Distinctly Montana Magazine

S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 S P E C I A L S E C T I O N • M Y M O N T A N A H O M E 92 OBSERVE "When it starts pouring rain tomorrow, I want you to come out here and watch how the water flows off your roof and onto the ground." is was the recommendation that I gave a client this past spring when I went to her property to talk about a permaculture design. It's not every day that I ask a client to purposefully stand in the rain, but it was important to start observing the patterns of water flow on her property. is ability to get quiet and observe your site is fundamental to the concept of permaculture. What do you hear, smell, and feel when you walk out your backdoor? Where do the leaves and snow accumulate? Where does water run off when it rains? Any soggy or dry spots in your yard? On a hot summer day, where would you feel most comfort- able? What existing resources (e.g. leaves, building materials, plant and seed sources) do you have on site? e more time you spend in the observation phase, the less time you will spend fighting natural forces and undoing your mistakes. Mollison said it best, "Your aim is protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labor." CATCH AND STORE ENERGY Identify what energies come onto your site (e.g. solar, water, wind) and then set up "interception nets" to capture as much of this renewable energy as possible. Do you have a windy site? Set up a wind turbine. Is your yard in full sun? Plant an orchard, a large garden, put up a greenhouse or do all three! MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS In permaculture, every component in your system (e.g. greenhouse, pond, garden, compost pile) should perform mul- tiple functions. For example, our backyard chickens not only provide eggs, but they scratch up the ground and eat pests, their manure adds nutrients to our garden, and their feathers can be added to the compost pile. Similarly, the plant comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is known for its medicinal properties, its purple and pink flowers attract beneficial insects and it's an excellent mineral accumulator. Its leaves can be slashed a couple of times during the growing season and act as nutrient-rich mulch for fruit trees or serve as an excellent addition of "greens" to the compost pile. OBTAIN A YIELD Permaculture design is about meeting more of your needs, whether that is food, medicine, fertilizer, energy, or even fodder for your animals. In other words, don't just plant ornamentals or water a lawn, grow food and medicine instead. Plant an apple or pear tree, mint and lemon balm for teas, purple coneflower and calendula for medicine, borage and lavender to attract pollinators. CHIEKO HORN (3) Kareen with a bountiful harvest

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