get a hold of bill mollison's 'introduction to permaculture', this is bound to get you started.

len

mail len

lens garden page

There are or were several permaculture groups in central and northern coastal CA. Google search for permaculture links. Also the website below, though located in other region, is widely visited by permaculturists from all over. The site also includes databases and other resource links.

Here is a link that might be useful: Permaculture list and Digest

FOR THE VEGIE GARDENING PART...SOME RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I LIKED-- 1)PAM PEARCE'S BK ON SAN FRANCISCO GARDENING (PAM WAS HEAD OF S.L.U.G. (BAY AREA) FOR MANY YRS);2)BINDA COLEBROOK'S "WINTER GARDENING IN THE MARITIME NORTHWEST;
3)JOHN SEYMOUR'S "THE SELF-SUFFICIENT GARDENER"; 4)ELIOT COLEMAN'S "FOUR SEASON HARVEST"; 5)"THE INTEGRAL URBAN HOUSE" BY THE OLKOWSKIS; 6)JOHN SEYMOUR'S "THE SELF-SUFFICIENT GARDENER"; 7)ANGELO PELLEGRINI'S "THE FOOD LOVERS' GARDEN"; 8)JAMES JANKOWIAK'S "THE PROSPEROUS GARDENER"...& BROWSING THRU YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARY, ETC.K

If you're focussing on vege's, make sure they're near the house and near a tap....ours is (from tradition I guess) down the bottom of the garden and can be discouraging.

Have fun, but be careful, it's completely addictive:)

If you are interested in taking some courses and or networking with other like minded people check out Penny Livingstons Center for Permaculture near Point Reyes and or enjoy a ride up to Occidental to the Occ. Center of Ecology

Check their web sites for open house dates.

Penny usually is at the San Francisco Garden Show every year promoting the Center for Permaculture. The show is in early March this year at the Cow Palace.

Also check out what Strybing is offering classwise as well as the Berkeley Center for learning - usually a couple of classes on organics and or permaculture are offered each year.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.permacultureinstitute.com/

Hey there,

Any news for permaculture groups in SC for another total beginner? We have a backyard full of water oak trees with some moss and a few sparse patches of moss. The front yard is a traditional yard. The front yard has a traditional lawn but we would love to figure out plants to plant in the backyard that would survive on little water (since the oak trees hog a lot of it) in the shade with little work. Right now, any soil we could add would get washed down the hill.

Thanks,
Pam

Or any resources out there for a beginner in Tx?