Higher Elevation Permaculture

Building the Cob Oven

Josh — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:48:17 +0000

There are many things in life that I enjoy, but not many that bring the gratitude of gathering with friends and joining in the ancient ritual of eating backyard wood fired pizza. This video documents and explains how to build your own wood fired cob oven. In later videos we will show a number of ways to cook in the oven. Enjoy!

Urban Earth Repair

Josh — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:46:32 +0000

With quick annual veggie production at Higher Elevation well underway we are moving into the second phase of implementation. We we moved in the backyard was fairly unusable space in the traditional sense. The yard mostly covered in a cement slab and what was not covered dropped steeply into the canyon. The soils are very sandy and very prone to erosion merely from walking on them. To even begin to utilize this region meant that we would need to stabilize the slope and allow for access and planting.

Aquaponics Update

Josh — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:17:12 +0000

Well it has been over a month of playing with the aquaponics system. Two of the three beds are planted up and producing some veggies. We have started with kale, broccoli, arugula, chilies, pac choi, peas, chives, strawberries, and lots of lettuce. On the fish side of things we only have a single plate sized catfish caught in San Diego River Watershed and few guppies purchased at the local pet store. The fish at this time do not seem to be producing enough nutrient for all the veggies and so the next step is increasing the fish load. Anyone know where to purchase 25-40 small bluegill locally?

Beginning Aquaponics

Josh — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:55:39 +0000

Higher Elevation has spent the last week building and tuning our first foray into the world of aquaponics. For those people who are unfamiliar with the term “aquaponics” it is a system that combines both aquaculture or the raising of fish with hydroponics that grows plants in a nutrient water solution. Traditional aquaculture produces a lot of dirty waste water and traditional hydroponics requires external nutrient inputs to keep the plants happy. By combining the two systems we create a synergism where the high nutrient fish waste water is cleaned up and feeds the plants. Both the fish and plants win as they are each able to meet their needs and each other’s waste products go to helping the other.

Get a Yield!

Josh — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:18:49 +0000

Many people new to permaculture become overwhelmed with the process of implementing a new permaculture garden design. They don’t quite know where to start or look at all of the projects that they would like to see happen such as raising chickens, fish, veggies, fruit, compost, and whatever other elements that fit into the garden design and almost become paralyzed with where to begin. One mantra heard through many permaculture circles is to “start at your front or back door” and then work out from there. This is a very helpful starting point as it not only gives you a physical place to begin, but one can work on a small project, which is not nearly so daunting as trying to take on the whole project at once.

Higher Elevation Permaculture Seeks an Intern

Josh — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 03:30:12 +0000

Greetings fellow permies! Higher Elevation Permaculture seeks an intern who would like to gain some hands on experience installing and working on an urban permaculture homestead. I am looking for someone to help out 2-4 hours a week with the numerous projects coming up. Projects will vary depending on what needs to get done. Upcoming projects include:

Building urbanite (broken concrete) terraces to harvest rainwater, stop erosion, and prep the area for future greywater irrigated food forest.
Building a chicken coop out of natural and reclaimed materials
Setting up an aquaponics system to raise fish and produce
Nursery and plant propagation
Herb spiral
Cob oven
....and many others

I am looking for someone eager to learn and can handle lifting and moving heavy objects. Work is very rewarding. For more information contact Josh (928) 853-9716 or email using any contact form on this website.

Compensation:

Besides gaining valuable hands-on experience, each intern will also also be able to attend paid workshops for free or at a reduced rate depending on hours that are volunteered. Workshops are held throughout the year and include a full permaculture design course, water harvesting and food forestry workshops and many others.

Higher Elevation Permaculture Breaks Ground

Josh — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 03:16:34 +0000

Moving from icy Flagstaff to sunny San Diego has opened up a whole new world of permaculture possibilities: year round growing, sub-tropical fruit, and mild temperatures. Through the next few months I will be posting information on the progress of transforming a typical urban home into a food producing oasis. Located in Bay Park, minutes from the ocean and yet just outside of the major fog belt of the coastal beaches. In posts to follow check out the progress and how-to information on such topics as:

rainwater and greywater harvesting
food forestry
natural building
aquaponics
top bar and backyard beekeeping
urban chicken production
soil building (composting, mulching, worm farming)
appropriate technology
nursery and plant propagation
veggie gardening
permaculture design principles