Permaculture for the Rest of Us

November 30, 2015
Blackmore (The Fisherman and His Wife), an artist, writer, and aspiring micro-farmer, built a house on a windswept island near Halifax, Nova Scotia, nearly 25 years ago. She and her sons spent the coldest Nova Scotia winter in 70 years without plumbing or insulation. She not only survived but thrived and is now a fount of information on homesteading, gardening, mini-livestock raising, and permaculture (which Blackmore describes as using what's available and natural, keeping waste to a minimum, and maximizing space and yields). Her book is both a manual and a memoir, using her experiences as a springboard to explain permaculture how-tos and how-not-tos. Blackmore's take on permaculture, the concepts of which were developed in Australia, is decidedly Northern. Anyone envying typical descriptions of lush, fertile land and perfect climates will be heartened by Blackmore's story. She discusses vegetable timetables, ways to create different growing conditions, keeping weeds at bay, dirt building, heat and cold tolerance of plants, greenhouses, "lasagna gardening," and more. She also imparts her knowledge on raising chickens, turkeys, ducks, and rabbits. Her advice is perfect for the beginning and aspiring permaculturist: non-threatening, clear, and told from a charming personal perspective.