Giuseppe Tallarico

Thanks Paul, I love your work!

Thanks Paul. We have noticed an interesting discrepancy in traffic data: according to Permies, our site is receiving hundreds of clicks, while Google Analytics and other analytics platforms report only a few dozen sessions.

Advanced Woodworking in Permaculture: Elevating Your Skills for Greater Sustainability

While woodworking in permaculture starts with simple, practical projects, advancing your skills can open the door to even greater sustainability, efficiency, and resilience in your permaculture design.

Beyond basic structures, woodworking techniques such as advanced joinery, timber framing, and natural wood finishing can enhance the durability, beauty, and environmental impact of your projects.

In this extension of The Art of Woodworking in Permaculture, we explore deeper applications of woodworking that align with regenerative principles and offer new ideas to incorporate wood into your sustainable lifestyle.

Advanced Woodworking Techniques for Permaculture

1️⃣ Timber Framing for Long-Lasting Structures
Traditional timber framing, using mortise and tenon joints rather than nails and screws, creates durable, aesthetic, and repairable buildings. This method is perfect for constructing off-grid homes, barns, or community spaces in a sustainable way.

2️⃣ Natural Wood Preservation Methods
Rather than relying on chemical preservatives, permaculturists can use techniques like:
✅ Shou Sugi Ban (charred wood) – A Japanese method that makes wood resistant to fire, water, and pests.
✅ Natural oils and resins – Linseed oil, beeswax, and tung oil can enhance wood longevity while keeping it biodegradable.

3️⃣ Integrating Woodworking with Agroforestry
Woodworking and agroforestry go hand in hand. By planting fast-growing, sustainable hardwood species, you can create a closed-loop system where your woodworking materials come directly from your own land. Some excellent choices include:
🌱 Black locust – Durable and rot-resistant.
🌱 Alder and chestnut – Fast-growing and excellent for coppicing.
🌱 Bamboo – Technically a grass, but an incredible renewable resource for woodworking projects.

Beyond Construction: Creative Woodworking for a Regenerative Life

In permaculture, wood isn’t just for building—it’s a medium for innovation. Consider these creative woodworking ideas to enhance your homestead or farm:

🔨 Water Management Solutions – Build wooden aqueducts, rainwater collection barrels, and swales to improve water efficiency in your landscape.

🏡 Passive Solar and Energy Efficiency – Craft wooden shutters, window coverings, and sunshades to regulate temperature naturally.

🌿 Wildlife and Pollinator Habitats – Construct wooden beehives, bat houses, birdhouses, and insect hotels to encourage biodiversity.

A Call to Action: Build, Experiment, and Regenerate

Mastering woodworking is a lifelong journey—one that allows you to craft a world that is resilient, regenerative, and uniquely yours.

If you're ready to take your skills to the next level, be sure to download the free guide: The Art of Woodworking: 40 Practical Projects, and start experimenting with new techniques that align with your permaculture vision.

👉 Download The Art of Woodworking: 40 Practical Projects here: The Art of Woodworking Download Page The Art of Woodworking Download Page

Let’s keep building a sustainable future, one handcrafted project at a time!

Hi Paul, I hope you're doing pretty well. We're analisyng the data of the ads and there's a huge difference between the data reported on google analitycs and permies platform. Any idea?

This seems can be done on a new ads, not on a running one. Thanks Paul

How to set ads to "filler" ?

What do you mean: I think that running an add slowly gets better CTR....? Is there a parameter for "solow ads"?

Using the sun to preserve food is an ancient yet highly relevant technique today! Solar food drying is an eco-friendly and energy-efficient way to store fruits, vegetables, and herbs for months without refrigeration. But with so many designs and environmental factors to consider, what works best? Let’s dive into the key aspects of solar drying and how to get the best results!

1️⃣ Which Solar Dryer Design Works Best?

There are two main approaches to solar drying, each with its own advantages:

🔹 Direct Exposure Dryer

This simple method involves placing food in a transparent container directly under the sun.

✅ Pros: Easy to build, inexpensive, requires minimal materials.
❌ Cons: Can overheat, leading to nutrient loss or uneven drying. Works best in dry climates with stable sun exposure.

🔹 Solar Collector Dryer

A separate solar panel or collector heats the air, which then circulates through trays of food, ensuring better drying.

✅ Pros: Provides better airflow, prevents overheating, and dries food more evenly. Works well even in less sunny conditions.
❌ Cons: Slightly more complex to build but delivers far superior results.


💡 Best Choice? If you’re serious about efficient drying, a solar collector dryer with good airflow is the way to go. Adding a solar-powered fan can further improve efficiency!

2️⃣ Best Building Materials for a Solar Food Dryer

Many DIY solar dryers are made from recycled and upcycled materials, making them both sustainable and cost-effective. Here are some of the best materials to use:

🛠 Frame: Wood is the best choice—durable, breathable, and easy to work with.
🌞 Solar Collection Surface: Use clear glass or polycarbonate sheets to trap heat effectively.
🍽 Trays: Stainless steel mesh or food-safe plastic mesh are ideal. Avoid aluminum or galvanized metal to prevent chemical contamination.
🌬 Airflow Management: A black-painted metal base in the collector absorbs heat efficiently, speeding up the drying process.

🔧 Pro Tip: If repurposing an old fridge or freezer, cut ventilation holes and install mesh screens to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.

3️⃣ Climate Challenges & How to Adapt

Not everyone lives in an ideal climate for solar drying. If you’re in a humid or cloudy area, here are some ways to make solar drying work:

🌬 Improve Airflow:

   Raise the dryer off the ground to enhance ventilation.
   Install adjustable vents to release moisture effectively.
   Use a solar chimney (a tall, black-painted exhaust vent) to pull out humid air faster.

🏡 Alternative Drying Locations:

   Try drying food in an attic—it's naturally warm and dry.
   Use a greenhouse setup to extend drying seasons.

🔥 Hybrid Solutions:
If your area is too humid, consider a hybrid solar-electric dryer with a low-wattage heat source or a small fan to assist drying on cloudy days.

4️⃣ Best Foods for Solar Drying

Some foods dry better than others. Here are the easiest and trickiest foods to dry using solar power:
✔ Easy to Dry:

🍏 Apples & pears – Slice thin for quick drying and rich flavor.
🍅 Tomatoes – Great for sun-dried tomatoes! Pre-treat with salt for better preservation.
🌿 Herbs – Basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary retain their potency well.
🥕 Carrots & beets – Shredded before drying for even results.
❌ More Challenging Foods:

🍌 Bananas – Without pre-treatment (lemon juice), they turn black.
🥑 Avocados – Too high in fat to dry properly.
🥩 Meat & fish – Can be done but requires higher heat and good airflow for safety.

🔥 Pro Tip: Some veggies (like green beans and peas) should be blanched before drying to preserve color and nutrients.
Final Thoughts

Solar food drying is an incredible way to preserve food naturally, save electricity, and enjoy homemade dried fruits, veggies, and herbs year-round. Whether you’re in a sunny desert or a humid coastal region, you can adapt solar drying to fit your environment with the right design, materials, and techniques.

Have you tried making a DIY solar dryer? What foods have you successfully dried? Share your tips, photos, or experiences below! 🌞😊

I've been exploring solar food dryers as a natural way to preserve food without electricity. The idea of using the sun to dry fruits, vegetables, and herbs is fascinating! I've come across different approaches and would love to hear your thoughts on some key aspects.
1️⃣ Which Design Works Best?

I've seen two main configurations:
🔹 Direct exposure dryer – Food is placed in a transparent container directly under the sun. It's simple to build but can sometimes overheat or degrade nutrients.
🔹 Solar collector dryer – A separate solar panel heats the air, which then circulates through trays holding the food. This prevents overheating and ensures more even drying.

Have you tried either method? Which one worked best for you?
2️⃣ Best Building Materials

Many people build their dryers using recycled materials:
🛠️ Old refrigerators or upright freezers repurposed into solar dehydrators with added airflow modifications.
🪵 Wood and wire mesh trays stacked in a ventilated frame.
🌱 Plastic or glass covers to trap solar heat efficiently.

If you’ve built a solar food dryer, what materials did you use? Any improvements that made a big difference?
3️⃣ Climate Factors and Adaptation Strategies

Those living in humid or cloudy areas often struggle with solar drying. Some potential solutions include:
🌬️ Enhanced ventilation to increase natural airflow.
🏡 Drying food in an attic to take advantage of naturally warm conditions.
🔥 Hybrid solar-electric setups, where the sun does most of the work, but an auxiliary heat source helps on less sunny days.

If you’ve dealt with drying in humid environments, how did you solve the problem?
4️⃣ Best Foods for Solar Drying

So far, I’ve seen great results with:
🍎 Apples and pears – Sliced thin, they dry well without losing flavor.
🍅 Tomatoes – Perfect for preserving and using in winter recipes.
🌿 Herbs – Easy to dry and store for months.

Are there any foods you’ve found particularly easy or difficult to dry using solar methods?

💡 Share your experiences! If you have projects, photos, or tips, I’d love to see them. Solar drying is an ancient yet sustainable technique that’s still highly relevant today! 🌞😊