Bill Sullivan

Tyler Ludens wrote:Not everyone has the luxury of moving to a nice location. Many people need to learn how to garden in less than optimum locations. Seems like permaculture (and permaculturists) could help with that! I guess if your doing it for fun that is fine.

Don't fight mother nature because you will always lose in the long run. Some places just aren't made for planting. I'm going to give you the best suggestion yet. Look for a nice location away from the 7 lane freeway where it is quiet and peaceful and has a good location for growing. Usually that would be in a valley as the soil and mulch you lost will be there waiting for you. Life is too short to battle natural disasters.

It's hard to find a place that meets all of the above, especially since I would like to stay in the North East if possible. PA is the best bet so far as everything else up here sucks in terms of taxes alone. It's all about balance, though.
I think you are there already except for the tax issues Central Ny fits the bill. Look in the Ithaca area and you will have a good market for your produce.

I think Eliot Coleman has the right idea when he plants very intense 30" wide rows with 1' walking paths between them. He also plants things like onions in bunches because they will make the space they need for themselves. Check out what he is doing, I think he has it right.

I guess it boils down to how you are looking at it....as a capitalist or an environmentalist. I think many people would make the right choices if they could do so without suffering the consequences of not considering financial impacts. If you own large amounts of property there are certain things you must do in order to retain it and sometimes profit must come first. I think if you can, diversity is always the safest choice, it keeps things in balance and requires small changes if things go wrong.

I was considering raising ducks for eggs but after researching it some I found they were so high in cholesterol that I talked myself out of it. What is the general consensus on duck eggs? I also noticed someone commented that they were too small to certify organic but think you may be able to label your product organic without certification if you fall under the minimum earned figure stated in the organic standards. webpage