Introduction to Permaculture

Aug 11

Written By Lisa Miller

Supermoon and fireweed go together

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Create - Enhance - Restore

Issue 7-2022
Ecological Gardening: Intro to Permaculture
Moon Gardening
Monthly Tips
Offers

Hello friends,

Over the course of two months here in the Pacific Northwest we went from the coldest and wettest spring to breaking heat wave records. These dramatic swings in weather events are getting more pronounced, more fatal and long term, making them climate patterns, no longer weather patterns.

If anyone is still questioning whether or not there are major climatic changes happening just pause and think about your seasons 10-years ago. Wherever you are. Are your old garden favorites not thriving and you are seeing new ones settle in?
Were there more gradual shifts from spring to summer, or fall to winter? Did the changing color of the leaves last long enough to plan a drive to the mountains to enjoy?
Now it all seems to happen in a flash.
Flash floods literally in some cases. Blessings to our families and friends in the mid-west during these last few weeks.

When I talk to clients, friends or family it sometimes feels so daunting and that the problems are so gigantic there is nothing any ONE of us can do to help.

This month I am thinking of a few of those conversations and hope to give hope that there are ways we each can help just a bit, even if on your own little quarter-acre (or eighth-acre or apartment balcony) space on this planet.

I will start with a quick re-cap or reintroduction of the principles of permaculture I always consider and am working towards in my practice.

Permaculture is the application of a set of ethics & principles to care for the whole Earth and all of its inhabitants. Originally from the term 'permanent agriculture', now has expanded for applications to all landscape scales and other fields.

As you look at the diagram* and list of the 12 principles, think of how it can apply to the garden and other areas of your life - social, economic, relational, spiritual, etc.

~~ Three ethics form the core and are surrounded by the 12 principles ~~

Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share

Observe & Interact

Catch & Store Energy

Obtain a Yield

Apply Self-Regulation & Accept Feedback

Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services

Produce No Waste

Design from Patterns to Details

Integrate Rather the Segregate

Use Small & Slow Solutions

Use & Value Diversity

Use Edges & Value the Marginal

Creatively Use & Respond to Changes

As we push through another month of heat in most of the country then transition into wetter winters; can you put in place any of the below practices in your garden or landscape?
Let's work together to heal and regenerate the planet, from the soil up.

Now don’t think you have to run out and put all of these suggestions into action to make a difference, try just one that suits your space, time and budget.

Let your lawn grow longer in between mowing and stop mowing completely when it is dormant in the heat of summer. This helps the roots grow deeper, storing more water down below, also keeping the soil cooler and structurally intact.
Incorporate more edible and medicinal plants into your ornamental gardens - or line the edges of your lawns. This doesn’t need to be an extravagant food forest, but think about what you might use regularly. Mint for tea, chives for cooking, grapes for shade and eating, catmint for your cats, colic or headaches, sweet peas for fragrant cut flowers and more.
Cover ALL of your bare soil with organic compost and wood chips. This relatively inexpensive task will save you time and money all year long. It will reduce water loss (and bills), minimize soil and nutrient runoff from heavy rains thus reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and bagged nutrients for the soil, insulate roots from upcoming snow or cold winds, and build habitat for next year's beneficial insects - such as lady bugs that control aphids.
Plant deciduous (leaf-dropping) trees and shrubs on the south and west facing sides of your home or garage to create shade in the summer and let in sunlight warm the walls in the winter. This reduces heating and cooling costs and energy consumption.
Place rain barrels or cisterns in similar arrangements to capture and store heat energy where needed. Think of tomatoes or peppers that like to be warm for more hours than we usually have in a day. And now you have extra water to keep them happy.

Again - picking even just one of these or another Regenerative practice will go a long way for you and your community.

If you need more ideas, revisit some of the past editions of The Bee’s Knees - News You Can Use for tips and resources. Send a message if you have a specific question.

Stay healthy, happy and your hands in the soil !!
~ Lisa

I do not receive compensation for any affiliate links in email or on website.

*Image and Principles from PermaculturePrinciples.com

Consultations Available: August - Full; September - 4

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Moon Gardening

Since time immemorial our ancestors have lived, told time, fell in love, passed down stories and tended the gardens by the light of the moon. I would like to offer the opportunity for you all to learn more and engage with our only true and beloved satellite while digging in the soil and while walking other paths of your lives.

How does it work - different phases of the moon provide different energies for working in the garden (and all aspects of our lives) to support a specific task or goal.

This is related to but not exactly the same as planting by Astrological days. There is some overlap and you can do both concurrently or choose only one. In these posts I will focus on Moon gardening, yet I will add tid-bits about which astrological sign we may be in at the time.

The Moon, as you all know, directly affects our gravity and the tides. Did you realize it affects gravity on everything - all water on Earth; in our bodies and down to the water in single cells of plants and animals.

Where are we now?

Tonight (8/11/22) is the full Moon known as the Sturgeon Moon or more commonly the Harvest Moon and it is the last supermoon of the year. Tlingit people of the Pacific Northwest referred to it as the Mountain Shadows Moon*

The Moon is in the part of the sky known as Aquarius. A good time to ‘share wisdom, and set intentions for humanitarian causes and positive change* and work with your shadow-self.

This moon will be especially powerful for ‘setting boundaries, making changes and creating the life you always wanted’*

Additionally, use this powerful time in the celestial season of Leo to channel your strength and energy with fire rituals. This may be an altar around a fire while sipping fireweed and honey tea, burning fire or Sun invoking herbs (dried Marigolds, Saffron) to set your intentions for the next two weeks before the Last Quarter Moon.

How can this apply to the garden?
During this time you are likely harvesting all of the rewards that you have sown in the prior months.
These may be blueberries and strawberries, more challenging tomatoes and fresh compost piles. You may also be harvesting ideas for what your next garden will have. Remember it is a cycle and you will sow those ideas in time.

Plants for the Moon Garden:

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) mentioned in June but worth revisiting here - if you planted, harvested or infused any, Leo is a good time to work with it as it is a ‘Lion-hearted’ herb. Recommend a tincture over tea if you have any prepared as it is extremely bitter. Tea is optional in small amounts for intention setting - just don't make a whole pitcher!

Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) A pioneer species post-fire disturbance and abundant in the late summer. Delicate and lovely pink-purple flowers. Edible leaves and shoots, cooked or tea over raw until you are sure it settles well.

Sources and Resources:

Coloring Book of Shadows (my favorite day planner)
The Moon Book by Sarah Gottesdiener
The Herbal Academy
Greenmatters.com
Nylon.com

Shop local, Shop small business!

I do not receive compensation for any affiliate links in email or on website.

While you are learning more about the moon’s seasons, energy, power and spirit I ask that each of you also consider how you can help protect her - right now (and for some time really) there has been an assault on the moon. To regard this beautiful being in our solar system only as a resource, a thing to exploit for our benefit is beyond unfortunate and will only do us harm in the long run.

Please join me in honoring the moon by accepting and celebrating what she has to offer. I look forward to learning more with all of you.

Moon Phases and their associations.

There are four primary phases, in some resources you may see as many as 9. Here I am introducing the most commonly seen. Please note this list of associations or attributes is not exhaustive, only a foundation to get us started on this journey together. Remember these apply to all aspects of life not just in the landscape.

New - Set New Intentions, Start Projects, Renew and Regenerate

First Quarter - Take Action, Increase Energy, Let things In

Full - Culmination, Complete and Fulfill

Last Quarter - Banishing, Let things Go

In addition to the phases there are periods of transition.

Waxing is the time between new & full; the first quarter

Waning is the time between full & new; the last quarter

Want to plan and build your own Moon Garden?
Reach out today - Click HERE

August Pro-TIPS

Get your hands dirty with past posts & tips by visiting the blog:
The Bee's Knees - News You Can Use

~ Water in the evening. This is best if you have drip or soaker hoses to give time for the plant roots to take up all of the water to be ready for the next day. If you have overhead sprinklers or watering by hand, water early enough to let the foliage dry before dark. Remaining wet for too long may lead to powdery mildew and other pests.

~ Divide and share! Do you have excess plants like strawberries, geraniums, dahlias? Time to dig them up and give them to a friend or neighbor.

~ Review your garden journal. This is generally a task for the ‘slow’ time, but revisiting now to note what has been going well and what to adapt for next year will be a time saver later on.

Have a specific question? Hire a Garden Coach for a single session or a year-long package for seasonal troubleshooting!

Share with a friend to Grow Together!

Back to School! Learning in the Garden is just as FUN! Want to build a garden just for the kids?
Age appropriate designs and sizes available

Contact before August 25th and receive a free gift for your new garden.

Start Here Today !

Pollinator Gardens
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Creating habitats for birds, bees, butterflies and other insects is such a rewarding experience for any level gardener.

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A basic design so you can plant them for the greatest success*
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Pollinator Paradise Garden Kit includes:
50 plants personally selected for your site, covers approximately 200 square feet
A basic design so you can plant them for the greatest success*
Pollinator garden sign to proudly display
Your choice of a butterfly or bee house to support your newest garden neighbors!

*Additional service available if you would like Eco-Restore to install plants in the appropriate place.

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Eco-Restore provides consultation services and designs sustainable, regenerative and healthy gardens. Incorporating native, edible, and medicinal plants to enhance habitats for the benefit of people and the planet.

Eco-Restore landscapes include: