variety of

microclimates across their surface

meaning you can cultivate many different

species.

Think about ways to reduce

your carbon footprint.

From using public transport more instead

of taking the car, to buying local, seasonal

ingredients to minimise food miles.

Consider using a wind turbine to convert wind

power to useable energy.It could be a small one to power a water pump, say, or a

larger one (local ordinances permitting) to supply some of

your household energy. Either way you will be saving

resources and saving money.



Think about starting a worm

farm.

They are easy to set up, require minimal

energy input from the gardener, and turnkitchen waste into useable compost,making a closed loop energy system on

your permaculture plot.

Consider permaculture even

if you don't have a lot of

space.

It is very adaptable. Even those with a

courtyard garden can still grow fruit trees

in containers or espaliered against a wall,

grow vegetables and herbs in verticalgardens (in recycled plastic bottles hung

up, for instance), and even construct a

no-dig garden bed over the paving stones.

Consider leaving the

leaves that fall from

deciduous trees on

the ground,

Rather than raking them up andthrowing them away or burning

them. They will act as naturalmulch, releasing nutrients into

the soil as they rot, which is

particularly useful in fall and

winter, resupplying the soil

ready for planting in spring.

Think about instituting a

forest garden.

With the many different "layers" in a

forest garden, you maximize the numberof species you cultivate, as they can eachfind a niche at different heights, thus

maximising yield. You also increase

biodiversity, which will attract wildlife.

Consider how you move

between different activities

in the garden and design so

that they minimise energy

expenditure.

For instance, place the compost pile

somewhere you would logically visit after

checking the chickens, so you can dump

the manure into the compost pile, ratherthan moving back and forth.



Think about selling your

surplus crops at the local

market.

It will give you a potential extra income

and will provide the local community withaccess to organic food, cultivated without

chemicals and inorganic fertilizers.

Consider catching the water

you use to wash vegetables

and do dishes.

This moisture can be reused to irrigate

the garden (just remember to use organicwashing up liquid).

Think about turning off all

your appliances when you go

on vacation.

Plan to empty the fridge in the run up toyour departure, and turn it, as well as

your TV, entertainment devices and

kitchen equipment, off at the wall when

you leave. It will save energy and reduce

you bills.

Consider the local wildlife.

Designing in harmony with nature is

integral to permaculture. Of course, you

can design to help keep insect

populations under control or deter deer

from eating your crops, but try not toimpact upon the natural behaviors of wild

animals too much.

Think about your "mistakes" as opportunities for learning.

Even when things apparently go wrong − a crop doesn't grow as well as you expected, for

instance, consider the lessons you can learn from it.




Consider testing the

pH level of your soil.

It is quickly done with litmus

paper bought cheaply, and you

can relatively easily alter the

acidity or alkalinity of your soilby adding organic matter, to

make the growing medium

more beneficial to your crops.

Think about sharing

garden equipment

with your neighbors.

That way you don't all have tobuy the same pieces of

equipment, so you all savemoney, and you promote a

collaborative and sharing

community.

Consider leavingpart of your plot to

"go wild".

This gives you a chance to

observe nature unencumbered

− and it is likely to attract

insects and other wildlife to the

native plants, so protecting

your crops from too muchundue attention.

Permaculture Property Checklist

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Transcript of Permaculture Property Checklist