---
title: GrowPerma — Permaculture Gardening Guides, Companion Planting & Composting
description: Science-backed permaculture gardening for every scale. Companion planting charts, composting guides, food forest design & soil health — from balcony to homestead.
---

[Skip to content](https://growperma.com#main-content)

[![GrowPerma Logo](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/icon-512.png?width=40&height=40&name=icon-512.png)](https://growperma.com/?hsLang=en)

- [Blog](https://growperma.com/blog)
- [About](https://growperma.com/about)

[Join the Weekly Dig](https://growperma.com/newsletter?hsLang=en)

- [Blog](https://growperma.com/blog)
- [About](https://growperma.com/about)

[Join the Weekly Dig](https://growperma.com/newsletter?hsLang=en)

500+ research-backed guides · Every claim cites its source

# Gardens that work like forests

Evidence-based permaculture for real backyards. Build a garden that feeds your family and mostly runs itself — no ten acres required, no jargon walls, no guilt trips.

[Join the Weekly Dig](https://growperma.com#seven-layer-guide) [Browse the guides →](https://growperma.com/blog?hsLang=en)

![Pencil-crayon illustration of a backyard transforming into a seven-layer food forest, from lawn to canopy](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-hero-food-forest.webp?width=1920&height=1080&name=home-v4-hero-food-forest.webp)

Fig. 1 — an ordinary backyard, redesigned to run itself.

Field notes for every plot size

## What’s your space?

[All articles →](https://growperma.com/blog?hsLang=en)

### [![Pencil-crayon illustration of a balcony garden with containers, herbs and a vertical trellis](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-router-balcony.webp?width=800&height=600&name=home-v4-router-balcony.webp) 6 sq ft and up The Balcony Containers, vertical trellises, and a worm bin in the corner. Permaculture principles scaled down to a few square feet. Start small →](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations?hsLang=en)

### [![Pencil-crayon illustration of a suburban backyard with curved beds and a young fruit tree guild](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-router-backyard.webp?width=800&height=600&name=home-v4-router-backyard.webp) The quarter-acre The Backyard Turn lawn into food. Guilds, curved beds, and a compact food forest that fits behind an ordinary suburban house. Plan the yard →](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest?hsLang=en)

### [![Pencil-crayon illustration of a homestead with swales, food forest rows and a farmhouse](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-router-homestead.webp?width=800&height=600&name=home-v4-router-homestead.webp) Acreage The Homestead Swales, syntropic rows, and systems thinking for land that should feed you back — without burning you out. Scale it up →](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture?hsLang=en)

The most productive gardens are the ones the gardener *barely touches*.

— the idea behind every guide we publish

Forests feed themselves. Nobody fertilises them, waters them, or sprays them — yet they produce more biomass per square metre than any farm. Permaculture is the craft of borrowing that design for a backyard.

We write about it the way a knowledgeable friend explains it over coffee: what to plant on Saturday first, the philosophy second, and a citation for every claim — cross-referenced against Mollison, Shepard, Hemenway, and Jacke & Toensmeier.

[Read our story →](https://growperma.com/about?hsLang=en)

![The 7-Layer Backyard — free illustrated guide cover](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-guide-cover.webp?width=800&height=1000&name=home-v4-guide-cover.webp)

The Weekly Dig

## One email a week, worth the minute

What to plant, what to fix, what to leave alone. Every issue checked against university extension research before it goes out. Confirm your address and The 7-Layer Backyard opens on the next page, free.

The system behind the slogan

## Seven layers, one garden

A forest stacks its production vertically. So does a well-designed backyard. Trace each layer — every one links to the guides that build it.

![Cross-section illustration of the seven layers of a food forest, from canopy trees to root crops in the soil](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-seven-layers.webp?width=1920&height=1080&name=home-v4-seven-layers.webp)

- [01 Canopy Food Forest Tall fruit and nut trees form the roof of the system — apples, chestnuts, mulberries working overhead.](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest?hsLang=en)
- [02 Understory Food Forest Dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees thrive in the dappled light beneath the canopy.](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest?hsLang=en)
- [03 Shrub Food Forest Currants, gooseberries, and berry bushes fill the middle height with low-effort harvests.](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest?hsLang=en)
- [04 Herbaceous Companion Planting Herbs and vegetables — where companion planting pairings do their heaviest lifting.](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting?hsLang=en)
- [05 Ground cover Companion Planting Strawberries, clover, and creeping thyme protect soil and crowd out weeds.](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting?hsLang=en)
- [06 Root zone Soil & Composting Where compost becomes fertility — roots, worms, and the living soil food web.](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting?hsLang=en)
- [07 Vine Food Forest Grapes, beans, and climbers stitch the layers together vertically.](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest?hsLang=en)

[Read the full 7-layer guide →](https://growperma.com/blog/7-layers-of-a-food-forest-understanding-vertical-structure?hsLang=en)

The departments

## What we cover

[Browse everything →](https://growperma.com/blog?hsLang=en)

- ### [01 Companion Planting Science-backed plant pairings that boost yield, repel pests, and build soil — not folklore, not guesswork. ![Three Sisters guild illustration — corn, beans and squash](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-pillar-companion.webp?width=600&height=600&name=home-v4-pillar-companion.webp)](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting?hsLang=en)
- ### [02 Soil & Composting Turn kitchen scraps into garden gold. Hot, cold, bokashi, and worm-bin methods for every scale. ![Compost heap cutaway illustration with worms](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-pillar-soil.webp?width=600&height=600&name=home-v4-pillar-soil.webp)](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting?hsLang=en)
- ### [03 Permaculture Foundations Zones, principles, and first designs — the thinking toolkit, explained without the lecture. ![Hand-drawn permaculture zone map illustration](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-pillar-foundations.webp?width=600&height=600&name=home-v4-pillar-foundations.webp)](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations?hsLang=en)
- ### [04 Food Forest Design Layer-by-layer guides to a self-sustaining food forest — even on a quarter-acre suburban lot. ![Small food forest grove illustration](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-pillar-food-forest.webp?width=600&height=600&name=home-v4-pillar-food-forest.webp)](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest?hsLang=en)
- ### [05 Syntropic Agriculture The Brazilian method taking permaculture further: dense planting, heavy pruning, fast succession. ![Dense syntropic planting row illustration](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-pillar-syntropic.webp?width=600&height=600&name=home-v4-pillar-syntropic.webp)](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/syntropic-agriculture?hsLang=en)
- ### [06 Permaculture Around the World Chinampas, terraces, forest gardens — what five continents can teach a backyard gardener. ![Globe illustration with gardens growing across continents](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-pillar-worldwide.webp?width=600&height=600&name=home-v4-pillar-worldwide.webp)](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-around-the-world?hsLang=en)

Fresh from the field

## Latest from the garden

[All 500+ articles →](https://growperma.com/blog?hsLang=en)

### [![Raspberry canes held between wires on a wooden T-trellis with ripe berries and a gardener tying a cane with soft twine](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1137-hero-berry-trellis-20260925-053040.webp?width=800&height=450&name=gp-1137-hero-berry-trellis-20260925-053040.webp) Companion Planting Blackberry and Raspberry Trellis: Dimensions by Type and How to Build One Peter Vogel · 25 Sep 2026](https://growperma.com/blog/blackberry-raspberry-trellis?hsLang=en)

### [Companion Planting Cucumber Trellis: How Tall, Which Kind, and What to Buy for Every Climber Peter Vogel · 24 Sep 2026](https://growperma.com/blog/cucumber-trellis?hsLang=en)

### [Soil & Composting Best Outdoor Compost Bin: Picks by Yard Size Peter Vogel · 15 Sep 2026](https://growperma.com/blog/best-compost-bin-picks-for-every-yard?hsLang=en)

![Open field journal with planting notes, seed packets and a trowel](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homepage-v4/home-v4-journal-vignette.webp?width=1080&height=720&name=home-v4-journal-vignette.webp)

Tried, tested, recommended

## What we’d actually buy

[Browse all guides →](https://growperma.com/blog?hsLang=en)

Honest roundups matched to your garden’s size and soil — every pick explained, with the trade-offs spelled out. GrowPerma is reader-supported: some links earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

### [![Pencil-crayon illustration of a curated permaculture library with stacks of well-loved books, a reading lamp, and an open notebook of sketches](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0090-permaculture-books-hero.webp?width=800&height=600&name=gp-0090-permaculture-books-hero.webp) Reading list 15 essential permaculture books The reads that shaped how we garden — Mollison to Hemenway to Crawford — sorted by level, with a reading order that works. See the reading list →](https://growperma.com/blog/permaculture-books-15-essential-reads-for-every-level?hsLang=en)

### [![Colored-pencil illustration of a broadfork standing in a freshly loosened garden bed](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-broadfork-hero.webp?width=800&height=600&name=gp-broadfork-hero.webp) Tools The best broadfork for your beds Heavy-clay, best-value, heirloom, and budget picks — matched to your garden size and soil, with honest pros and cons. See our picks →](https://growperma.com/blog/best-broadfork-picks-by-garden-size?hsLang=en)

### [![Colored-pencil illustration of three backyard compost bins: a mesh ring, an enclosed bin, and a tumbler](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-compost-bin-hero.webp?width=800&height=600&name=gp-compost-bin-hero.webp) Compost The best compost bin for every yard Big-volume budget, tidy enclosed, insulated no-turn, or small-space tumbler — the right bin for your space, honestly compared. See our picks →](https://growperma.com/blog/best-compost-bin-picks-for-every-yard?hsLang=en)

### [![Colored-pencil illustration of several styles of raised garden bed in a backyard: tall oval galvanised metal, low rectangular metal and cedar timber, all planted](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-1128-best-raised-beds-hero.webp?width=800&height=600&name=gp-1128-best-raised-beds-hero.webp) Raised beds The best raised bed for your soil Six beds judged on soil depth, coating life and whether you can top them up without dismantling. Metal and cedar, honestly compared. See our picks →](https://growperma.com/blog/best-raised-garden-beds?hsLang=en)

The Weekly Dig

## One email a week, worth the minute

What to plant, what to fix, what to leave alone. Every issue checked against university extension research before it goes out. Confirm your address and The 7-Layer Backyard opens on the next page, free.

Why gardeners trust GrowPerma

500+ cited guides

Every claim links to its source — university extension research, peer-reviewed studies, and the foundational permaculture texts.

Tagged by scale

From a 6-square-foot balcony to a 60-acre homestead. Filter every article for the space you actually have.

Practical first

We tell you what to plant on Saturday before we explain the philosophy behind it. Theory earns its place by being useful.

Grounded in Mollison · Shepard · Hemenway · Jacke & Toensmeier — and 500+ primary sources cited across the site.

Before you dig in

## Common questions

The five questions every new permaculture gardener asks — answered straight, with the details one click away.

 What is a food forest, and can I grow one in a small yard?

A food forest is a garden designed to mimic a natural forest ecosystem with seven distinct layers — from canopy trees down to root crops and ground cover. Yes, you can absolutely build one in a small yard. Our guides cover designs for as little as 200 square feet.

 How is permaculture different from organic gardening?

Organic gardening focuses on what you don't use (synthetic chemicals). Permaculture focuses on how you design — creating self-maintaining systems where plants, soil, water, and wildlife work together. The goal is a garden that needs less input over time, not more.

 Do I need a lot of space to start with permaculture?

Not at all. Permaculture principles work on a balcony, in raised beds, or across acres. We tag every article by scale — from 6 square feet to 60 acres — so you can filter for what fits your situation exactly.

 What is companion planting and does it really work?

Companion planting is the practice of growing specific plants together for mutual benefit — pest deterrence, pollination support, nitrogen fixation, or shade regulation. It's backed by decades of agricultural research, and we cite every source so you can verify the claims yourself.

 How do I start composting at home?

Start with a simple cold compost pile: alternate layers of green material (food scraps, grass clippings) with brown material (leaves, cardboard) in a 1:3 ratio. Keep it moist but not wet. In 3-6 months, you'll have rich, dark compost. Our composting guides cover hot, cold, and worm bin methods for every situation.

The Weekly Dig

## Start this Saturday, not next season

One practical permaculture email a week. The 7-Layer Backyard is yours the moment you confirm.

Gardens that work like forests.

![GrowPerma](https://growperma.com/hubfs/icon-512.png)

Gardens That Work Like Forests — the smart-friend guide to permaculture for normal backyards.

#### Explore

- [Blog](https://growperma.com/blog?hsLang=en)
- [Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting?hsLang=en)
- [Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting?hsLang=en)
- [Food Forests](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest?hsLang=en)
- [Permaculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations?hsLang=en)

#### Resources

- [About](https://growperma.com/about?hsLang=en)
- [All Articles](https://growperma.com/blog?hsLang=en)

#### Legal

- [Imprint](https://growperma.com/imprint?hsLang=en)
- [Privacy Policy](https://growperma.com/privacy-policy?hsLang=en)
- [Affiliate Disclosure](https://growperma.com/affiliate-disclosure?hsLang=en)
- Cookie Settings

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. GrowPerma also uses other affiliate links and may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.

© 2026 GrowPerma. All rights reserved. A project by [peppereffect](https://peppereffect.com).

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity" : [ {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "A food forest is a garden designed to mimic a natural forest ecosystem with seven distinct layers — from canopy trees down to root crops and ground cover. Yes, you can absolutely build one in a small yard. Our guides cover designs for as little as 200 square feet."
    },
    "name" : "What is a food forest, and can I grow one in a small yard?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "Organic gardening focuses on what you don't use (synthetic chemicals). Permaculture focuses on how you design — creating self-maintaining systems where plants, soil, water, and wildlife work together. The goal is a garden that needs less input over time, not more."
    },
    "name" : "How is permaculture different from organic gardening?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "Not at all. Permaculture principles work on a balcony, in raised beds, or across acres. We tag every article by scale — from 6 square feet to 60 acres — so you can filter for what fits your situation exactly."
    },
    "name" : "Do I need a lot of space to start with permaculture?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "Companion planting is the practice of growing specific plants together for mutual benefit — pest deterrence, pollination support, nitrogen fixation, or shade regulation. It's backed by decades of agricultural research, and we cite every source so you can verify the claims yourself."
    },
    "name" : "What is companion planting and does it really work?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "Start with a simple cold compost pile: alternate layers of green material (food scraps, grass clippings) with brown material (leaves, cardboard) in a 1:3 ratio. Keep it moist but not wet. In 3-6 months, you'll have rich, dark compost. Our composting guides cover hot, cold, and worm bin methods for every situation."
    },
    "name" : "How do I start composting at home?"
  } ]
}
```