Description
Book SynopsisAn awe-inspiring guide that weaves together permaculture design, food resiliency, climate adaptation, community organizing, and indigenous wisdom that you can implement in your own backyard.
This book has been crafted for beginner gardeners and large scale permaculturists alike . It is a step-by-step manual starting from your landscaping ideas and ending with seeds and trees confidently planted.
However, this is more than just a guide to landscaping, it is a motivational read. Throughout The Regenerative Landscaper, Erik addresses climate change, species extinction, and ecological collapse with encouragement that each of us can indeed become stewards of the land. We can do this by installing healthy ecosystems in our own yards. His words offer hope and tangible action, inspiring his readers to restore planetary health one garden at a time.
The Regenerative Landscaper gives a collection of case studies, step-by-step processes, prevention and mitigation methods, and regenerative land management techniques to steward your land. If you are looking for an easy-to-read manual on designing and implementing your permaculture haven, The Regenerative Landscaper is it.
Table of ContentsForeword by Penny Livingston
How to Use This Book
Introduction
Part I: The Wisdom of the Earth
Chapter 1: Earth’s Design Intelligence
The Intelligence of Earth
The Hydrologic Cycle: The Blue Planet
Natural Water Storage
Vegetative/Animal Storage
Rivers and Lakes
The Carbon Cycle: Life’s Origin
Photosynthesis: The Miracle of Life
Keystone Species
Rivers of Salmon
The Power of Bees
Red Mangrove Coastlines
Bioregional Keystone Species
Regenerative Disturbances
Chapter 2: The Regenerative Mindset
Embrace Earth Wisdom
Landscapes Are Ecosystems
Regenerative Landscaping Principles
Chapter 3: Land-Use Directive
A Toxic Legacy
Regenerate the Degraded
Case Study: The Permaculture Neighborhood Center
Part II: Compose with the Land
Chapter 4: Contextual Design
When Is the Land?
The Story of Place
Chapter 5: Awareness Practices
Walk the Land in Silence
Chapter 6: Reading the Land
Water Patterns
Look for Water in the Driest Time of Year
Vegetation
Animal Indicators
On-site Resources
In Field Soil Tests
Observing the Soil Profile
Chapter 7: Create a Base Map
Satellite Image
Surveyed Map
Satellite/Topo Overlay
Key Elements to Include in the Base Map
Triangulation Mapping Simplified
Chapter 8: Social Context
Social History
Know Your Neighbors
Project Stakeholders
Chapter 9: Develop Your Vision
Core Values Development
Articulating Goals
Part III: Conceptual Landscape Design
Chapter 10: Conceptual Design Process
Real Regeneration Versus Greenwashing
Long-Term Design
Lawn Transformation Step by Step
Chapter 11: Permaculture Design Wisdom
Permaculture Principles
Stacking Functions
Design for Catastrophe
Use On-site/Biological Resources
Catch and Store Energy
Permaculture Zoning Strategy
Permaculture as a Way of Life
Chapter 12: Drafting Design Plans
Drafting the Plan
Professional Design Tips with Emily Mallard
Chapter 13: Design Plan Sets
Conceptual Master Plan
Planting Plan
Irrigation Plan
Hardscape Plan
Chapter 14: Phased Project Plan
Creating a Project Schedule
Using a Gantt Chart
Chapter 15: Professional Design Relationships
Developing a Design Budget and Identifying Deliverables
Part IV: The World of Soil
Chapter 16: Living Soil: The Foundation of Regenerative Landscapes
Five Principles of Soil Health
Create Living Soil
Develop a Soil Regeneration Plan
Chapter 17: No-Till Landscaping
Chapter 18: Vermiculture
Worm Bin Design
Caring for Worms
Harvesting Castings
Chapter 19: Composting
Compost Foundations
Chapter 20: Compost Tea and Plant Ferments
Aerated Compost Tea
Chapter 21: Cover Cropping
Timing
Disturbances
Specific Seed for Specific Yields
Chapter 22: Hügelkultur
The Benefits of Hügelkultur
Build in Layers
Plant the Berm
The Benefits of Hügelkultur
Chapter 23: The Fungal Landscape
Edible Mushrooms
Medicinal Fungi
Toxic Remediation with Fungi
Part V: Water in the Landscape
Chapter 24: Design Water Resilience
Water Conservation
Regenerative Versus Degenerative Water Management
Water Harvesting
Droughts and Floods
Chapter 25: Identifying Water Sources
Responsible Water Management
Chapter 26: Managing and Harvesting Surface Water
Topography
Landscape Grading
Contour
Earthworks
Water Infiltration Systems
Rain Gardens
Building a Contour Water-Harvesting Swale
Chapter 27: Landscape Drainage Systems
Grading
Water Diversion Channels
French Drains
Drainage, Erosion, and Pollution
Chapter 28: Water Distribution
Gravity
Pumping Water
Veins of the Land
Chapter 29: Roof Water Harvesting
Calculating Roof Water Catchment
Capture and Distribution
Tank Storage
Using Rainwater
Chapter 30: Landscape Ponds
Design Functions
Engineering and Permits
Excavation and Shaping
Earthen Ponds
Locating a Pond
Impoundment Ponds
Aquatic Plants for Pond Systems
Chapter 31: Irrigation Systems
Designing an Irrigation System
Water Demand
Flood Irrigation
Overhead Sprinklers
Drip Irrigation
Chapter 32: Erosion Control
Elements of Erosion
Roads: Problem and Solution
Biological Erosion Control
Non-Biological Erosion Control
Part VI: The Built Environment
Chapter 33: The Built Environment
Living in the Landscape
Hardscape Versus Softscape
Natural Building
Use of Concrete
Materials Sourcing
Chapter 34: Architectural Elements
Decks
Benches
Shou Sugi Ban
Trellises/Arbors
Raised Beds
Chapter 35: Landscape Patios
Sizing
Surface Materials
Patio Foundations
Flagstone Patio
Pavers/Brick
Decomposed Granite
Chapter 36: Landscape Pathways
Water Runoff/Drainage
Shape and Flow
Gravel
Flagstone
Stepping Stones
Water-Harvesting Pathway
Landscape Steps
Building a Cob Oven by Sasha Rabin
Cooking in Your Cob Oven
Materials and Tools for a Cob Oven (26-inch diameter cooking surface)
How to Mix Cob
Ratios for Cob Mixes
Thermal Mass Versus Insulation
Chapter 37: Terrace and Rock Wall Systems
Walls or No Walls
To Consider When Excavating Terraces
Staging Terrace Projects
Combining Terraces, Swales, and Rain Gardens
Rock Walls and Alternatives
Benefits of Rock Walls
Disadvantages of Rock Walls
Part VII: Planting Earth
Chapter 38: Revegetate the Planet
Repairing the World with Plants
Plant Hardiness Zones
Chapter 39: Landscape Planting Plans
Mapping Your Planting Plan
The Right Plants for the Space
Extending Flowering Times
Permaculture Zoning in Planting Plans
Plan for Maturity
Choosing Plant Sizes
Chapter 40: Plant Communities
Structural Plant Combinations
Structural Growth Patterns of Trees and Plants
Zone by Zone
Plants by Function
Soil-Building Plants
Native Gardens
Drought-Tolerant Gardens
Cut Flowers
Medicinal and Culinary Herbs
Grains
Plant Fibers
Crafting Wood
Wetlands
Native Plants Versus Exotic Plants
Chapter 41: Regenerative Agroforestry
Food Forest Agroforestry
Planting Trees
Planting Trees by Seed
Seeds into the Ground
Seeding into Pots
Stratification
Planting a Bare Root Tree
Choosing Fruit/Nut Cultivars
Storing Varieties
Cultivars for Fermentation
Tips for Growing Regenerative Hedgerows
Chapter 42: Managing Trees Systems with Pruning
Dead
Diseased
Pruning for Size
Pruning Times of the Year
Pruning Fruit Wood
Three Ways to Train Scaffold Branches
The Power of Your Cuts
Thinning Fruit
Chapter 43: Growing Vegetables
Nutrient Density
Saving Money
Food Sovereignty
Four Seasons of Harvest
Growing in the Right Season
Protection
Choosing Vegetable Varieties
Notable Perennial Vegetables
Harvesting
Chapter 44: Plant Propagation
Propagate by Seed
Sowing Seeds
Depth of Seed Planted
Covering Seeds
Seeding in Ground Versus Pots
Grow Your Own Plants
Cuttings
Dig and Divide Roots
Grafting
Chapter 45: Landscape Maintenance
Changing Cultural Aesthetics
Vegetation Management
Mowing
Nontoxic Herbicides
Occultation
The Art of Weeding
Chapter 46: Saving Seed
Pollination
When to Harvest Seed
Seed Processing
Seed Storage
Part VIII: Creatures of the Landscape
Chapter 47: Of Wing, Hoof, Claw, and Scale
Predator–Prey Relationships
Nature Awareness
Observing Animal Habitat
Animal Behaviors
Leave Landscape Habitat Intact
Insectary Superstars
Integrated Pest Management (An Ecological Approach)
Chapter 48: Integrated Pest Management
Seasonality
Stressed Plants
Beneficial Predatory Insects
Mammals
Attracting Birds to the Landscape
Mason Bee Habitat
Insectary Plants
Avoid Insecticides (Conventional and Organic)
Habitat Ponds
Chapter 49: Fencing
Fencing Varieties
Chapter 50: Choosing the Right Animals
Beneficial Relationships
Keeping Bees
Sheep
Goats
Cows
Safety Considerations for Domesticated Animals
Chapter 51: Chicken Systems
Varieties
Integrating Chickens into the Regenerative Landscape
Determine If Chickens Are Appropriate for Your Project
Coops
Permanent Runs
Movable Systems
Chicken Tractors
Part IX: Restore the Wild
Chapter 52: Stewards of the Earth
Biodiversity
Invasive Grasses
Perennial Grasses and Herbs
Mycoremediation with Dr. Mia Maltz
Seed Drilling
Build Relationships with Wild Plants
Chapter 53: Lands of Fire
Catastrophic (High Intensity) Versus Good Fire Fireproofing the Landscape
Chapter 54: Regenerative Forest Management
Ecological Forest Management
Biochar
Follow Indigenous Wisdom
Acknowledgments
Plant Species Charts
References
Index
About the Author
