Started on Gaia's Garden!

Just got the book in this week, can't put it down (which is not good, since I now have 2 houses and 2 jobs), but I am learning a ton!

Jim

That's it ... keep reading ... get good and addicted ....

The author was here for a book promo once.  He has mentioned coming back to hang out again for the second edition of his book.

so do you recommend it, it is one i have not read

I would highly recommend this book.  It has a good balance of theory and practical advice (what to do and why).  I can't put it down.

But I do have some questions that I will probably post about later as individual topics.  Permaculture is such a vast concept that it seems one needs some knowledge of ecology, gardening, botany, etc. before they can really make the most of the principles that are entailed under the title "permaculture."  For instance, at one point, when discussing permaculture design, Hememway talks about listing the products, activities, intrinsic qualities, and needs of the major elements in your design.  I just don't know enough about plants to be able to do this.  Heck, it was only a couple of weeks ago that I first read the term "nitrogen fixer," so I'm a bit behind the curve.

Has some industrious permaculture advocate out there comprised a list of some of the more prominent elements one might encounter and their products, activities, intrinsic qualities, and needs?  If so, it would be a big help for the less informed among us (which may just be me, on this forum)

hey we could all use a good list like that..i go to my lists all the time to see what i need for what..like if i need to put something in a clay area..i go to my lists of what grows well in clay..to glean an idea from.

i have begun to compile online lists too..in my documents file..i have a list of things now that do and do not grow under walnut trees..as i planted 3 walnut trees near my back woods..

so as you can, build up some lists on your computer..and then you'll have some good resources..

if you say have to have something to grow in hot sun zone 7..ask people on here for suggstions, and then file the entire mess in your document file..

build up an encyclopidia of what to grow at Jim's place..

I have to admit that permaculture is about using your brain instead of your brawn (or what the chem companies say).

I do think the Gaia's Garden does give the smoothest pah to that knowledge.

Hey, wasn't there a guy at the Washington State Permaculture Convergence from a different state (Michigan??) who wanted to create online databases of guild plants for different regions? He spoke English and Spanish and had some unique theatre/non-profit thing going on, I think. I am blanking on his name and his website. Dang.

There have been rumblings from other places, too, about collecting permaculture data in many areas, though I don't know if there is anything substantial.

I'm still learning - haven't even read Gaia's Garden myself yet! Though from some experience gardening, and trying to glean permaculture as much as I can, I think so much is micro-climate (e.g., you might have an extra warm spot between your metal toolshed and your porch) and personal preference, that even your neighbor's list might not work for you.

after our housefire and we moved the new house 40' behind the back of where the old house was on the property..and had to raise it up 4' above grade for the new drainfield and the crawlspace (lowlands here)..it was amazing the differnt things that would grow here that didn't grow at the prior location..same property..only 40 ft further back.

i find it amazing each year to see the changes that have been coming about since the fire..and they are good changes..more microclimates from the raised areas..the slopes that are now there all around the house and the drainfield are tremendously fertile too..mostly all top soil 4' deep..with some clay and sod mixed buried in it..things that used to languish now thrive..