Attention All Permaculture Experts and Enthusiasts

[Fullcrum]

I am planning a permaculture garden at my public high school. We're in climate zone 6a on the Northeastern seaboard of the United States. This basically means we have four seasons, hot summers that range from 70-100 degrees Fahrenheit, cold winters that is usually around 20-40 Fahrenheit but can sometimes hit -5 Fahrenheit (rarely) and variable length of days. Our area is hilly but contains good soil and adequate precipitation.

I feel the gravity of this project upon my shoulders. I'm organizing and designing this garden to not only provide healthy fruits and vegetables for the students but to also to make a statement. Our school is less than an hour away from New York City, and I feel this garden will make a statement about Peak Oil, sustainable agriculture, and local gardening that may inspire others to plant their own permaculture gardens.

What I seek from you are resources. Give me your favorite books, your favortie documentaries, your favorite website, and anything else you think may be useful.

What would be especially useful would be a one-stop guide to permaculture design. I understand plant botany and I can study the plants in my area, but that will only take me so far. It's one thing to scavenge for ideas in youtube videos and inspiring documentaries. It's another thing entirely to understand design fundamentals. I know simple things like the edge effect, swale systems, and nitrogen-fixing plants, but I want something more comprehensive.

Any and all help for this undertaking is appreciated.

[garentee]

Permaculture by Bill Mollison..comprehensive guide. great first step. GOod luck Hope it works out. G

[atelierk]

Start with these books:

Gaia's Garden by Toby Hemenway (revised edition due out shortly)
Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison
Earth User's Guide to Permaculture by Rosemary Morrow

The first one is US-based, the other two are Australian. You'll find the majority to stuff out there is Australian because that's where permaculture first originated.

[Fullcrum]

Cool.

Is there anything out there that's cold/temperate seasonal climate specific? Or would it just be included in the books listed above?

Will get these books. Thanks much.

[earthsurfing]

Dave Jacke's Edible Forest Gardens is by far the best for northeastern temperate climates. And, as far as learning how to design, Volume 2 is the best book out there.

No substitute for taking a permaculture class, though!

Northeastern Permaculture Networ - home

where's the school?

Best,
Keith