The 7 food forest layers: permaculture design guide
A guide to the 7 food forest layers to design resilient, multi-tiered perennial systems that maximize sunlight, soil health, and edible food yields.
Topic
Agroforestry
Agroforestry covers the science and practice of integrating trees into farming systems — from silvopasture and syntropic food forests to nurse-tree establishment and tree–crop economics. Articles examine how farmers design, plant, and manage woody perennials alongside crops and livestock to build productive, resilient land over decades.
110 articles in this topic on agripure. — page 3 of 5
Insectary strips: boost pollinators & control pests organically
Learn how flowering insectary strips attract pollinators and beneficial insects, improving yields and providing organic pest control in your vegetable garden. An IPM strategy.
Polyculture & Interplanting: Pest Control for Midwest Farms
Discover how polyculture and interplanting naturally confuse pests, reduce monoculture reliance, and improve soil health in the Midwest. Learn effective polyculture pest control strategies.
Beneficial Insects by USDA Zone: Planting for Pest Control
Learn how to attract beneficial insects by USDA zone to naturally control pests. This guide details timing plantings of insectary crops like dill & cilantro for effective, sustainable pest management.
Beneficial Insects for Pest Control in USDA Zone 6 Homesteads
Learn how to attract beneficial insects to your USDA Zone 6 homestead using beetle banks & bug hotels. Reduce pest pressure by 30% & cut pesticide use by 50%.
Insectary plants: reduce garden pests by 30% in North America
Insectary plants like alyssum, dill, and fennel attract beneficial insects and can reduce garden pests by up to 30%. Strategic placement provides natural pest control.
Shade netting: reduce fruit tree water needs in desert zones
Shade netting protects desert fruit trees, reducing water use by 20-30%, preventing sunburn, and lowering temperatures by 10-15°F.
Deep Watering Apple & Peach Trees: Drought & Heat Resilience
Master deep watering fruit trees like apples & peaches in USDA zones 6-9. Learn techniques for drought & heat resilience, including soil moisture assessment, drip irrigation, and mulching.
Protecting Trees from Sunscald in Arid US Zones
Learn effective strategies for sunscald protection in arid US zones. Discover how white paint, shade, and proper irrigation save fruit trees and boost yields by preventing heat damage.
Drought-tolerant figs, pomegranates & prickly pear: zones 7-10
Drought-tolerant perennials like figs, pomegranates, and prickly pear reduce water use in USDA zones 7-10 for resilient gardens.
Resilient Edibles: Nopal, Tepary, Chiltepin for Arid US Gardens
Discover nopal, tepary beans, chiltepin, and mesquite – resilient desert plants thriving in arid US climates. Reduce water use by 50-70% and build sustainable food systems.
Selecting Native Plants for Chronically Wet Areas Across US
Discover native trees & shrubs for chronically wet spots across US regions. Improve drainage, reduce runoff, and support wildlife with water-tolerant species.
Passive Irrigation for Wet-Tolerant Crops in USDA Zone 6
Discover how to grow wet-tolerant crops like elderberry, blueberry, and mint in USDA Zone 6. Learn passive irrigation techniques such as ollas, wicking beds, and swales to thrive in moist conditions.
Farm runoff solutions: rain gardens, bioswales, dry creeks
Design farm runoff solutions for properties in USDA Zone 6. Rain gardens, dry creek beds, and bioswales capture, slow, and infiltrate stormwater to protect soil and water quality.
Off-grid pond: native plants and passive aeration in USDA Zone 6
Build and maintain a self-sustaining, off-grid pond in USDA Zone 6 using passive aeration, native plants, and rainwater harvesting for an electricity-free ecosystem.
Swale design for mosquito prevention in USDA zones 6-9
Design and maintain swales to prevent mosquito breeding with proper slopes, spillways, soil amendments, and plant selections.
Swale berms: boost water retention & yields in arid zones
Planting on swale berms boosts water retention, enriches soil with nitrogen-fixers, and supports fruit trees in arid zones.
DIY Biochar: Improve Soil Water Retention & Fertility
Learn to make DIY biochar from yard and wood waste. Enhance soil water retention, boost fertility, and reduce waste with this sustainable homesteading practice.
Propagate fig, pomegranate, mulberry trees: save 75% on costs
Learn to propagate fig, pomegranate, and mulberry trees from cuttings or air layering. Save up to 75% on orchard expansion costs and grow your own fruit trees in USDA zones 6-9.
Chill Hours for Fruit Trees: Stone & Pome Fruit in USDA Zones
Master chill hours for fruit trees! Learn why cold temperatures are vital for stone and pome fruit in USDA zones 4-9. Select varieties for a thriving home orchard.
Formative Pruning Young Fruit Trees: Open-Center vs. Central-Leader
Learn formative pruning techniques for young fruit trees (years 1-3). Compare open-center vs. central-leader systems to build a strong, productive orchard in USDA zone 6.
Planting Fruit Trees in USDA Zone 6: Site Prep & First-Year Care
Master planting fruit trees in USDA Zone 6. Learn crucial site selection, soil preparation, correct planting depth, and first-year care for healthy, productive orchards that thrive for decades.
Microbial Biocontrols: Organic Pest Management in US Agriculture
Explore microbial and biological biocontrols for sustainable pest management in US agriculture. Learn about Bt, nematodes, and IPM strategies for healthier crops and soil.
Protecting Fruit Trees from Heatwaves & Drought in US Southwest
Learn essential strategies for protecting fruit trees from heatwaves and drought in the US Southwest. Implement proactive measures, irrigation, and soil health for climate-resilient orchards.