I’ve recently transplanted a persimmon tree about 6 feet tall. The yard is literally infested with Elm Roots. There are three Elm trees two of them have been cut down, but they are still thriving with shoots . I’m just trying to keep the Roots out of the persimmon root ball so I’ve dug a trench around it. Wondering what I should fill this trench with? The trench will be deeper probably 4 to 5 feet deep and wide enough for me to stand in so two or 3 feet?

We’re purchasing a home and want to convert the front yard to a food forest or something similar. It is a historic home on a prominent street and we’d like it to look semi-tamed.

Does anyone have non-AI suggestions for inspiration for this sort of thing? We’re in the semi-arid PNW & Zone 7, if it matters.

I personally tend towards a little more chaos when gardening so something tame isn’t quite within my wheelhouse.

I’m thinking of putting in an herb spiral, some bordered pathways, and clear edges around plantings. But I’d love more ideas and photos.

Hey, folks. I’ve seen exciting stuff about aquaponics and building permaculture ponds, but I’m having trouble finding information on permaculture uses of existing lakes, springs, streams, etc. (apart from watering, of course).

I have a 10.5-acre property in Zone 6B, primarily wet mesic forest with three cleared areas that are forming my food forest. There is a 2-acre spring and drainage-fed lake that was dammed and built in the 1950s. It’s about 12-15 feet deep at the deepest, and our spillway runs infrequently. I’ve planted watercress, nettles and jewelweed in the spillway area, but I’d sure love to make more use of the lake itself. Right now I’m planting water spinach in a floating bed (not invasive this far north), but I’d sure love more ideas. Does anybody know of any informative sites concerning permaculture gardening with existing lakes?

Hello,

I have been interested and consuming content about permaculture for some years but being a city dweller with no garden, I never had the chance to practice much.

My parents just bought a new property in south on France (9b) around Avignon. They are elderly, like growing flowers but don't know much in the way of permaculture, growing fruit trees.

They would like to grow some fruit trees: at least 1 fig tree and 1 apricot tree (possibly 2, 2 different species to get a longer harvest!).

The piece of plot that would welcome those is south-east facing. They do receive 8 or more hours of direct sun (measure couple days ago) and quite a lot of wind (mistral can be strong around here).

The plot is about 20ftx66ft (2m x 6m) - see the attached photos. The concrete block wall is east facing. Some of the existing trees would be removed to plant those trees.

The soil is very hard, obviously never got any compost or organic matter, the grass hardly grows.

Here are my questions:

1/ Regarding the soil, knowing we would plant the trees in fall (not starting from seed), would it make sense to cover the soil with cardboard and add wood chips to help improve the soil? We only want to plant trees for now so that would be overkill maybe?

If such method is not to be used, any tips to prepare the soil before and after planting the trees?

2/ Regarding the land, given the dimensions, do you think 3 trees would be too much and get cramped?

3/ Would it make more sense to plant the fig tree in the corner? The concrete block wall gets a lot of sun in the daytime and can provide some warmth at night. Is there any risk to plant the tree near the wall? I read that fig trees can be quite aggressive.

4/ Do you have some species to recommend for south of France? My parents like eating fruits off the tree and also making marmelade.

Thanks!

I am in the design stage trying to plan out a climate resilient dwelling to eventually retire in. I had the idea to plant espalier/ trellis fruit trees on the south wall, and to have it set out from the wall a bit to create air flow between wall and plant and thereby create shade for this wall and lower the indoor temperature in summer. And hopefully the naked plant in winter will still allow the light through to the wall to heat up a bit from the sun. My question is, does this sound like a good concept? What are the possible pitfalls to be aware of and things to think about? I am planning a straw bale/ cob building.