(Jesikah) Did writing The Biodome Chronicles change how you garden?

(I'm totally stealing my question from your welcome thread, LOL!)

When writing The Biodome Chronicles, did all the research and thought you put into how the biodomes would work (be an closed-loop system that required no mechanics above medieval level), change how you garden? How so?

Nicole Alderman wrote:(I'm totally stealing my question from your welcome thread, LOL!)

When writing The Biodome Chronicles, did all the research and thought you put into how the biodomes would work (be an closed-loop system that required no mechanics above medieval level), change how you garden? How so?

Haha! Steal away!

Yes, in a sense. Before writing The Biodome Chronicles, I had explored options at the University of Washington to finish my 4-year degree. I enrolled, was accepted, and almost began two years of college to earn a degree in Forestry with a focus on ecological rehabilitation. Funny thing about going to college in 2010+ . . . the tuition is absurd!!! So, I changed courses and explored a permaculture certification from Alderleaf Wilderness College in Monroe, WA. Alas, they required all their students to live on campus, and with little ones, that was out of the question.

And thus I began my career in writing ecopunk science fiction, lol.

I came into the series with a good amount of permaculture knowledge already. But I did learn even more, especially about soil ecology, which totally fascinated me. I also studied hydropnic systems in more detail than before. Did it change my gardening practices? A little bit.

Now for the sad part of this tale :-( My garden is a wasteland at present. I just couldn't keep up with motherhood, running a publishing company, and writing at the same time. And I so miss my garden. Desperately. My goal this fall is to mend the soil and begin layering it with brown and green compost to prep for a nice garden this 2019 :-)

A windy answer. Sorry :-P

I like windy answers!

I totally feel you on the no-time-to-garden bit. It's been a hard few years with two little ones. There's a lot less done out there than I'd like, and I'm not even writing a book!

I remember when I would pat and sing my son to sleep. Sometimes it would take over an hour. To keep myself sane in the dark room, I'd envision where I was going to plant everything in the garden...when I finally got the time to plant, that is!

Did you know, a university in Oregon offers a free online Intro to Permaculture PDC (https://open.oregonstate.edu/courses/permaculture/). Of course, with writing and children, it's still near impossible to find the time to do that (I know I haven't managed to have time to take a PDC, either!!!)

Nicole Alderman wrote:I like windy answers!

I totally feel you on the no-time-to-garden bit. It's been a hard few years with two little ones. There's a lot less done out there than I'd like, and I'm not even writing a book!

I remember when I would pat and sing my son to sleep. Sometimes it would take over an hour. To keep myself sane in the dark room, I'd envision where I was going to plant everything in the garden...when I finally got the time to plant, that is!

Did you know, a university in Oregon offers a free online Intro to Permaculture PDC (https://open.oregonstate.edu/courses/permaculture/). Of course, with writing and children, it's still near impossible to find the time to do that (I know I haven't managed to have time to take a PDC, either!!!)

Oh how beautiful. I love how you were thinking of gardens while singing your song to sleep

What? Nooooo, I didn't know! That's awesome! I'll for sure check it out Thanks!