Ideas behind Permaculture-written by Elizabeth Potter

 

Your garden doesn't have to be in rows or planted by square feet. In this garden I have bananas, 4 varieties of tomatoes, yams (D. Alata), tarragon, two kinds of oregano, Basil, Turmeric, Shampoo ginger, Seminole Pumpkins, Pigeon Peas, Cranberry hibiscus, manahot (bele), belembe, Comfrey, Cardamom, sweet potatoes, two kinds of parsley (still not bolted), canna lilies, patty pan squash. Longevity Spinach and tradescantia Virginiana, alba AKA white spiderwort.
I planted it in May and didn't trellis anything or put tomato cages in. I've harvested a ton of tomatoes, squash, greens, herbs, still waiting on the pumpkins and pigeon peas. Behind all of this is a 10 foot tall trellis with Yams, Chayote, Smilax (edible), Luffa (common), basil at the base and great white flowered spiderwort.
Across the path from that is a mound of dirt happily growing about 20 aloe plants and okra at the base with blueberries running 50' along the edge of the closed canopy trees. We have lots of edible and medicinal weeds including wild cucumbers.
The shade of the gingers and bananas keep the plants that hate full sun from dying over summer. Come fall, there should be another bloom of fruit. Part of the garden plan is to make cuttings of the plants that can't take heat in June and then take cuttings of the plants that can't take cold in August. Get these plants rooted and protected for planting out later in the season.
I've used permaculture principles and design toolbox ideas to set this up. Very little watering, no fertilizing, all composting and natural materials.

​

Classes are offered frequently.  Check back to see when the next is offered.