Archie: Rototilling Pig Archie works with his human to till rugged soil for planting. The key to their act is a moveable pig pen.

June 26, 2001 -- You are about to find out how, with a little planning, you can save an astonishing amount of time, money and water in the garden (I'm working on a second career writing info-mercials). All you have to do is get past buzzwords like permaculture and ecosystem, and wrap your mind around the idea that absolutely everything on your property is part of a whole.

The principles of ecological gardening are not new. If you're already thinking about butterfly gardening, attracting wildlife, or even just composting, you're nearly there. The next step is to look at the big picture, and consider design changes to your garden that will make the most of everything, whether it's your annual rainfall or the contours of your land (my own land is 50'x25'). I can't wrap it up for you in five easy pieces, but if you're inclined to make the journey, I can send you on your way. Enjoy!

Additional Resources:

Gaia's Garden by Toby Hemenway is a user-friendly guide to the principles of permaculture.

Permaculture the Earth's bookstore has an exhaustive book list.

Read "An Introduction To Permaculture," the original white paper on the subject written in 1981 by Australian Bill Morrison.

Visit the Bullock's Permaculture Portal Web site and take in an astonishing work-in-progress on Orcas Island, Wash.

Visit the High Country Gardens Web site Guide to Xeriscape for ideas about water conservation and cool plants.

Visit the Permaculture.net Web site (beware the annoying pop-up windows) and check out the courses now being offered around the country.

Visit the Permaculture Activist magazine Web site. It includes links to many of the permaculture institutes in the United States.