The Refuge Permaculture Center
At Tara Farm and Nursery
Tag: environment
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Soil Sutra 1: “…bird by bird, I have come to know the earth…” ~ Pablo Neruda
“I am here because you are here.” Every morning and any time I get too wrapped up in my head or with the human comedy and drama. Sometimes lie down right on the dirt in the garden. And I rest there for a few minutes. My agreement with the planet. Dirt, soil, earth first. Let’s
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Not Touch, Not Singing…Unless You Are Very, Very Close
Its very simple really. – although, the class that led me to this revelation is not. Dont touch, Dont sing, Just breathe. Deeply. Did you know that some plant leaves die after a very limited touch by a human hand? Did you know that the plant has no way to register, accept sound and incorporate
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Simplify Spring Activity: Mulch
Our part in garden life is to bring together the conditions necessary to maintain or improve the living beings there – plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, microbes, and us. When the plants are big enough, they provide their own winter blanket…falling leaves. Mulch: maintains soil moisture; insulates the earth above the roots from weather extremes;
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Simplify, Simplify, Simplify: Spring Clean Up; FINALLY Tours!!
I love a gentle, gray, misty rain. So good for everything. Breathe in that cool, misty air. Reminds me of the Motherland… the San Francisco Bay Area. And it is absolutely the best weather in which to get outdoor winter clean up done. The List has many things crossed off: move native soil to all
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Closer and Closer: Seeds for Spring 2025 -Sainfoin
The raspberry patch is so packed full of plants that it is difficult to open the soil for restoration. And the grape vines have been producing so heavily the last few years it clearly is time to do something other than lay compost or mulch on top of the soil. Some research and some conversation
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Refuge in the Wind: OLLI Permaculture Classes at Casper College for 2025
Permaculture Classes for 2025:These classes are offered through the OLLI Program at Casper College (Call if you did not get a catalog 268.3401) Please join me for as much support as I can offer – by way of presentation, tons of information, and yes, wierd and shocking stories from Laurel’s life and landscape experience! If
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Native Bee Houses: Give Them Shelter; They Give You Food
Many moons ago I purchased an organic-looking, sweet little native pollinator house. I will not go into the price I overlooked to have what I thought would be a natural, rustic addition to my garden. I found what I thought was a good spot and mounted it near some shrubs. Nothing that year, but maybe
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NEW SHORT COURSE for Fall 2024 Finding a Refuge in the Wind: What Is Permaculture & Dirt to Earth Natural Soil Improvement
The best start for your Spring garden is your Autumn work. Please join me on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Fort Caspar Museum Meeting Room Casper Wyoming, for two brief introductions to the nature-based garden practice of Permaculture. Drawing on my training and research, but more from my experience applying that
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Bean Harvest Sutra Two: Drying
Bean Harvest Sutra Two: Drying Winter Food1. A light, gentle squeeze of the dry, pale yellow pods in the garden will create a quiet crackling sound. Not too hard..2. Cut shrub leaving roots in the soil. (See Bean Harvest Sutra One)3. Loop cotton or hemp string around the bottom of a bundle of cut shrubs.4.
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Bean Harvest Sutra One: Feed One, Feed All
Bean Harvest Sutra – One: Feeding One, Feed All1. Cut the stem of the pinto bean bush just above the soil. Leave the roots to rot. They will release nitrogen as they decay and leave organic matter to feed the soil. Their death and decay will leave space in the soil for water, air, microbes,
The Refuge Permaculture Center 