---
title: GrowPerma Blog
---

[Skip to content](https://growperma.com/blog/all#main-content)

[![GrowPerma](https://growperma.com/hubfs/icon-512.png)](https://growperma.com/)

- [Blog](https://growperma.com/blog)
- [About](https://growperma.com/about)

[Join the Weekly Dig](https://growperma.com/newsletter)

- [Blog](https://growperma.com/blog)
- [About](https://growperma.com/about)

[Join the Weekly Dig](https://growperma.com/newsletter)

# GrowPerma Blog

Evidence-based permaculture guides, companion planting charts, and sustainable gardening strategies.

[All](https://growperma.com/blog/all) [Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting) [Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting) [Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations) [Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest) [Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture) [Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

<https://growperma.com/blog/blackberry-raspberry-trellis>

![Raspberry canes held between wires on a wooden T-trellis with ripe berries and a gardener tying a cane with soft twine](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1137-hero-berry-trellis-20260925-053040.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-1137-hero-berry-trellis-20260925-053040.webp)

25 Sep

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Blackberry and Raspberry Trellis: Dimensions by Type and How to Build One

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cucumber-trellis>

![Cucumber vines on a green A-frame trellis over a raised bed with straight cucumbers hanging and a hand picking one, pole beans on a teepee behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1136-hero-cucumber-trellis-20260924-180613.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-1136-hero-cucumber-trellis-20260924-180613.webp)

24 Sep

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Cucumber Trellis: How Tall, Which Kind, and What to Buy for Every Climber

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/best-compost-bin-picks-for-every-yard>

![Colored-pencil illustration of three backyard compost bins: a mesh ring, an enclosed bin, and a tumbler](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-compost-bin-hero.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-compost-bin-hero.webp)

15 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Best Outdoor Compost Bin: Picks by Yard Size

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/jujube-tree>

![Mature jujube tree in early autumn on a dry homestead, branches heavy with reddish-brown date-like fruit above cracked ground and a split-rail fence](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0551-hero-jujube-tree-20260908-072905.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0551-hero-jujube-tree-20260908-072905.webp)

8 Sep

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Jujube Trees: The Fruit That Thrives on Neglect

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/walking-onions>

![Clump of Egyptian walking onions with tall hollow stalks topped by purple-red bulbil clusters, several arching over to root where they touch the soil](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0550-hero-walking-onions-20260908-071512.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0550-hero-walking-onions-20260908-071512.webp)

8 Sep

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Egyptian Walking Onions: The Allium That Replants Itself

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/hydrophobic-soil>

![Water from a watering can beading and running off cracked dry garden soil instead of soaking in, beside a wilting pepper plant](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0549-hero-water-runoff-20260908-070106.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0549-hero-water-runoff-20260908-070106.webp)

8 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Hydrophobic Soil: Why Water Runs Off and How to Fix It

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-plants-for-collard-greens>

![Late autumn raised bed of frost-touched collard greens interplanted with sweet alyssum and a row of dill going to seed behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0548-hero-collard-bed-20260908-064751.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0548-hero-collard-bed-20260908-064751.webp)

8 Sep

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Collard Companion Plants: What the Evidence Supports

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/black-locust-tree>

![Mature black locust tree in full white flower beside a split-rail fence on a homestead, with honeybees working the fragrant blossoms](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0547-hero-black-locust-tree-20260908-063327.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0547-hero-black-locust-tree-20260908-063327.webp)

8 Sep

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Black Locust: Nitrogen Fixer, Fence Post, Invasive Problem

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/frost-seeding-clover>

![Late winter homestead pasture at dawn with frost-heaved ground, scattered clover seed and a broadcast spreader ready for frost seeding](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0546-hero-frost-seeding-clover-20260908-061142.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0546-hero-frost-seeding-clover-20260908-061142.webp)

8 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Frost Seeding Clover: Let Winter Plant It for You

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/humic-acid-for-plants-what-the-evidence-shows>

![Dark liquid humic acid concentrate poured into a watering can beside a garden bed, with granular humate and a heap of compost alongside for comparison](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0545-hero-humic-acid-application-20260907-145106.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0545-hero-humic-acid-application-20260907-145106.webp)

7 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Humic Acid for Plants: What the Evidence Shows

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/plants-that-attract-ladybugs>

![Red seven-spotted ladybugs feeding on flowering dill and yarrow umbels in a late summer vegetable garden with cosmos and calendula behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0544-hero-ladybugs-on-dill-20260907-143702.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0544-hero-ladybugs-on-dill-20260907-143702.webp)

7 Sep

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Plants That Attract Ladybugs (and What They Eat)

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/perennial-kale-varieties-hardiness-and-cuttings>

![Mature multi-stemmed perennial kale plant with woody base and blue-green leaves in an autumn garden bed beside smaller annual kale seedlings](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0543-hero-perennial-kale-plant-20260907-142138.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0543-hero-perennial-kale-plant-20260907-142138.webp)

7 Sep

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Perennial Kale: Varieties, Hardiness and How to Keep It Going

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/hardpan-soil-how-to-find-it-and-break-it-up>

![Gardener standing on a broadfork with tines sunk deep into a garden bed, loosened crumbly soil beside untouched compacted ground](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0542-hero-broadforking-bed-20260907-140250.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0542-hero-broadforking-bed-20260907-140250.webp)

7 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Hardpan Soil: How to Find It and Break It Up

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cold-hardy-vegetables-what-survives-frost>

![Frost-covered winter vegetable bed with Lacinato kale, leeks and Brussels sprouts at dawn, ice crystals outlining every leaf vein](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0540-hero-cold-hardy-vegetables-20260907-132838.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0540-hero-cold-hardy-vegetables-20260907-132838.webp)

7 Sep

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Cold Hardy Vegetables: What Survives Frost, and How Far Down

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/seed-bombs-how-to-make-them>

![Hands rolling a seed ball on a wooden table beside bowls of red clay powder, compost and wildflower seeds with finished balls drying](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0539-hero-making-seed-bombs-20260907-131308.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0539-hero-making-seed-bombs-20260907-131308.webp)

7 Sep

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Seed Bombs: How to Make Them, and Whether They Work

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/greensand-fertilizer-what-it-does-for-soil>

![Gardener scattering coarse blue-green greensand from a scoop over a dark autumn garden bed with an amendment sack and trowel nearby](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0541-hero-greensand-spreading-20260907-134704.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0541-hero-greensand-spreading-20260907-134704.webp)

7 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Greensand Fertilizer: What It Actually Does for Soil

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/serviceberry-native-fruit-tree>

![Mature multi-stemmed serviceberry tree loaded with purple-blue berries in a backyard food forest with a cedar waxwing perched among the fruit](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0537-hero-serviceberry-tree-20260907-124311.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0537-hero-serviceberry-tree-20260907-124311.webp)

7 Sep

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Serviceberry: The Native Fruit Tree Nobody Harvests

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/soil-solarization-vs-tarping>

![Backyard vegetable bed covered in taut clear plastic for soil solarization with condensation underneath and productive beds alongside](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0538-hero-solarization-bed-20260907-125835.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0538-hero-solarization-bed-20260907-125835.webp)

7 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Soil Solarization vs Tarping: Which One Clears Your Bed

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/shea-tree-west-african-parkland-farming>

![Mature shea trees with broad crowns scattered across a field of ripening sorghum and millet in northern Ghana at golden hour](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0534-hero-shea-parkland-ghana-20260907-113122.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0534-hero-shea-parkland-ghana-20260907-113122.webp)

7 Sep

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Shea Tree: Keystone of West African Parkland Farming

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/how-a-composting-toilet-works>

![Wooden self-contained composting toilet in a tidy off-grid cabin bathroom with a sawdust bucket and vent pipe running through the ceiling](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0536-hero-composting-toilet-cabin-20260907-122916.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0536-hero-composting-toilet-cabin-20260907-122916.webp)

7 Sep

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## How a Composting Toilet Works, and What It Really Costs

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/shade-grown-coffee-what-the-canopy-does>

![Coffee shrubs heavy with red cherries growing beneath a high open canopy of Inga trees on a misty Central American hillside](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0535-hero-shade-coffee-canopy-20260907-120423.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0535-hero-shade-coffee-canopy-20260907-120423.webp)

7 Sep

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Shade Grown Coffee: What the Canopy Actually Does

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/milpa-maya-growing-system>

![Maya milpa field in the Yucatan with tall maize, climbing beans and sprawling squash, chile and papaya at the edge and tropical forest behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0533-hero-20260903-073927.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0533-hero-20260903-073927.webp)

3 Sep

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Milpa: The Maya Growing System Behind the Three Sisters

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/pigeon-pea-syntropic-nitrogen-fixer>

![Tall pigeon pea shrub with yellow flowers and green pods growing between young banana plants and a papaya in a syntropic Florida garden](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0532-hero-20260903-072405.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0532-hero-20260903-072405.webp)

3 Sep

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Pigeon Pea: The Nitrogen-Fixing Shrub at the Heart of Syntropic Systems

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/overwintering-peppers>

![Gardener carrying a potted pepper plant loaded with red jalapeños and green bell peppers from a frosty autumn garden into a bright kitchen](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0531-hero-20260903-071115.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0531-hero-20260903-071115.webp)

3 Sep

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Overwintering Peppers: How to Keep Pepper Plants Alive Until Spring

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/terra-preta-amazon-dark-earth>

![Cross-section of black Amazonian terra preta soil with pottery shards and charcoal beside pale orange tropical clay under manioc and papaya plants](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0530-hero-20260903-065734.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0530-hero-20260903-065734.webp)

3 Sep

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Terra Preta: What the Amazon's Dark Earth Teaches Modern Gardeners

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/sunchokes-jerusalem-artichokes-growing-guide>

![Tall stand of flowering sunchoke plants along a homestead fence in early October with a crate of freshly dug knobby tubers in front](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0529-hero-20260903-064439.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0529-hero-20260903-064439.webp)

3 Sep

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Sunchokes (Jerusalem Artichokes): How to Grow, Harvest and Keep Them in Bounds

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/hoop-house-basics>

![Small backyard hoop house of curved metal bows and clear plastic film in a fall vegetable garden with kale and lettuce inside](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0528-hero-20260903-062620.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0528-hero-20260903-062620.webp)

3 Sep

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Hoop House Basics: How to Build One and How Much It Really Protects

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-arugula>

![Autumn raised bed with a dense band of young arugula growing between rows of kale and carrot tops in golden morning light](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0525-hero-20260902-064850.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0525-hero-20260902-064850.webp)

2 Sep

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Arugula: What to Grow Beside a Fast Fall Green

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/soil-moisture-meters-what-they-measure>

![Two-prong analogue soil moisture meter with a dial pushed into a terracotta pot on a potting bench beside a trowel and watering can](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0526-hero-20260902-065433.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0526-hero-20260902-065433.webp)

2 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Soil Moisture Meters: What the Cheap Ones Actually Measure

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/row-cover-how-many-degrees>

![Autumn vegetable garden at dawn with white floating row cover over hoops on two beds and frost on the surrounding grass](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0527-hero-20260902-070114.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0527-hero-20260902-070114.webp)

2 Sep

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Row Cover: How Many Degrees It Really Buys You

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/topsoil-vs-compost-vs-garden-soil>

![Three piles side by side in an autumn garden: dark finished compost, mineral screened topsoil and bagged garden soil with a spade](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0523-hero-20260902-063146.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0523-hero-20260902-063146.webp)

2 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Topsoil vs Compost vs Garden Soil: Which One Your Beds Actually Need

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/soil-jar-test-sand-silt-clay>

![Mason jar of settled garden soil on a windowsill showing distinct sand, silt and clay bands with pencil marks on masking tape](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0524-hero-20260902-063954.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0524-hero-20260902-063954.webp)

2 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## The Soil Jar Test: Find Your Sand, Silt and Clay in One Evening

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/vertical-vegetable-garden-companion-planting>

![Balcony vertical vegetable garden with an A-frame trellis of climbing pole beans and cucumbers above pots of lettuce and parsley](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0522-hero-20260902-060908.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0522-hero-20260902-060908.webp)

2 Sep

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Vertical Vegetable Garden: Companion Planting When You Grow Up, Not Out

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/soil-blocking-how-to-start-seeds-without-plastic-pots>

![Tray of freshly made soil blocks standing free without pots beside a steel hand blocker on a potting bench](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0521-hero-tray-of-soil-blocks-20260901-072117.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0521-hero-tray-of-soil-blocks-20260901-072117.webp)

1 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Soil Blocker Guide: Sizes, Mix Recipes and Common Mistakes

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/winter-sowing-how-to-start-seeds-outdoors-in-milk-jugs>

![Row of cut and taped milk jugs used as winter sowing containers standing on snowy ground beside a bare winter garden bed](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0520-hero-milk-jugs-in-snow-20260901-071247.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0520-hero-milk-jugs-in-snow-20260901-071247.webp)

1 Sep

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Winter Sowing: How to Start Seeds Outdoors in Milk Jugs

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/squash-vine-borer-how-to-stop-it-before-the-vine-collapses>

![Collapsed zucchini plant with wilted leaves and a mound of sawdust-like frass at an entry hole in the stem base](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0519-hero-wilted-squash-frass-at-base-20260901-065612.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0519-hero-wilted-squash-frass-at-base-20260901-065612.webp)

1 Sep

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Squash Vine Borer: How to Stop It Before the Vine Collapses

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/shaduf-how-ancient-egypts-water-lever-still-works-today>

![Farmer working a shaduf on the bank of the Nile at golden hour, swinging a counterweighted pole to lift water into a channel](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0518-hero-shaduf-on-the-nile-20260901-064200.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0518-hero-shaduf-on-the-nile-20260901-064200.webp)

1 Sep

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Shaduf: How Ancient Egypt's Water Lever Still Works Today

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/alfalfa-meal-what-it-does-for-plants-and-how-to-use-it>

![Gardener's cupped hands holding coarse green-brown alfalfa meal above a prepared autumn garden bed](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0517-hero-alfalfa-meal-in-hands-20260901-062842.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0517-hero-alfalfa-meal-in-hands-20260901-062842.webp)

1 Sep

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Alfalfa Meal: What It Does for Plants and How to Use It

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/what-to-grow-in-a-greenhouse-crops-pairings-and-what-to-skip>

![Home greenhouse interior with staked tomatoes, basil, climbing cucumbers and a band of lettuce and spinach at the cooler front end](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0516-hero-what-to-grow-in-a-greenhouse-20260901-060928.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0516-hero-what-to-grow-in-a-greenhouse-20260901-060928.webp)

1 Sep

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## What to Grow in a Greenhouse: Crops, Pairings and What to Skip

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/frost-protection-for-plants-what-works-at-each-degree-of-cold>

![Frosted vegetable garden at dawn with beds under white row cover on hoops beside one uncovered bed showing frost-blackened foliage](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0514-hero-20260831-072953.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0514-hero-20260831-072953.webp)

31 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Frost Protection for Plants: What Works at Each Degree of Cold

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/community-garden-plot-planning-companion-planting-in-a-shared-bed>

![Community garden in high summer with staked tomatoes, bean trellises and lettuce blocks across several neighboring plots](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0513-hero-20260831-071619.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0513-hero-20260831-071619.webp)

31 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Community Garden Plot Planning: Companion Planting in a Shared Bed

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/shredding-leaves-for-compost-tools-particle-size-and-speed>

![Gardener running a mulching mower over a drift of fall leaves, shredded fragments arcing into a waiting bin](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0512-hero-20260831-070304.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0512-hero-20260831-070304.webp)

31 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Shredding Leaves for Compost: Tools, Particle Size and Speed

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/soil-health-indicators-what-to-measure-and-how-to-read-it>

![Gardener examining a spadeful of dark crumbly soil for structure and roots, with a jar, wire flag and notebook beside them](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0515-hero-20260831-064952.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0515-hero-20260831-064952.webp)

31 Aug

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Soil Health Indicators: What to Measure and How to Read It

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/top-dressing-with-compost-how-much-when-and-why>

![Gardener spreading a layer of dark finished compost across a raised vegetable bed with a flat shovel in late summer](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0509-hero-20260831-061247.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0509-hero-20260831-061247.webp)

31 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Top Dressing With Compost: How Much, When and Why It Works

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/when-to-prune-fruit-trees-timing-by-species-and-zone>

![Home orchardist making a pruning cut on a bare apple tree with loppers on a frosty late-winter morning](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0510-hero-20260831-063453.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0510-hero-20260831-063453.webp)

31 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## When to Prune Fruit Trees, by Species and Climate Zone

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/bare-root-fruit-trees>

![Bundle of dormant bare root fruit trees on damp burlap beside a freshly dug planting hole in a late autumn garden](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0508-hero-20260828-072257.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0508-hero-20260828-072257.webp)

28 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Bare Root Fruit Trees: Timing, Planting and First-Year Care

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-in-new-zealand-pacific-island-design>

![Terraced New Zealand smallholding garden of kumara and greens sheltered by flax and cabbage trees above a distant harbour](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0507-hero-20260828-071116.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0507-hero-20260828-071116.webp)

28 Aug

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Permaculture in New Zealand: Pacific Island Design

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/garden-soil-vs-potting-soil>

![Two open bags on a potting bench, one of dense dark garden soil and one of light fluffy potting mix flecked with perlite](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0506-hero-20260828-070002.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0506-hero-20260828-070002.webp)

28 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Garden Soil vs Potting Soil: Which Bag Goes Where

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/loam-soil>

![Gardener's hands crumbling dark loam soil into rounded crumbs over a raised vegetable bed with autumn brassicas behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0505-hero-20260828-064724.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0505-hero-20260828-064724.webp)

28 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Loam Soil: What It Actually Is and How to Build It

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/grass-clippings-compost>

![Backyard compost bay layered with green grass clippings and brown shredded autumn leaves, garden fork standing in the heap](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0504-hero-20260828-063611.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0504-hero-20260828-063611.webp)

28 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Grass Clippings Compost: How to Use Them Without the Slime

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-in-scotland-northern-maritime-design>

![Sheltered Scottish coastal kitchen garden with raised beds of kale and blackcurrants behind a mixed alder and sea buckthorn shelterbelt](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0503-hero-20260828-061616.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0503-hero-20260828-061616.webp)

28 Aug

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Permaculture in Scotland: Northern Maritime Design

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/syntropic-agriculture-in-the-mediterranean>

![Syntropic planting row on a dry Mediterranean hillside with olive and fig among tagasaste pioneers, deep mulch and a contour swale above](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0502-hero-mediterranean-row-20260827-072655.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0502-hero-mediterranean-row-20260827-072655.webp)

27 Aug

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Syntropic Agriculture in the Mediterranean

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/syntropic-agriculture-year-1-what-to-expect>

![Newly planted syntropic row in its first summer with sunflowers and sorghum over young fruit tree whips and squash and beans below](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0501-hero-first-year-row-20260827-071357.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0501-hero-first-year-row-20260827-071357.webp)

27 Aug

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Syntropic Agriculture Year 1: What to Expect

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-in-nepal-mountain-terrace-farming>

![Nepali middle-hill terraces stepping down a steep valley side with flooded rice benches, dry millet terraces and farmhouses among fodder trees](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0499-hero-nepal-terraces-20260827-065152.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0499-hero-nepal-terraces-20260827-065152.webp)

27 Aug

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Permaculture in Nepal: Mountain Terrace Farming

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/colorado-potato-beetle-timing-hand-picking-and-trap-crops>

![Adult Colorado potato beetle with ten black stripes on cream wing covers sitting on a chewed potato leaf above orange larvae](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0498-hero-adult-beetle-20260827-063945.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0498-hero-adult-beetle-20260827-063945.webp)

27 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Colorado Potato Beetle: Timing, Hand-Picking and Trap Crops

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/leaf-miners-what-those-squiggly-trails-actually-mean>

![Swiss chard leaf backlit by morning sun showing a pale winding serpentine leaf miner tunnel across the green blade](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0497-hero-chard-mine-20260827-062740.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0497-hero-chard-mine-20260827-062740.webp)

27 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Leaf Miners: What Those Squiggly Trails Actually Mean

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cabbage-worms-how-to-identify-stop-and-prevent-them>

![Cabbage worm feeding damage on a green cabbage head with a velvety green caterpillar visible among chewed outer leaves](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0496-hero-cabbage-damage-20260826-070808-1.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0496-hero-cabbage-damage-20260826-070808-1.webp)

27 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Cabbage Worms: How to Identify, Stop and Prevent Them

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/flea-beetle-control-stopping-the-shot-hole-damage>

![Raised bed of young arugula and mustard greens with leaves peppered by tiny round flea beetle shot-holes in early summer light](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0495-hero-shot-hole-greens-20260826-064343.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0495-hero-shot-hole-greens-20260826-064343.webp)

26 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Flea Beetle Control: Stopping the Shot-Hole Damage

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cutworms-how-to-spot-the-damage-and-stop-it>

![Spring vegetable bed at dawn with young transplants standing and two seedlings toppled and severed at the soil line by cutworms](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0494-hero-clipped-seedlings-20260826-063117.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0494-hero-clipped-seedlings-20260826-063117.webp)

26 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Cutworms: How to Spot the Damage and Stop It

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cucumber-beetles-how-to-stop-them-before-they-wreck-your-squash>

![Late summer backyard garden with cucumber and squash vines on a wooden trellis, leaves showing ragged cucumber beetle feeding holes and open yellow blossoms](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0493-hero-cucumber-beetle-garden-20260826-061428.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0493-hero-cucumber-beetle-garden-20260826-061428.webp)

26 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Cucumber Beetles: Stop Them Before They Wreck Your Squash

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cut-flower-garden-layout-companions-and-what-to-grow>

![A backyard cutting garden in high summer with dense rows of zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, dahlias and celosia and a basket of freshly cut stems](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0492-hero-cutting-garden-20260825-071955.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0492-hero-cutting-garden-20260825-071955.webp)

25 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Cut Flower Garden: Layout, Companions and What to Grow

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/pine-bark-mulch-nuggets-fines-and-which-one-you-need>

![A garden bed freshly mulched with reddish-brown pine bark around hostas, hydrangeas and a young Japanese maple, with a wheelbarrow of nuggets nearby](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0491-hero-pine-bark-bed-20260825-070608.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0491-hero-pine-bark-bed-20260825-070608.webp)

25 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Pine Bark Mulch: Nuggets, Fines, and Which One You Need

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/coco-coir-vs-peat-moss-what-should-be-in-your-potting-mix>

![A potting bench with a compressed coco coir brick, an expanded bucket of coir fiber and an open bale of dark sphagnum peat moss](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0490-hero-coir-brick-and-peat-20260825-065116.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0490-hero-coir-brick-and-peat-20260825-065116.webp)

25 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Coco Coir vs Peat Moss: What Should Be in Your Potting Mix

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/honeyberry-haskap-how-to-grow-the-first-berry-of-summer>

![Two honeyberry bushes laden with elongated dark blue haskap berries in a northern garden with birch trees behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0489-hero-honeyberry-bushes-20260825-064020.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0489-hero-honeyberry-bushes-20260825-064020.webp)

25 Aug

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Honeyberry (Haskap): How to Grow the First Berry of Summer

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-tomatillos-salsa-garden-design>

![A backyard salsa garden bed with two tomatillo plants in husk, chili peppers, cilantro, onions and a staked tomato in late summer sun](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0488-hero-salsa-garden-bed-20260825-062700.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0488-hero-salsa-garden-bed-20260825-062700.webp)

25 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Tomatillos: A Salsa Garden That Works

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/perlite-vs-vermiculite-which-one-your-soil-needs>

![Two open sacks on a potting bench, one of white perlite granules and one of golden vermiculite flakes, beside a tray of seedlings](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0487-hero-perlite-vermiculite-sacks-20260825-061137.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0487-hero-perlite-vermiculite-sacks-20260825-061137.webp)

25 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Perlite vs Vermiculite: Which One Your Soil Actually Needs

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cold-frames-how-to-build-one-and-keep-growing-through-winter>

![Wooden cold frame in a winter garden with the lid propped open showing spinach, mache and kale growing inside](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0483-hero-cold-frame-winter-20260824-082314.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0483-hero-cold-frame-winter-20260824-082314.webp)

24 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Cold Frames: How to Build One and Keep Growing Through Winter

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/vole-control-how-to-stop-vole-damage-without-poison>

![Vole runways in a lawn after snowmelt beside a young apple tree with bark gnawed away at the base](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0484-hero-vole-damage-runways-20260824-083355.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0484-hero-vole-damage-runways-20260824-083355.webp)

24 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Vole Control: How to Stop Vole Damage Without Poison

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/plants-that-repel-mosquitoes-what-works-and-what-does-not>

![Summer patio with terracotta pots of lemongrass, catnip and basil, a hand crushing a leaf and a small fan on the table](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0486-hero-patio-herbs-20260824-085351.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0486-hero-patio-herbs-20260824-085351.webp)

24 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Plants That Repel Mosquitoes: What Works and What Does Not

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/forest-farming-growing-crops-under-a-standing-canopy>

![Managed hardwood woodlot with shiitake logs on a rack, a patch of ramps and ginseng plants growing in dappled shade](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0485-hero-forest-farming-20260824-084343.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0485-hero-forest-farming-20260824-084343.webp)

24 Aug

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Forest Farming: Growing Crops Under a Standing Canopy

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/seed-stratification-how-to-cold-treat-seeds-that-refuse-to-sprout>

![Kitchen table seed stratification setup with labelled bags of damp sand, tree and wildflower seed, and a refrigerator behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0482-hero-seed-stratification-20260824-080351.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0482-hero-seed-stratification-20260824-080351.webp)

24 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Seed Stratification: How to Cold-Treat Seeds That Refuse to Sprout

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/how-to-plant-a-hedgerow-a-living-boundary-for-food-and-wildlife>

![Mixed native hedgerow in late spring along a property boundary with flowering elderberry and serviceberry, bees and a songbird](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0481-hero-hedgerow-planting-20260824-075141.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0481-hero-hedgerow-planting-20260824-075141.webp)

24 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## How to Plant a Hedgerow: A Living Boundary for Food and Wildlife

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/raised-bed-vs-in-ground>

![Backyard garden showing timber raised beds planted with salad near the house alongside open in-ground rows of potatoes and sweetcorn](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1135-vs-hero.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-1135-vs-hero.webp)

21 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Raised Bed vs In-Ground: Which and When

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/how-deep-should-a-raised-bed-be>

![Cutaway of a raised bed showing lettuce, carrot and asparagus roots reaching progressively deeper, with the deepest roots passing through the base into the ground below](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1131-depth-hero.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-1131-depth-hero.webp)

21 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## How Deep Should a Raised Bed Be? Depth by Crop

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/raised-bed-drainage>

![Cutaway of a timber raised bed sitting directly on open garden soil, with roots and worms crossing freely between the bed and the ground below](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1134-drainage-hero.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-1134-drainage-hero.webp)

21 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Raised Bed Drainage: Do You Actually Need It?

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-layout-planner-design-your-garden-bed>

![Top-down view of a 4 by 8 foot raised garden bed with companion planting layout featuring tall tomatoes on the north edge, basil and parsley clustered around them, gridded carrot and lettuce blocks, and marigolds and nasturtiums at the corners](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0123-companion-layout-hero.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0123-companion-layout-hero.webp)

21 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Raised Bed Garden Layouts: 6 Plans That Actually Work

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/building-raised-bed-soil-mix-the-perfect-recipe>

![A gardener filling a wooden raised garden bed with rich dark soil mix from a wheelbarrow with compost and vermiculite nearby, a pencil-crayon illustration](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0326-hero-raisedbed-20260713-070738.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0326-hero-raisedbed-20260713-070738.webp)

21 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Best Soil for Raised Garden Beds: 4 Options Compared

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/living-fence-how-to-grow-a-boundary-that-grows-back>

![A living willow fence along a garden boundary, freshly planted rods woven into a diagonal lattice and tied at the crossings with new leaves breaking](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0480-hero-20260821-072441.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0480-hero-20260821-072441.webp)

21 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Living Fence: How to Grow a Boundary That Grows Back

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/insectary-plants-what-to-grow-to-bring-in-predators>

![A vegetable garden bed edged with a flowering insectary strip of sweet alyssum, yarrow and phacelia with hoverflies and a ladybug among the blooms](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0479-hero-20260821-071040.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0479-hero-20260821-071040.webp)

21 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Insectary Plants: What to Grow to Bring In the Predators

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/alley-cropping-growing-crops-between-rows-of-trees>

![A midwestern farm field in alley cropping, with widely spaced rows of young walnut trees and broad alleys of golden wheat between them](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0478-hero-20260821-065450.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0478-hero-20260821-065450.webp)

21 Aug

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Alley Cropping: Growing Crops Between Rows of Trees

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/compost-pile-layers-what-actually-matters>

![A backyard compost pile in a wooden bin cut open to show layers of coarse brush, dry leaves and green kitchen scraps with a garden fork](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0477-hero-20260821-064424.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0477-hero-20260821-064424.webp)

21 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Compost Pile Layers: What Actually Matters

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/pollarding-how-to-cut-a-tree-and-keep-it-coming-back>

![A row of pollarded willow trees in late winter, each with a knobbly trunk topped by a knuckle sending up dozens of slender new shoots](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0476-hero-20260821-063417.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0476-hero-20260821-063417.webp)

21 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Pollarding: How to Cut a Tree and Keep It Coming Back

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/clover-lawn-how-to-plant-one-and-live-with-it>

![A suburban front yard planted as a white clover lawn, dense green trifoliate foliage dotted with white blossoms and visiting bees](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0475-hero-20260821-061239.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0475-hero-20260821-061239.webp)

21 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Clover Lawn: How to Plant One and Live With It

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/best-wood-for-raised-garden-beds>

![Newly built cedar raised garden bed with thick boards and visible grain, part filled with dark soil and young vegetable seedlings](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1129-best-wood-raised-beds-hero.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-1129-best-wood-raised-beds-hero.webp)

20 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Best Wood for Raised Garden Beds (And When to Skip Wood)

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/raised-bed-gardening-the-permaculture-way>

![Thriving backyard permaculture garden built around several raised beds of different heights, densely planted with vegetables and herbs](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1130-raised-bed-gardening-hero.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-1130-raised-bed-gardening-hero.webp)

20 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Raised Bed Gardening the Permaculture Way

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/best-raised-garden-beds>

![Several styles of raised garden bed in a backyard garden: tall oval galvanised metal, low rectangular metal and cedar timber, all planted](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1128-best-raised-beds-hero.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-1128-best-raised-beds-hero.webp)

20 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Best Raised Garden Beds: A Permaculture Buyer's Guide

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/how-to-fill-a-raised-garden-bed>

![Galvanised raised garden bed part filled in layers, showing logs at the base, rough compost above and finished growing soil on top](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1127-fill-raised-bed-hero-v2.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-1127-fill-raised-bed-hero-v2.webp)

20 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## How to Fill a Raised Garden Bed (Without Buying 40 Bags)

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/maggots-in-compost-pile-what-they-are-and-what-to-do>

![Open backyard compost bin showing kitchen scraps with pale larvae among them and a gardener holding a fork ready to turn the pile](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0473-hero-compost-larvae-20260820-070535.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0473-hero-compost-larvae-20260820-070535.webp)

20 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Maggots in Your Compost Pile: What They Are and What to Do

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/drip-irrigation-vegetable-garden-setup-spacing-and-run-times>

![Backyard vegetable garden with black drip tubing running along beds of tomatoes and lettuce, with a filter and pressure regulator at the hose bib](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0472-hero-drip-garden-20260820-065326.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0472-hero-drip-garden-20260820-065326.webp)

20 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Drip Irrigation for a Vegetable Garden: Setup, Spacing and Run Times

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/mulch-for-raised-garden-beds-what-to-use-and-how-deep>

![Wooden raised garden bed planted with tomatoes and lettuce under an even layer of golden straw mulch pulled back from each stem](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0471-hero-straw-mulched-bed-20260820-064117.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0471-hero-straw-mulched-bed-20260820-064117.webp)

20 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Mulch for Raised Garden Beds: What to Use and How Deep

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/leek-companion-plants-what-to-grow-beside-leeks>

![Autumn vegetable bed with a row of tall blue-green leeks growing beside feathery carrot tops and lettuce, with straw mulch between the rows](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0470-hero-leek-companions-20260820-063126.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0470-hero-leek-companions-20260820-063126.webp)

20 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Leek Companion Plants: What to Grow Beside Leeks

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/silvopasture-grazing-livestock-among-trees-on-small-acreage>

![Widely spaced oak and honey locust trees over open pasture with cattle and sheep grazing in dappled shade in a managed silvopasture](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0474-hero-silvopasture-20260820-071601.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0474-hero-silvopasture-20260820-071601.webp)

20 Aug

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Silvopasture: Grazing Livestock Among Trees on Small Acreage

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/wicking-beds-how-to-build-a-self-watering-garden-bed>

![Cutaway view of a timber wicking bed showing the gravel water reservoir, fabric layer, soil and vertical fill pipe, planted with lettuce and tomatoes](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0469-hero-wicking-bed-20260820-061449.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0469-hero-wicking-bed-20260820-061449.webp)

20 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Wicking Beds: How to Build a Self-Watering Garden Bed

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/kohlrabi-companion-plants-partners-for-the-overlooked-brassica>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of green and purple kohlrabi interplanted with red lettuce, beets, and onions in a garden bed](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0465-hero-kohlrabi-companions-20260819-064909.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0465-hero-kohlrabi-companions-20260819-064909.webp)

19 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Kohlrabi Companion Plants: Partners for the Overlooked Brassica

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/walipini-the-underground-greenhouse-that-grows-food-all-winter>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a walipini underground greenhouse with sloped glazing glowing with green plants in a snowy landscape](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0468-hero-walipini-winter-20260819-072308.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0468-hero-walipini-winter-20260819-072308.webp)

19 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Walipini: The Underground Greenhouse That Grows Food All Winter

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/coppicing-the-ancient-cut-that-makes-trees-grow-back-stronger>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a coppiced hazel stool with young straight shoots, cut poles, and a billhook in a woodland clearing](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0467-hero-coppiced-hazel-stool-20260819-071240.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0467-hero-coppiced-hazel-stool-20260819-071240.webp)

19 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Coppicing: The Ancient Cut That Makes Trees Grow Back Stronger

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/espalier-fruit-trees-small-space-training-for-real-harvests>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of an espaliered apple tree trained in horizontal tiers against a brick wall with red apples](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0466-hero-espalier-apple-wall-20260819-070148.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0466-hero-espalier-apple-wall-20260819-070148.webp)

19 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Espalier Fruit Trees: Small-Space Training for Real Harvests

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/brussels-sprouts-companion-plants-best-and-worst-neighbors>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of frosted Brussels sprout stalks in an autumn garden with sage and onion companion plants](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0464-hero-brussels-sprouts-companions-20260819-063844.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0464-hero-brussels-sprouts-companions-20260819-063844.webp)

19 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Brussels Sprouts Companion Plants: Best and Worst Neighbors

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cabbage-companion-plants-what-to-grow-and-avoid-nearby>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a cabbage patch with dill, nasturtium, and onion companion plants in morning light](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0463-hero-cabbage-companion-plants-20260819-061329.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0463-hero-cabbage-companion-plants-20260819-061329.webp)

19 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Cabbage Companion Plants: What to Grow (and Avoid) Nearby

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/composting-tea-bags-which-ones-break-down>

![Open kitchen compost caddy holding used tea bags, loose tea leaves, coffee grounds and vegetable peelings, with one torn-open bag beside it](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0462-hero-tea-bags-compost-caddy-20260818-070025.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0462-hero-tea-bags-compost-caddy-20260818-070025.webp)

18 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Composting Tea Bags: Which Ones Break Down and Which Do Not

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/what-is-a-permaculture-farm-scale-layout-and-economics>

![Working permaculture farm on rolling land with a market garden, contour rows of fruit and nut trees, a pond and free-ranging chickens](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0461-hero-permaculture-farm-overview-20260818-065451.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0461-hero-permaculture-farm-overview-20260818-065451.webp)

18 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## What Is a Permaculture Farm? Scale, Layout and Economics

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-cauliflower-brassica-bed-plans>

![Fall vegetable bed with three large cauliflower plants, leaves tied over white curds, beside a row of onions and an edging of lettuce](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0460-hero-cauliflower-brassica-bed-20260818-064941.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0460-hero-cauliflower-brassica-bed-20260818-064941.webp)

18 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Cauliflower: Brassica Bed Plans

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/okra-companion-plants-what-to-grow-alongside-it>

![Summer Southern vegetable bed with tall flowering okra plants behind lower rows of sweet potato vine and bushy pepper plants](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0459-hero-okra-companion-bed-20260818-064435.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0459-hero-okra-companion-bed-20260818-064435.webp)

18 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Okra Companion Plants: What to Grow Alongside It

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/when-to-prune-berry-bushes-timing-by-type-and-zone>

![Freshly pruned backyard berry patch in late winter with bare blueberry stems, cut raspberry canes and a pile of prunings on frosted soil](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0458-hero-pruned-berry-patch-winter-20260818-063254.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0458-hero-pruned-berry-patch-winter-20260818-063254.webp)

18 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## When to Prune Berry Bushes: Timing by Type and Zone

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/rhubarb-companion-plants-perennial-bed-partners>

![Backyard rhubarb patch with three mature crowns, a border of flowering chives and a spreading mat of strawberry plants in early summer](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0457-hero-rhubarb-companion-bed-20260818-061246.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0457-hero-rhubarb-companion-bed-20260818-061246.webp)

18 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Rhubarb Companion Plants: Perennial Bed Partners

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-for-clay-soil-gardens>

![Garden bed on heavy clay showing cracked bare clay beside the same bed improved with compost and planted with cabbage seedlings](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0456-hero-clay-soil-20260817-072251.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0456-hero-clay-soil-20260817-072251.webp)

17 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting for Clay Soil Gardens

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/mulching-in-fall-depth-materials-and-timing>

![Gardener spreading shredded leaf mulch around dormant perennial crowns in a frosted late autumn garden bed](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0455-hero-fall-mulching-20260817-071628.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0455-hero-fall-mulching-20260817-071628.webp)

17 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Mulching in Fall: Depth, Materials and Timing

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/chinese-chestnut-trees-in-food-forests>

![Mature Chinese chestnut tree in early autumn with spiny burs splitting open and glossy brown nuts scattered on the grass below](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0454-hero-chinese-chestnut-20260817-070411.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0454-hero-chinese-chestnut-20260817-070411.webp)

17 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Chinese Chestnut Trees in Food Forests: Planting, Spacing and Yield

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/analog-forestry-vs-syntropic-agriculture>

![Split illustration contrasting a layered analog forest with a densely planted syntropic row system with pruned branches mulched between rows](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0450-hero-analog-vs-syntropic-20260817-064519.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0450-hero-analog-vs-syntropic-20260817-064519.webp)

17 Aug

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Analog Forestry vs Syntropic Agriculture

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cover-crops-for-fall-what-to-sow-after-harvest>

![Gardener broadcasting cover crop seed over a cleared autumn vegetable bed with young cereal rye greening the neighbouring strip](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0448-hero-cover-crops-fall-20260817-062835.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0448-hero-cover-crops-fall-20260817-062835.webp)

17 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Cover Crops for Fall: What to Sow After Harvest

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/when-to-plant-garlic-fall-planting-windows-by-zone>

![Gardener pressing garlic cloves into dark autumn soil beside a basket of hardneck garlic bulbs and fallen leaves](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0447-hero-when-to-plant-garlic-20260817-060916.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0447-hero-when-to-plant-garlic-20260817-060916.webp)

17 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## When to Plant Garlic: Fall Planting Windows by Zone

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/syntropic-agriculture-in-humid-subtropical-zones>

![Dense syntropic agroforestry row in a humid subtropical climate with banana, papaya, mulberry and moringa above thick freshly cut mulch](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0446-hero-syntropic-row-humid-20260813-180107.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0446-hero-syntropic-row-humid-20260813-180107.webp)

14 Aug

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Syntropic Agriculture in Humid Subtropical Zones

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/printable-companion-planting-chart-for-your-garden-shed>

![Printed companion planting chart pinned to a weathered wooden garden shed wall beside hanging hand tools and terracotta pots](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0444-hero-chart-on-shed-wall-20260813-173648.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0444-hero-chart-on-shed-wall-20260813-173648.webp)

13 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Printable Companion Planting Chart for Your Garden Shed

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/subtropical-food-forest-southeast-us-design>

![Layered subtropical Florida food forest with mango and avocado canopy, banana and papaya beneath, guava shrubs and sweet potato ground cover](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0445-hero-subtropical-food-forest-20260813-174723.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0445-hero-subtropical-food-forest-20260813-174723.webp)

13 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Subtropical Food Forest: Southeast US Design

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/syntropic-agriculture-in-urban-settings>

![Narrow city backyard planted in layers with a dwarf fruit tree, berry shrubs and herbs between brick apartment buildings](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0443-hero-urban-layered-lot-20260813-172547.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0443-hero-urban-layered-lot-20260813-172547.webp)

13 Aug

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Syntropic Agriculture in Urban Settings

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-apps-are-they-worth-it>

![Gardener beside a raised vegetable bed holding a smartphone showing a grid garden plan, comparing it to tomatoes and marigolds growing in the bed](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0442-hero-planning-app-garden-20260813-171009.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0442-hero-planning-app-garden-20260813-171009.webp)

13 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Apps: Are They Worth It?

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/how-to-winterize-raised-garden-beds>

![Three cedar raised garden beds covered with golden straw mulch under morning frost in a late autumn backyard vegetable garden](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0441-hero-winterize-raised-beds-20260813-162140.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0441-hero-winterize-raised-beds-20260813-162140.webp)

13 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## How to Winterize Raised Garden Beds: Fall Soil Prep

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/tillage-radish-cover-crop-for-compacted-soil>

![Illustrated cross-section of a tillage radish cover crop taproot drilling down through topsoil into a compacted clay subsoil layer](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-images/gp-0441-hero-20260811-100959.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0441-hero-20260811-100959.webp)

11 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Tillage Radish: Cover Crop for Compacted Soil

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/leaf-mold-how-to-make-it-from-fall-leaves>

![Wire mesh leaf bin filled with fallen maple and oak leaves beside a second bin of dark finished leaf mold in an autumn garden](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0440-hero-20260810-072426.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0440-hero-20260810-072426.webp)

10 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Leaf Mold: Turn Fall Leaves Into Free Soil Conditioner

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/food-forest-irrigation-drip-systems-for-fruit-trees>

![Backyard food forest with a drip irrigation line circling a young apple tree at the dripline, wetting the wood chip mulch](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0439-hero-20260810-071430.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0439-hero-20260810-071430.webp)

10 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Drip Irrigation for Fruit Trees: Emitters and What to Buy

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/raised-bed-soil-refresh-what-to-amend-each-year>

![Wooden raised garden bed in early spring with settled soil below the top boards and a wheelbarrow of dark compost alongside](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0438-hero-20260810-064851.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0438-hero-20260810-064851.webp)

10 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Raised Bed Soil Refresh: What to Amend Each Year

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/best-plants-for-window-boxes>

![Wooden window box below a sunny apartment window planted with trailing thyme, basil, parsley and a compact cherry tomato](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0437-hero-20260810-063820.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0437-hero-20260810-063820.webp)

10 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Best Plants for Window Boxes: What Actually Grows Together

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cherry-tree-guild-what-to-plant-under-a-cherry-tree>

![Backyard cherry tree underplanted with a guild of comfrey, white clover and daffodils inside a wood chip mulch ring](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0436-hero-20260810-062612.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0436-hero-20260810-062612.webp)

10 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Cherry Tree Guild: What to Plant Under a Cherry Tree

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/native-plants-for-pollinator-garden-regional-guide>

![Native pollinator border of coneflower, black-eyed Susan and goldenrod blooming beside a raised vegetable bed with bees and a monarch butterfly](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0435-hero-20260810-060921.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0435-hero-20260810-060921.webp)

10 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Native Plants for a Pollinator Garden: Regional Guide

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/root-cellar-basics-storing-your-harvest-without-electricity>

![Interior of a traditional root cellar with slatted shelves of apples, crates of potatoes, hanging onions and garlic and winter squash on a bench](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0434-hero-root-cellar-interior-20260807-075416.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0434-hero-root-cellar-interior-20260807-075416.webp)

7 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Root Cellar Basics: Storing Your Harvest Without Electricity

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/fall-tree-planting-why-autumn-beats-spring>

![Gardener planting a young bare-root fruit tree in a wide shallow autumn planting hole with mulch and a watering bucket nearby](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0433-hero-fall-tree-planting-20260807-073653.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0433-hero-fall-tree-planting-20260807-073653.webp)

7 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Fall Tree Planting: Why Autumn Beats Spring (and When It Doesn't)

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cation-exchange-capacity-why-it-matters-for-your-garden>

![Gardener kneeling in a vegetable bed reading a printed soil test report beside a soil probe, trowel and bag of compost](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0432-hero-soil-test-report-20260807-071841.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0432-hero-soil-test-report-20260807-071841.webp)

7 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Cation Exchange Capacity: Why It Matters for Your Garden

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-kale-the-cold-season-workhorse>

![Frost-touched Lacinato kale in a raised bed interplanted with onions, white clover and nasturtiums on a homestead in late autumn](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0431-hero-kale-companions-20260807-065510.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0431-hero-kale-companions-20260807-065510.webp)

7 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Kale: The Cold-Season Workhorse

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/rock-dust-for-gardens-remineralizing-your-soil>

![Gardener scattering fine basalt rock dust over a dark garden bed of seedlings, with a sack of rock powder and a wheelbarrow of compost nearby](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0430-hero-rock-dust-garden-20260807-063715.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0430-hero-rock-dust-garden-20260807-063715.webp)

7 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Rock Dust for Gardens: Remineralizing Your Soil

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/elderberry-in-food-forests-medicine-and-wildlife-habitat>

![American elderberry shrub in full white bloom at the edge of a backyard food forest with songbirds perched among the branches](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0429-hero-elderberry-food-forest-20260807-060824.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0429-hero-elderberry-food-forest-20260807-060824.webp)

7 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Elderberry in Food Forests: Medicine and Wildlife Habitat

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/seaweed-fertilizer>

![Gardener gathering loose beach-cast seaweed into a basket along a rocky shoreline at low tide with a wheelbarrow waiting above](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0428-hero-20260806-092709.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0428-hero-20260806-092709.webp)

6 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Seaweed Fertilizer: What the Research Actually Shows

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cow-manure-vs-horse-manure>

![Two heaps of well-rotted manure side by side, dark fine-textured cow manure on the left and looser straw-threaded horse manure on the right](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0427-hero-20260806-091019.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0427-hero-20260806-091019.webp)

6 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Cow Manure vs Horse Manure: Which Is Better for Your Garden?

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/soil-structure-vs-soil-texture>

![Two hands comparing soil texture and structure, one rubbing fine particles and one holding a crumbly clod of dark aggregated soil](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0426-hero-20260806-085232.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0426-hero-20260806-085232.webp)

6 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Soil Structure vs Soil Texture: What's the Difference?

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/how-to-read-a-soil-test-report>

![Gardener at a kitchen table studying a printed soil test report beside a bag of soil sample, a soil probe and a garden notebook](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0425-hero-20260806-083847.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0425-hero-20260806-083847.webp)

6 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## How to Read a Soil Test Report: A Gardener's Guide

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/perennial-vegetables-plant-once-harvest-for-years>

![Established perennial vegetable bed in autumn with asparagus ferns, rhubarb, globe artichoke and sorrel, and a basket of harvested stalks](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0424-hero-20260806-082037.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0424-hero-20260806-082037.webp)

6 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Perennial Vegetables: What to Plant Once and Harvest for Years

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/back-to-eden-gardening-does-the-wood-chip-method-work>

![Backyard vegetable garden in autumn covered with a thick layer of arborist wood chips, with kale and chard growing through planting pockets](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0423-hero-20260806-080016.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0423-hero-20260806-080016.webp)

6 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Back to Eden Gardening: Does the Wood Chip Method Actually Work?

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/late-summer-and-fall-prep-permaculture-foundations-guide>

![Early autumn backyard garden with cover crops sprouting in cleared raised beds, straw mulch, standing seed heads and drifted fallen leaves](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0422-hero-autumn-garden-cover-crop-20260805-071848.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0422-hero-autumn-garden-cover-crop-20260805-071848.webp)

5 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Late Summer and Fall Prep: A Permaculture Foundations Guide

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/composting-human-waste-humanure-basics>

![Two wooden slatted compost bays on a homestead, one holding a steaming straw-capped pile with a compost thermometer in place](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0419-hero-humanure-compost-bays-20260805-063947.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0419-hero-humanure-compost-bays-20260805-063947.webp)

5 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Composting Human Waste: Humanure Basics

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-in-refugee-camps-resilience-through-growing>

![Thriving small garden in a dry dusty settlement with raised beds, tomato trellises, herbs in repurposed tins and a shading grapevine pergola](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0420-hero-garden-in-dry-settlement-20260805-065231.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0420-hero-garden-in-dry-settlement-20260805-065231.webp)

5 Aug

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Permaculture in Refugee Camps: Resilience Through Growing

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/high-desert-food-forest-southwest-us-strategies>

![Young high desert food forest with honey locust and mulberry over apple and apricot saplings, contour swales and a juniper mesa beyond](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0421-hero-high-desert-food-forest-20260805-070531.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0421-hero-high-desert-food-forest-20260805-070531.webp)

5 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## High Desert Food Forest: Southwest US Strategies

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/iron-chlorosis-yellowing-leaves-and-soil-solutions>

![Maple branch with bright yellow new leaves showing sharply contrasting dark green veins, the classic signature of iron chlorosis](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0418-hero-iron-chlorosis-yellow-leaves-green-veins-20260805-062546.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0418-hero-iron-chlorosis-yellow-leaves-green-veins-20260805-062546.webp)

5 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Iron Chlorosis: Yellowing Leaves and Soil Solutions

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/what-not-to-plant-together-the-complete-incompatibility-guide>

![Backyard vegetable garden split between a healthy raised bed of staked tomatoes and a struggling bed of blighted potato plants](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0417-hero-what-not-to-plant-together-20260805-061000.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0417-hero-what-not-to-plant-together-20260805-061000.webp)

5 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## What Not to Plant Together: The Complete Incompatibility Guide

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/food-forest-harvest-calendar-month-by-month-yields>

![Late summer food forest harvest with baskets of apples, plums, blackberries, elderberries and hazelnuts beneath a dwarf apple tree](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0416-hero-20260804-072850.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0416-hero-20260804-072850.webp)

4 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Food Forest Harvest Calendar: Month-by-Month Yields

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/syntropic-agriculture-and-soil-carbon>

![Grower taking a soil core sample in a young syntropic agroforestry row with dense mixed planting rows stretching behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0415-hero-20260804-071609.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0415-hero-20260804-071609.webp)

4 Aug

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Syntropic Agriculture and Soil Carbon

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/pit-composting-ancient-method-for-modern-gardens>

![Freshly dug compost pit in a garden bed with a bucket of kitchen scraps and a spade, vegetable plants growing behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0413-hero-20260804-065047.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0413-hero-20260804-065047.webp)

4 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Pit Composting: Ancient Method for Modern Gardens

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/worm-tower-in-ground-vermicomposting>

![Raised vegetable bed with a perforated worm tower sunk into the soil at its centre, surrounded by lettuce, kale and beans in summer](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0414-hero-20260804-070254.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0414-hero-20260804-070254.webp)

4 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Worm Tower: In-Ground Vermicomposting

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-artichokes-mediterranean-bed-design>

![Mediterranean raised garden bed with three mature globe artichoke plants surrounded by lavender, rosemary and oregano under gravel mulch](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0412-hero-20260804-062740.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0412-hero-20260804-062740.webp)

4 Aug

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Artichokes: Mediterranean Bed Design

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/urban-food-forest-city-scale-edible-ecosystems>

![Small city backyard food forest between brick row houses with dwarf apple tree, currant bushes, rhubarb and strawberries in late summer](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0411-hero-20260804-060832.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0411-hero-20260804-060832.webp)

4 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Urban Food Forest: City-Scale Edible Ecosystems

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/how-to-fix-smelly-compost-quick-troubleshooting>

![Gardener adding dry brown autumn leaves to a wet backyard compost bin to fix a smelly pile](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0405-hero-20260803-060845.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0405-hero-20260803-060845.webp)

3 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## How to Fix Smelly Compost: Quick Troubleshooting

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/how-to-prepare-your-garden-for-winter>

![Late autumn vegetable garden prepared for winter with mulched beds, cover crop, drained hose, trunk guards and stored tools](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0410-hero-20260803-071610.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0410-hero-20260803-071610.webp)

3 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter: A Permaculture Checklist

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/ruth-stout-method-deep-mulch-gardening-explained>

![Vegetable bed under thick golden hay mulch with tomato and potato plants growing through it and a hand pulling the mulch back](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0409-hero-20260803-070156.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0409-hero-20260803-070156.webp)

3 Aug

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Ruth Stout Method: Deep Mulch Gardening Explained

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/first-frost-date-how-to-plan-your-fall-garden>

![First light frost silvering kale, collards and Brussels sprouts in a fall vegetable garden at sunrise](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0408-hero-20260803-065034.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0408-hero-20260803-065034.webp)

3 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## First Frost Date: How to Plan Your Fall Garden

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/leave-the-leaves-what-to-cut-back-and-what-to-leave>

![Autumn garden bed left uncleaned with standing coneflower seedheads, hollow stems and a drift of fallen oak and maple leaves](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0407-hero-20260803-063710.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0407-hero-20260803-063710.webp)

3 Aug

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Leave the Leaves: What to Cut Back and What to Leave in Fall

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/gooseberries-and-currants-in-food-forests>

![Gooseberry and red currant bushes fruiting in dappled shade beneath an apple tree in a backyard food forest](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0406-hero-20260803-062516.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0406-hero-20260803-062516.webp)

3 Aug

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Gooseberries and Currants in Food Forests

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/seed-saving-for-permaculture-genetic-resilience>

![Saved garden seeds sorted into labeled paper envelopes and glass jars on a rustic table with a cut heirloom tomato beside them](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0404-hero-20260731-071134.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0404-hero-20260731-071134.webp)

31 Jul

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Seed Saving for Permaculture: Genetic Resilience

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/how-to-lower-soil-ph-naturally>

![Gardener holding a soil pH test kit beside a garden bed with a bag of yellow elemental sulfur and blueberry bushes in the background](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0403-hero-20260731-070158.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0403-hero-20260731-070158.webp)

31 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## How to Lower Soil pH Naturally

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/composting-for-sandy-soil-improvement>

![Dark compost being worked into pale sandy garden soil, showing the visible contrast between amended and unamended sections of the bed](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0402-hero-20260731-065140.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0402-hero-20260731-065140.webp)

31 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Composting for Sandy Soil Improvement

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/syntropic-agriculture-and-mycorrhizal-networks>

![Cross-section of forest soil showing a white fungal hyphal network connecting tree roots beneath a layered syntropic planting of trees, shrubs and ground crops](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0401-hero-20260731-064125.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0401-hero-20260731-064125.webp)

31 Jul

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Syntropic Agriculture and Mycorrhizal Networks

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-myths-debunked-what-doesnt-work>

![Mixed vegetable bed with tomatoes, basil, marigolds and carrots showing the real results of companion planting, some plants thriving and some crowded](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0400-hero-20260731-063026.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0400-hero-20260731-063026.webp)

31 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Myths Debunked: What Doesn't Work

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/ben-falks-resilient-farm-cold-climate-permaculture>

![Cold climate permaculture homestead on a south-facing Vermont hillside with terraced beds, a reflective pond and hardy fruit shrubs in autumn](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0399-hero-20260731-060918.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0399-hero-20260731-060918.webp)

31 Jul

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Ben Falk's Resilient Farm: Cold Climate Permaculture

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-asparagus-long-term-bed-partners>

![Mature permanent asparagus bed with tall feathery ferns in rows and a border of flowering parsley, dill and calendula](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0398-hero-20260731-051142.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0398-hero-20260731-051142.webp)

31 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Asparagus: Long-Term Bed Partners

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-turnips-and-rutabaga>

![Autumn vegetable bed with purple-topped turnips and rutabaga crowns pushing out of dark soil beneath blue-green brassica leaves](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0397-hero-20260731-045712.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0397-hero-20260731-045712.webp)

31 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Turnips and Rutabaga

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-projects-making-a-real-difference>

![Split landscape showing an eroded bare hillside on the left transformed into contour terraces with trees and a check dam on the right](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0396-hero-20260729-133842.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0396-hero-20260729-133842.webp)

31 Jul

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Permaculture Projects Making a Real Difference

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/sheet-composting-turn-waste-into-beds-directly>

![Gardener building a sheet composted bed on a lawn showing layers of cardboard, kitchen scraps, fallen leaves, manure and straw](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0395-hero-20260729-131542.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0395-hero-20260729-131542.webp)

29 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Sheet Composting: Turn Waste Into Beds Directly

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-pumpkins-fall-harvest-combinations>

![Autumn homestead pumpkin patch with orange field pumpkins, blue Hubbard squash, corn stalks and a flowering buckwheat border](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0394-hero-20260729-063315.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0394-hero-20260729-063315.webp)

29 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Pumpkins: Fall Harvest Combinations

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/food-forest-economics-whats-your-garden-worth>

![Mature layered backyard food forest in late summer with apple and chestnut canopy, berry shrubs and an overflowing harvest basket](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0393-hero-20260729-061017.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0393-hero-20260729-061017.webp)

29 Jul

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Food Forest Economics: What's Your Garden Worth?

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/composting-for-clay-soil-break-up-heavy-ground>

![A gardener working dark rich compost into heavy cracked orange-brown clay soil with a digging fork to break up heavy ground](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0392-hero-20260728-101729.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0392-hero-20260728-101729.webp)

28 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Composting for Clay Soil: Break Up Heavy Ground

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/wood-ash-in-the-garden-benefits-and-risks>

![A gardener sprinkling pale gray wood ash from a metal bucket over a backyard vegetable garden bed with a wood stove behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0390-hero-20260728-094342.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0390-hero-20260728-094342.webp)

28 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Wood Ash in the Garden: Benefits and Risks

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/rabbit-manure-the-cold-manure-advantage>

![A gardener scattering dark round rabbit manure pellets around leafy vegetable plants in a backyard raised bed with a rabbit hutch behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0389-hero-20260728-093020.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0389-hero-20260728-093020.webp)

28 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Rabbit Manure: The Cold Manure Advantage

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-for-shade-gardens>

![A shady backyard vegetable garden beneath a leafy tree with lettuce, spinach, kale and chard growing among hostas and ferns in dappled light](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0388-hero-20260728-091526.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0388-hero-20260728-091526.webp)

28 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting for Shade Gardens

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-with-wildflowers-meadow-edge-gardens>

![A backyard vegetable garden bordered by a colorful strip of native wildflowers alive with bees and butterflies at the meadow edge](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0391-hero-20260728-095905.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0391-hero-20260728-095905.webp)

28 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting With Wildflowers: Meadow Edge Gardens

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/diatomaceous-earth-in-the-garden-uses-and-limits>

![A weekend gardener dusting fine white diatomaceous earth powder onto leafy green vegetable plants in a sunny backyard garden bed](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0387-hero-20260728-084040.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0387-hero-20260728-084040.webp)

28 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Diatomaceous Earth in the Garden: Uses and Limits

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/mark-shepards-restoration-agriculture-keyline-design-in-practice>

![Pencil-crayon rolling Midwestern farm as an oak savanna with curved rows of chestnut and apple trees, grazing cattle and pigs in alleys, and a valley pond](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0386-hero-20260727-134250.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0386-hero-20260727-134250.webp)

27 Jul

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Mark Shepard's Restoration Agriculture: Keyline Design in Practice

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/food-forest-in-containers-balcony-scale-ecosystems>

![Pencil-crayon apartment balcony transformed into a layered edible garden with a dwarf fig, Meyer lemon, blueberries, strawberries, and herbs in pots](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0385-hero-20260727-131722.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0385-hero-20260727-131722.webp)

27 Jul

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Food Forest in Containers: Balcony-Scale Ecosystems

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-in-israel-drip-irrigation-meets-design>

![Pencil-crayon lush green oasis garden of date palms, olives, and vegetables fed by drip lines in a dry desert landscape with arid hills behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0383-hero-20260727-122409.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0383-hero-20260727-122409.webp)

27 Jul

[Permaculture Around the World](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world)

## Permaculture in Israel: Drip Irrigation Meets Design

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-heirloom-varieties-old-wisdom-for-modern-gardens>

![Pencil-crayon abundant heirloom vegetable garden with striped tomatoes, rainbow chard, speckled beans, marigolds, and hand-labeled seed packets](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0384-hero-20260727-125214.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0384-hero-20260727-125214.webp)

27 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Heirloom Varieties: Old Wisdom for Modern Gardens

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/composting-dog-waste-is-it-safe-for-gardens>

![Pencil-crayon backyard scene with a dedicated dog-waste composting bin set apart from raised vegetable beds by a small fence, with a dog on the lawn](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0382-hero-20260727-120320.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0382-hero-20260727-120320.webp)

27 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Composting Dog Waste: Is It Safe for Gardens?

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-for-raised-bed-squares-intensive-layout>

![Pencil-crayon overhead view of a 4x8 raised bed divided into one-foot squares densely planted with lettuce, basil, carrots, marigolds, beans, and a tomato](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0381-hero-20260727-113951.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0381-hero-20260727-113951.webp)

27 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting for Raised Bed Squares: Intensive Layout

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-fennel-the-garden-loner-and-exceptions>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a tall feathery fennel plant with yellow flowers growing alone in a garden corner with swallowtail butterflies around it](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0380-hero-fennel-20260724-145501.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0380-hero-fennel-20260724-145501.webp)

24 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting Fennel: The Garden Loner (and Exceptions)

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-vs-biodynamic-gardening-methods-compared>

![Pencil-crayon split illustration comparing a biodynamic garden with cow horn and moon versus a permaculture garden with design zones and food forest](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0379-hero-compare-20260724-144203.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0379-hero-compare-20260724-144203.webp)

24 Jul

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Permaculture vs Biodynamic Gardening: Methods Compared

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/syntropic-agriculture-criticisms-fair-points-and-rebuttals>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a dense, layered syntropic agroforestry system with banana, papaya, timber trees, and a farmer pruning with a machete](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0378-hero-syntropic-20260724-142915.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0378-hero-syntropic-20260724-142915.webp)

24 Jul

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Syntropic Agriculture Criticisms: Fair Points and Rebuttals

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-for-rabbit-proof-gardens>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a cottontail rabbit at the edge of a vegetable garden ringed with lavender, chives, marigolds, and rosemary](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0376-hero-rabbit-garden-20260724-140341.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0376-hero-rabbit-garden-20260724-140341.webp)

24 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting for Rabbit-Proof Gardens

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/chicken-tractor-design-mobile-poultry-in-permaculture>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a wooden A-frame chicken tractor on green backyard pasture with red and brown hens foraging beside a vegetable garden](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0375-hero-chicken-tractor-20260724-134523.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0375-hero-chicken-tractor-20260724-134523.webp)

24 Jul

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Chicken Tractor Design: Mobile Poultry in Permaculture

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/polyculture-design-beyond-simple-pairs>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a lush, diverse polyculture garden bed with corn, beans, squash, greens, herbs, and flowers growing together](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0377-hero-polyculture-20260724-141659.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp0377-hero-polyculture-20260724-141659.webp)

24 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Polyculture Design: Beyond Simple Pairs

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/sulfur-for-gardens-when-and-how-to-use-it>

![Pencil-crayon scene of a gardener sprinkling granular yellow elemental sulfur around a blueberry bush with a soil pH meter in the ground nearby](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0374-hero-20260723-070629.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0374-hero-20260723-070629.webp)

23 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Sulfur for Gardens: When and How to Use It

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/edible-hedgerows-linear-companion-planting>

![Pencil-crayon lush mixed edible hedgerow along a backyard garden edge with berry shrubs, wildflowers, birds, and bees beside a vegetable bed](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0373-hero-20260723-065528.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0373-hero-20260723-065528.webp)

23 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Edible Hedgerows: Linear Companion Planting

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/composting-with-black-soldier-fly-larvae>

![Pencil-crayon homestead scene of an open black soldier fly composting bin full of larvae processing food scraps with backyard chickens nearby](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0372-hero-20260723-064340.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0372-hero-20260723-064340.webp)

23 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Composting With Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/composting-dryer-lint-whats-safe-whats-not>

![Pencil-crayon scene of a hand pulling gray lint from a dryer lint trap between a laundry basket and a compost bin, asking where it should go](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0371-hero-20260723-063312.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0371-hero-20260723-063312.webp)

23 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Composting Dryer Lint: What's Safe, What's Not

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/cn-ratio-explained-perfect-your-compost-mix>

![Pencil-crayon backyard scene of a gardener layering brown autumn leaves and green kitchen scraps into a wooden compost bin to balance the carbon nitrogen ratio](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0370-hero-20260723-062154.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0370-hero-20260723-062154.webp)

23 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## C:N Ratio Explained: Perfect Your Compost Mix

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/container-soil-mix-diy-potting-soil-for-every-plant>

![Pencil-crayon urban balcony scene of hands mixing homemade container potting soil surrounded by terracotta pots of tomatoes, basil, coir, perlite, and compost](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0369-hero-20260723-060941.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0369-hero-20260723-060941.webp)

23 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Container Soil Mix: DIY Potting Soil for Every Plant

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-economics-beyond-the-garden-gate>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a lively local farmers market stall with garden produce, honey, and preserves, a vendor serving a customer, and a small farm behind](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0368-hero-20260722-071129.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0368-hero-20260722-071129.webp)

22 Jul

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Permaculture Economics: Beyond the Garden Gate

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/pollinator-plants-for-food-forests-bloom-calendar>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a food forest edge in bloom with fruit trees, bee balm, and yarrow visited by honeybees, a bumblebee, and a monarch butterfly](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0367-hero-20260722-070032.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0367-hero-20260722-070032.webp)

22 Jul

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Pollinator Plants for Food Forests: Bloom Calendar

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/fermenting-garden-produce-from-sauerkraut-to-kimchi>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of glass jars of sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickled vegetables on a wooden counter beside fresh garden cabbage, carrots, and radish](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0366-hero-20260722-064828.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0366-hero-20260722-064828.webp)

22 Jul

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Fermenting Garden Produce: From Sauerkraut to Kimchi

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/worm-composting-for-kids-a-fun-educational-project>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of two children and a parent peering into an open worm composting bin with red wigglers, food scraps, and shredded paper](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0365-hero-20260722-063736.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0365-hero-20260722-063736.webp)

22 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Worm Composting for Kids: A Fun Educational Project

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/food-forest-in-year-5-mid-term-milestones>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a lush five-year-old backyard food forest with apple and pear trees, berry bushes, rhubarb, and a mulch path in dappled summer light](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0364-hero-20260722-062241.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0364-hero-20260722-062241.webp)

22 Jul

[Food Forest](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

## Food Forest in Year 5: Mid-Term Milestones

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/companion-planting-for-aphid-prevention>

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a thriving vegetable bed interplanted with nasturtiums, chives, and marigolds for aphid prevention, with ladybugs on the leaves](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0363-hero-20260722-060912.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0363-hero-20260722-060912.webp)

22 Jul

[Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)

## Companion Planting for Aphid Prevention

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/syntropic-agriculture-year-3-transition-and-growth>

![Pencil illustration of a lush three-year-old syntropic agroforestry system with layered rows of banana, papaya, young fruit trees, and biomass mulch](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0362-hero-20260721-074121.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0362-hero-20260721-074121.webp)

21 Jul

[Syntropic Agriculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture)

## Syntropic Agriculture Year 3: Transition and Growth

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/chicken-manure-composting-hot-stuff-for-your-garden>

![Pencil illustration of a wheelbarrow of dark composted manure beside a thriving raised vegetable bed with hens in the background](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0361-hero-20260721-072908.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0361-hero-20260721-072908.webp)

21 Jul

[Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)

## Chicken Manure Composting: Hot Stuff for Your Garden

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-and-food-sovereignty-growing-community-power>

![Pencil illustration of a vibrant community garden with raised beds full of vegetables and a shared harvest table of fresh produce](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0360-hero-20260721-071556.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0360-hero-20260721-071556.webp)

21 Jul

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Permaculture and Food Sovereignty: Growing Community Power

Peter Vogel

<https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-and-indigenous-knowledge-respectful-integration>

![Pencil illustration of an abundant traditional polyculture garden with corn, climbing beans, squash, sunflowers, and companion flowers](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0359-hero-20260721-070310.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0359-hero-20260721-070310.webp)

21 Jul

[Permaculture Foundations](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations)

## Permaculture and Indigenous Knowledge: Respectful Integration

Peter Vogel

[1](https://growperma.com/blog) [2](https://growperma.com/blog/page/2)

![GrowPerma](https://growperma.com/hubfs/icon-512.png)

Gardens That Work Like Forests — the smart-friend guide to permaculture for normal backyards.

#### Explore

- [Blog](https://growperma.com/blog)
- [Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting)
- [Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting)
- [Food Forests](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest)

#### Resources

- [About](https://growperma.com/about)
- [All Articles](https://growperma.com/blog)

#### Legal

- [Imprint](https://growperma.com/imprint)
- [Privacy Policy](https://growperma.com/privacy-policy)
- [Affiliate Disclosure](https://growperma.com/affiliate-disclosure)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. GrowPerma also uses other affiliate links and may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.

© 2026 GrowPerma. All rights reserved. A project by [peppereffect](https://peppereffect.com).