Create a Resilient Landscape: Permaculture in the Pikes Peak Region

Table of Contents:

Key Permaculture Principles

Applying Permaculture Principles in Colorado Springs

Site Analysis

Zoning

Water Harvesting

Native Plants

Guilds and Polycultures

Edible Landscaping

Water Features

Composting

Animal Husbandry

Environmental Benefits

Economic Benefits

Social Benefits

Education and Resources

Start Small and Experiment

Seek Professional Guidance

Embrace the Journey

Tired of the high maintenance and environmental impact of traditional landscaping? In light of the dry local climate, permaculture offers a sustainable and resilient alternative for Colorado Springs residents. By mimicking nature’s patterns and systems, permaculture can create a beautiful and productive outdoor space that thrives in our arid climate.

If this topic piques your interest, join us as we explore the principles of permaculture, its benefits, and practical tips for implementing it in your Colorado Springs garden. Discover how permaculture can help you reduce water usage, enhance biodiversity, and create a sustainable and self-sufficient landscape.

• Care for the Earth: This principle emphasizes the importance of protecting and nurturing the planet. In Colorado Springs, this involves conserving water, preserving soil health, and promoting biodiversity.
• Care for People: Permaculture seeks to provide for the needs of all people, including future generations. This involves creating sustainable food systems, promoting social justice, and fostering community.
• Fair Share: The principle of fair share encourages a balanced approach to resource use and distribution. In Colorado Springs, this might involve sharing excess produce or knowledge with others in the community.

• Observe Nature: Pay attention to the natural patterns and cycles of your local ecosystem. This will help you design your permaculture garden to mimic and work with nature.
• Catch and Store Energy: Harness renewable energy sources like sunlight and rainwater to create a self-sufficient landscape.
• Obtain Yield: Produce food, fiber, or other resources from your garden to meet your needs.
• Design for Diversity: Incorporate a variety of plants and animals to create a resilient and productive ecosystem.
• Integrate Systems: Connect different elements of your garden to maximize their benefits. For example, plant nitrogen-fixing plants near fruit trees to improve soil fertility.

• Assess your property: Evaluate the slope, soil type, sunlight exposure, and existing vegetation.
• Identify microclimates: Different areas of your property may have unique microclimates that can influence plant growth and water needs.
• Determine your goals: Define what you want to achieve with your permaculture garden, such as food production, habitat creation, or simply a beautiful outdoor space.

• Divide your property into zones: Create different zones based on their function and sunlight exposure. For example, a food production zone might be located in a sunny area, while a wildlife habitat zone could be in a more shaded area.
• Consider the guild model: The guild model involves grouping plants together that benefit each other, such as companion planting or nitrogen-fixing plants near fruit trees. Think about how you can group symbiotic plants in the same area in your yard.

• Collect rainwater: Do you have any way to collect that precious Colorado rainwater? If not, install rain barrels or cisterns to capture rainwater for irrigation and avoid all those costly water bills.
• Create swales: If you have the space for it, another way to collect rainwater is by creating swales. Swales are shallow channels that can help slow down runoff and capture water for plants. With those intense Colorado downpours and flash floods, these can be super useful for collecting rainwater.
• Mulch: Mulch is a classic moisture-retaining ground cover. Use organic mulch to help retain moisture and reduce weed growth.

• Incorporate native plants: Why is it important to plant native Colorado plants in your garden? Native plants are adapted to local conditions and provide habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife. For more information, click here.
• Research suitable species: Not sure what to plant? Research native plants that thrive in Colorado Springs’ climate and soil conditions. For ideas, check out our blog post on native plants.

• Create guilds: Just as people throughout the ages have formed guilds to help one another in the pursuit of a common goal, plants can also benefit from being placed in a guild. This involves grouping plants together that are mutually beneficial to each other and that will draw insects or other animals to the guild that will, in turn, create a healthy ecosystem.
• Practice polyculture: Grow a variety of plants in the same space to increase biodiversity and resilience. This will reduce the need for fertilizer and confuse insects that might be harmful to your garden.

There you have it: some basic guidelines that will help you to get started with designing a permaculture landscape that is both beautiful and functional. Remember to adapt these principles to your specific property and goals.

Now let’s turn our attention to more specific permaculture elements to incorporate in your landscape.

First off, what better way to care for people and animals than to provide food for them? In spite of the harsh climate, Colorado gardens can produce produce (No, the word repetition is not a mistake. Just change your vowel stress for the second word!)!

• Fruit trees: Who doesn’t love fruit? Plant fruit trees that are well-suited to Colorado’s climate, such as apples, pears, or plums.
• Berry bushes: You can also consider planting berry bushes like raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries for a continuous harvest. Yummy!
• Vegetable gardens: How do you spell sustenance without a Victory Garden? While the world wars are a thing of the past, vegetable gardens are not. You can still provide for your family or community by creating raised beds or using companion planting techniques to grow a variety of vegetables.

Incorporating water features into your Colorado Springs landscape is always a good idea if you have the space for it. You don’t have to build fancy fountains and pump in gallons of water. There are many waters to capture Colorado rainwater while creating a sustainable environment where wildlife can thrive. Here are some ideas:

• Rain gardens: Rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with plants that capture and absorb rainwater runoff. They are designed to mimic natural landscapes and help reduce the impact of stormwater on local waterways. They help improve water quality by filtering pollutants from stormwater runoff. Rain gardens also help prevent erosion by slowing down the flow of stormwater and absorbing excess water. They provide a habitat for beneficial insects, birds, and other Colorado wildlife. Finally, rain gardens can be beautiful additions to your landscape, adding color and texture to your outdoor space.
• Ponds: Ponds are versatile water features that can add both aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits to your landscape. You can try recreating natural ponds that attract and support wildlife and create a beautiful focal point in your garden.
• Swales: Swales are shallow channels or trenches that are designed to capture and slow down stormwater runoff. They are a popular feature in sustainable landscaping because they offer numerous benefits such as channeling rainwater toward plants, reducing erosion, filtering stormwater, recharging groundwater, and providing moisture.

The next step in permaculture sustainability is something you’ve most certainly already heard of and tried: composting. Composting is a simple practice that just about anyone can easily do at home. Here are two simple tips for using composting to benefit your garden:

• Create a compost pile: Collect food scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials into a compost pile that will enrich your soil.
• Use compost tea: Did you know that you can still use tea bags after that first cup of steeped tea? Diluted compost tea can also be used as a natural fertilizer and soil amendment. Now think about that before you throw those tea bags in the trash!

Animal husbandry is not for everyone because it requires a lot of space and manual labor. Animals may be cute and delicious to eat, but not everyone has the time needed to take care of them. Nevertheless, keeping farm animals can be a valuable component of a permaculture system. If appropriate, incorporate animals like chickens, bees, or goats into your permaculture system. Animals can provide food, fertilizer, and pest control. Here are further benefits of raising domesticated animals as a part of your permaculture plan:

• Nutrient Cycling: Animals produce manure, which is a rich source of nutrients for plants. By composting or using manure as fertilizer, you can improve soil fertility and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
• Pest Control: Certain animals, such as chickens and ducks, can help control pests like insects and weeds. They can also aerate the soil as they scratch and peck.
• Weed Suppression: Grazing animals can help keep weeds under control, reducing the need for herbicides.
• Pollination: Bees and other pollinators are essential for many plants. By keeping bees or attracting other pollinators to your garden, you can increase crop yields and promote biodiversity.
• Food Production: Animals can provide you with valuable food products, such as eggs, meat, milk, or honey.
• Ecosystem Services: Animals can play a role in maintaining the health and balance of your permaculture system. For example, chickens can help aerate the soil and distribute seeds.
• Educational Opportunities: Raising animals can be a rewarding and educational experience, especially for families with children. This is another way to give back to your local community.

Everyone should be concerned about the environment these days as the natural resources in the world are dwindling and the pollution increasing. Even the smallest efforts can go a long way in helping to protect and preserve Mother Earth. Here are a few ways creating a permaculture landscape can help:

• Reduced water usage: Water can sometimes be in short supply in this arid Colorado climate. Permaculture designs focus on water conservation, minimizing the need for irrigation and pumping in water. It can also reduce those hefty water bills.
• Improved soil health: Permaculture practices like composting and cover cropping enhance soil fertility and structure. Rather than stripping away all of the soil’s nutrients, you can actually contribute to adding those nutrients back into the soil.
• Increased biodiversity: A diverse ecosystem supports pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife. Soon you’ll have your very own wildlife zoo in your Colorado backyard.
• Reduced pesticide use: Permaculture emphasizes natural pest control methods, minimizing the need for harmful chemicals. Phew! We don’t need to absorb any more of those deadly substances into our bodies!

Who doesn’t like to save money? Investing in a permaculture landscape can save you in the long run as you create a sustainable ecosystem. Here’s how:

• Reduced maintenance costs: Permaculture landscapes are designed to create self-sustaining systems that require minimal human intervention and often require less maintenance compared to traditional lawns and gardens. With a permaculture garden you won’t need to hurt your back weeding and pruning as much or spend lots of money on water bills or chemical fertilizers.
• Food production: Growing your own food can reduce food costs and provide fresh, nutritious produce. Rather than driving to the grocery store, you can just walk into your backyard to find all your produce needs.
• Increased property value: Your hard work now does pay off later when it comes to selling the land. A well-maintained permaculture landscape can enhance your property’s value.

Finally, investing in a permaculture landscape can help you to connect with your community better. This can occur in a variety of ways:

• Community engagement: Permaculture can foster a sense of community and connection with nature. As you share your home-grown produce with your neighbors, you will create a closer bond with them. After all, sometimes food really is the way to a person’s heart!
• Educational opportunities: Learning permaculture can be a rewarding and educational experience for individuals and families. Sharing your knowledge with children or adults in your area will increase awareness for sustainability and environmental conservation.
• Improved mental health: What better way to unwind after a stressful day at the office than spending time in your own private nature sanctuary? Gardening and spending time in nature can have positive effects on mental well-being. This will greatly reduce the risk of having a mental breakdown.

Education is key. Find as many resources as you can to increase your knowledge of permaculture landscaping.

• Attend workshops and seminars: Local permaculture groups often offer workshops and courses for beginners. You can explore the classes and workshops offered at Pikes Peak Permaculture, the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, and the Colorado State University Extension. 
• Read books and articles: Explore permaculture literature to gain a deeper understanding of the principles and techniques. Just head over to your local library and ask the librarian to help you find books on permaculture gardens. Some local guides that might be helpful to you are Permaculture in the Rocky Mountains by Michael Judd or The Colorado Gardener’s Guide to Permaculture by David McCloskey.
• Join online communities: Connect with other permaculture enthusiasts and share experiences on Facebook, Meetup, or other platforms.

All great things have small beginnings. The same is true for your permaculture landscape. Rather than getting overwhelmed by the idea of transforming your whole landscape at once, try these techniques to get you started:

• Begin with a small area: Start with a manageable space to test different permaculture techniques.
• Experiment with different plants: Try growing a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs to see what thrives in your garden.
• Observe and adapt: Pay attention to your garden’s needs and make adjustments as necessary.

If you’re totally new to landscaping, why not hire or consult a professional? They can offer you the professional advice needed to get you started on your new permaculture landscape.

• Consult with a permaculture designer: If you’re unsure about where to start, a professional can provide guidance and create a customized design for your property. Contact Fredell Enterprises today to request a consultation on how to transform your yard into a permaculture landscape.
• Join a local permaculture group: Find out who in your area is practicing permaculture. Connect with experienced permaculture practitioners for advice and support.

Permaculture offers a sustainable and resilient approach to landscaping that is perfectly suited for Colorado Springs’ unique climate. By understanding and applying the principles of permaculture, you can create a beautiful, productive, and environmentally friendly garden. Keep in mind all the benefits that we discussed!

Key Benefits of Permaculture in Colorado Springs:

• Reduced water usage: Permaculture designs focus on water conservation, minimizing the need for irrigation.
• Improved soil health: Permaculture practices enhance soil fertility and structure.
• Increased biodiversity: A diverse ecosystem supports pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife.
• Reduced pesticide use: Permaculture emphasizes natural pest control methods, minimizing the need for harmful chemicals.
• Economic benefits: Growing your own food and reducing reliance on external resources can save you money and promote local self-sufficiency.
• Social benefits: Permaculture can foster a sense of community, connection with nature, and educational opportunities.

By embracing permaculture, you can contribute to a more sustainable future for Colorado Springs and enjoy the many benefits of a thriving garden. Start your permaculture journey today by attending workshops, joining local groups, or simply experimenting with a small area in your yard. Finally, call Fredell Enterprises to receive your first consultation on how to get started with planning your new permaculture landscape. Remember, every step towards a more sustainable future makes a difference.