A Virtual Tour of Midwest Permaculture's Yard

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[@mcmandible]

I've been looking for a video like this for months. Thank you!

[@bradlafferty]

I was glued to your presentation. Got teary hearing you talk about fresh peaches right off the tree! Yeah, I totally get that. Thanks for the lesson! Very well done and I appreciated the questions from the students.

[@billwilson175]

I feel the same way, Brad. To have a yard that produces such a variety of delicious edibles seems like a no-brainer now, but it felt far away when we first started. I am humbled by the bounty of nature now surrounding us now. Brings tears to my eyes in gratitude. 🙂

[@paulorod13]

Awesome lecture, Bill! Thanks 👍👍

[@pjchmiel]

Thanks for the updated tour, I would appreciate seeing more editing cuts to show whatever you're talking about, rather than just the static aerial map views, but this is a great model for what can be done in a typical yard.

[@KMouseff]

It's a really beautiful space. I have to imagine that many of your neighbors are pretty thrilled with what you've done here.

[@billwilson175]

There are a few neighbors who don't understand it and think our yard looks overgrown but no one has complained to our community board. On the other hand, most of our neighbors love our yard. It's a kid magnet too. Our friends with children love visiting.

[@ussspirit4812]

Hmmm the biggest issue is with my HOA. wonder how much they'll allow😢

[@RandiAugustaKarlstrm]

Awesome!

[@jeffjuracka7428]

This is great, thanks Bill! Question for you - who do you turn to to get an elevation survey for your lawn? Is this something local munis have already, or do you hire a third party? Appreciate your insights!

[@MidwestPermaculture]

We have full video instructions for all our site data gathering here midwestpermaculture.com/design-tools-package/, if you just want the sites we have them available as a download for free. Often you can get good info from your county's GIS too (just ask google). - Milton

[@billwilson175]

We put in our raingardens before we owned a laser level but the old A-frame told us everything we needed to know. No one really needs an elevation survey for a residential design. Thanks for asking.

[@shlomogoldman3214]

This is inspiring. How do you maintain/clean the tank? I presume it gets a lot of algae growth?

[@MidwestPermaculture]

It's pretty shaded so it builds up slowly. About every three years or so bill will spray it out with a power washer. - Milton

[@billwilson175]

Yup.... algae does grow, but since we just use the water for irrigation it matters not. Every other spring I will pressure wash the inside of the tank before I reverse the gutters and start holding water again for the coming growing season. It takes about 15 minutes.

[@KatherineChalmers]

With so much standing water, how do you keep the mosquitoes from completely taking over the yard? Do you have to wear long pants and long sleeves year-round to keep from being eaten up?

[@MidwestPermaculture]

That's a great question... The life cycle of the larvae is 7-10 days. At first the raingardens would empty in about 5 days unless there were repeated rains. Now that plants are well established they empty much faster, more like 2-3 days. So, we've never had an issue with them!

[@billwilson175]

GREAT question. The life cycle of mosquito larvae is 7-10 days. The rain gardens empty in 1-2 days. We've never had a mosquito problem.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

This is an example of a, *"Yard of the Future".* Conventional lawns require time, money & labor, while returning nothing of use or value. Moreover, they are a major source of pollution & waste. A permaculture yard, once established, requires little-to-no resources, while providing a surprising abundance, & all with zero waste. ......and is it all embarrassingly simple.

[@MidwestPermaculture]

Thanks Troy! Imaging if everyone had a yard like this? We do.