Erik Ohlsen is a master of regenerative design, an internationally recognized Permaculture teacher, a landscape contractor, author, farmer, herbalist, storyteller, and practitioner of Nordic folk traditions.

Since 1999 Erik has founded numerous organizations that regenerate ecosystems including his award winning design and build firm Permaculture Artisans and The Permaculture Skills Center where thousands of students around the world learn ecological landscaping and regenerative agriculture.

Working as an internationally renowned regenerative designer, he has committed decades to repairing ecosystems and connecting people with the land throughout the globe. He has designed and implemented hundreds of regenerated landscapes ranging from small urban lots to large tracts of land.

His many years of experience observing and listening to landscape patterns while managing installation crews have led to an extensive knowledge of ecological land development and planning. He is a specialist in water harvesting systems, food forest design, community organizing, facilitation, vocational education and much more. In all of his work there is a presence of social equity, climate justice, and ecosystem restoration and his stories and achievements continue to empower people worldwide.

Foreword 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:...