Design & Installation

Design Methodology

Permaculture design differs from traditional landscape design in that is a “systems” approach that endeavours to foster functional interrelationships between the human inhabitants of a place and the living system around them. (See: An Introduction to Permaculture Design). Like traditional landscape designs, permaculture designs attend to aesthetics and beauty but they are also intended to achieve other “yields” such as food production, medicinal plants, water harvesting, enhanced bio-diversity, income generation and economy, energy, vibrant community life, and any other yields desired by the people living there.

Permaculture designs involve the careful integration of the following essential elements:

  • Energy (sun energy that is captured and recycled through the system)
  • Water (captured from rain fall and recycled through the system)
  • Soil (brought to life by re-establishing the organic matter cycles and the wonderful diversity of organisms)
  • Plants (perennials and annuals, natives and some exotics, used for food and many other purposes)
  • Animals (from soil organisms, to pollinators, small livestock, and wild species)
  • Appropriate technologies (including green buildings, alternative energy systems, greenhouses, etc.)
  • People (those who live on the land, their neighbours and the surrounding community)

Sitting area surrounded by edible species.

The essence of permaculture is the thougthful and appropriate placement of these elements such that they are in positive synergistic relationships with eachother and that they function as natural ecosystems do: closed loop cycles, complex and diverse interrelationships, each element playing a multiplicity of roles in the system, and the creation of balance.

Permaculture designs can be practised on any scale; from a small yard or balcony, to a suburban acreage, small or large farm, a community or a city. No two permaculture designs are alike as the context and the desired yields for each system will differ as will the aesthetic preferences of those who live on the land.

We are able to work with you on a permaculture design for your urban yard, acreage or small farm or community space. The design process begins with a conversation and a questionnaire followed by a site visit to undertake observations, assesments and measurements and to have additional conversation with those who are living at or interacting with the site. The end result is a “scale” drawing that you can take into the installation phase of the project.

Millcreek "Net Zero" duplex design, Edmonton.

Installations

  • While we are no longer providing full permaculture installation services, we can support the installation of your permaculture landscape in the following ways:
  • Acting as a consultant to a contractor or other team of installers who may not have the expertise required to carry out the work
  • Working with you to create and coordinate a “workshop and workbee” event which would include both a learning opportunity for community members and a supervised volunteer workforce to complete a portion of your project
  • The installation of edible forest gardens (see edible forest garden section)
Please contact us for more information about design and installation options and rates.

Horton front yard, Edmonton, AB.

It’s been almost four years since Ron reinvented our front lawn, and turned it from a patch of plain grass into a beautiful eco-friendly lanscape. As the yard has matured, it’s only gotten better. Our daughters love picking the wild strawberries, and the wild thyme and mint are great in the kitchen. And the yard is always moving and active – whether that’s bees hovering over the thyme, or the tall native grasses waving in the breeze.  Even under a foot of snow, the yard always has something interesting to look at. We really couldn’t be happier about the work. Thanks Ron! ~ Andrew Horton, Edmonton, AB

Millcreek Net Zero Duplex, young landscape, Edmonton, AB.

When we set out to build the ultimate eco-house, there was never any doubt that we wanted Ron Berezan to design and construct the landscape for it. We felt that no one else in the region had his breadth and depth of knowledge about edible, sustainable landscapes. What we didn’t count on was his eye for designing beautiful spaces (making use of many reclaimed materials to boot!). Overall, we are delighted with the yard that Ron and his crew built for us. ~ Conrad Nobert, Mill Creek NetZero Home, Edmonton, AB