Practical Permaculture | Gardening and Intentional Living

In this inspiring episode, Alysse sits down with Susan to explore the world of fruit trees and community gardening. Drawing from over 15 years of hands-on experience, Susan shares her journey of cultivating a thriving community orchard, offering practical advice on planting tips, pruning techniques, pest management, and promoting soil health.

Learn how cross-pollination affects fruit production, why grafting can expand your harvest, and how urban gardening spaces can support healthy ecosystems. Whether you're just getting started with a bare root tree or managing an established orchard, this episode delivers essential knowledge for both beginners and seasoned gardeners.

🌳 Key Takeaways:

• Community gardening fosters connection, education, and sustainability.

• Successful fruit tree care involves managing pests, diseases, and proper pruning.

• Healthy soil is the foundation for strong tree growth and productivity.

• Cross-pollination is vital for many fruit trees to produce abundant fruit.

• Grafting allows multiple fruit varieties to grow on a single tree.

• Start with good planning—location, tree type, and soil prep matter.

• Community orchards thrive with shared support and long-term vision.

• Growing fruit trees requires patience and consistent care.

🎧 Tune in now to gain expert insights and step-by-step guidance on building your own fruitful gardening journey—right in your backyard or shared community space!

✅ Subscribe for more gardening tips and orchard insights!
👍 Like this podcast if you found it helpful
💬 Comment with your favorite fruit tree or tip you’ve learned
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🔗 Connect With Us:Practical Permaculture Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practical_permaculture/Website: OrchardPeople.comPodcast: https://podcast.orchardpeople.com/Courses: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/Books: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books

🎁 LIMITED OFFER – Get $50 OFF a comprehensive water testUse code PRACTICAL at 👉 mywaterscore.com.auLink: http://bit.ly/44osI54

Ready to rethink gardening and your perspective of your land? Jax takes us on a wild, inspiring ride through the world of syntropic food forestry—where weeds are friends, storytelling connects us to plants, and local flora are the real MVPs. 🌿

We dig into:
✨ Why gardening is more about the journey than the harvest
🌾 How cultural heritage shapes our green spaces
🌱 The surprising role of weeds (they’re not the enemy!)
📖 The magic of storytelling in plant wisdom
📱 How to break free from social media perfection traps
💪 The real work (and joy!) of being a land steward

Whether you're growing a garden or just planting the seed of curiosity, this episode will root you deeper in nature and inspiration. 🌍💚

Connect with Jax

Instagram: Proudfoot.ff

YouTube: Proudfoot.foodforest

Newsletter: https://proudfootpost.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Acknowledgement-We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.

In this episode, we chat with Tianda, founder of the uForage and a busy mum on a mission to reshape how we share food. Tianda shares her journey as a parent and entrepreneur, and how witnessing food abundance in her own community sparked the idea for uForage — a platform designed to connect people through local produce, reduce food waste, and improve food security.

We dive into:

• The challenges of food insecurity in modern communities
• How the app helps users find and share local, wild, and surplus food
• Why keeping the platform accessible and free is at the heart of its mission
• Plans to expand with foraging education and preservation tips
• The vision of building stronger, more sustainable food networks
• 
  

Whether you're into sustainability, tech for good, or just curious how local food sharing works, this conversation will inspire you.

📝 Key Takeaways:

• Tianda is a regular mum balancing family life and entrepreneurship
• uForage is an app that connects people to local food sources
• Inspired by the abundance many communities already have
• Tackles food insecurity and food waste head-on
• Categories include wild food, leftovers, and homegrown produce
• Pay-what-you-can model ensures accessibility
• Focused on community, education, and sustainability

Connect with Tianda https://uforage.com.au/ or https://www.instagram.com/uforageapp/ 

🎁 LIMITED OFFER – Get $50 OFF a comprehensive water testUse code PRACTICAL at 👉 mywaterscore.com.auLink: http://bit.ly/44osI54

Like, comment, and subscribe for more. Acknowledgement-We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.

In this warming and grounding episode, Alysse sits down with Nanna Anna —educator, gardener, and long-time permaculture practitioner — to explore what Everyday Permaculture looks like.

“Nanna” Anna shares her lived experience withhonesty, humour, and hope. Together, they unpack:
🏡 Living intergenerationally and the emotional journey of moving
🧶 Reviving traditional crafts and skills in a modern context
🌱Finding purpose through growing and sharing food
⚡ Doing more with less: energy audits and small sustainable wins
🍞 The power of gifting economies and community resource sharing
💚 Eco-guilt, grace, and unlearning perfectionism
🌆 Making permaculture work in the suburbs

Whether you're navigating your own life shifts or seeking practical ways to deepen your sustainability practice, this episode is full of relatable insights, grounded wisdom, and a gentle reminder that you’re not alone on thispath.

🎁 Special Offer: Get $50 OFF your first comprehensive water test with code PRACTICAL at mywaterscore.com.au
Or visit: http://bit.ly/44osI54

🔗 Connect with Anna:
theurbannanna.com | @theurbannanna on Instagram

Acknowledgement-We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.

Want to test your water?Get $50! off your first comprehensive water test at ⁠⁠mywaterscore.com.au⁠⁠ with code "PRACTICAL" visit the site here: http://bit.ly/44osI54

Tuck yourself into a shady spot or stroll through the garden — today we’re heading to the Northern Rivers to hear how one homesteader is turning challenge into abundance. 🌳🫖

In this episode of The Practical Permaculture Podcast, Alysse connects with Alex, a passionate homesteader and agroforestry advocate, about her journey transforming a drought- and bushfire-affected block into a thriving, diverse ecosystem.

From the early days of traditional veggie gardening to the deep dive into tree-based systems, Alex shares how climate challenges sparked a shift in mindset — and planting method. The two dive into the real-life learning curve of growing food in changing conditions, and how biodiversity and self-sufficiency became cornerstones of Alex’s permaculture path.

You’ll hear about:🌱 Transitioning from garden beds to agroforestry🔥 Building resilience after drought and fire🌿 The joy (and nourishment) of foraging and wild foods🐓 Integrating animals into the ecosystem🌾 Seasonal eating, edible weeds, and growing with the land🌳 Alex’s work at Daley’s Nursery and her favourite food forest picks🤝 Why community, education, and connection matter more than ever

Whether you’re deep in your own permaculture project or just starting to dig in, this episode is packed with grounded wisdom, lived experience, and the kind of inspiration that gets your hands back in the soil.

Connect with Alex:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dreamsofgreen

Website: https://dreamsofgreen.com.au/

FREE Consult: bit.ly/dreamsofgreen

Acknowledgement-We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.

Want to test your water?

Get $50! off your first comprehensive water test at ⁠⁠mywaterscore.com.au⁠⁠ with code "PRACTICAL"

Acknowledgement-

We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.

Grab a cuppa and settle in — we’re diving into the roots of one of permaculture’s most beloved publications. 🌱📖

In this episode of The Practical Permaculture Podcast, Alysse sits down with Robyn Rosenfeldt, founder and editor of Pip Magazine. Robyn shares the inspiring story of how Pip came to life, weaving together her passion for storytelling, sustainable living, and the everyday realities of parenting.

Together, they explore the challenges of balancing a growing magazine with family life, what it means to live permaculture beyond the garden, and how community and care are at the heart of both publishing and parenting. Robyn also opens up about the importance of self-care, staying grounded, and dreaming big — including future plans for Pip, from online courses to in-person events.

You’ll hear about:
📰 The origin story of Pip Magazine
🌿 How permaculture principles support life at home and at work
👩‍👧 Navigating motherhood while growing a meaningful business
🌍 The role of media in building sustainable, connected communities
📚 What’s next for Pip — and how you can get involved

Whether you're raising kids, veggies, or ideas, this episode is packed with real talk and inspiration to keep you growing.

Connect with Robyn;

https://www.instagram.com/pipmagazineau/

Pip magazine

Keywords

Pip Magazine, permaculture, sustainable living, motherhood, gardening, community, Australian magazine, food production, eco-friendly, parenting

Check out Botanical Bazaar festival here: ⁠https://bit.ly/3Rsvdfl⁠The Gold Coast's Premier Gardening and Sustainable living festival August 2nd and 3rd.

In this episode of The Practical Permaculture Podcast, Alysse chats with the ever-thoughtful Hampus — a Swedish sportsman-turned-permaculture enthusiast who swapped snow for sun and now digs deep (literally!) into the soils of the Hunter Valley, Australia.

Together, they explore what it’s like to begin the permaculture journey from scratch: think backyard experiments, kid-powered composting, and big dreams of off-grid living. Hampus shares his path from athlete to earth steward, how moving across the globe sparked a new connection to the land, and why teaching kids to grow food is one of the most radical acts we can do.

Connect with Hampus:

Instagram: @hampustheorganicgardener

Website: www.hampustheorganicgardener.com

We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.

Check out Botanical Bazaar festival here: ⁠https://bit.ly/3Rsvdfl⁠The Gold Coast's Premier Gardening and Sustainable living festival August 2nd and 3rd.

We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.

Show notes:

In this episode of The Practical Permaculture Podcast, Alysse sits down with the inspiring duo Ashleigh and Jarrod, who left the city, lived in a tent (WHILE PREGNANT!) to build a cozy, eco-conscious  built with hempcrete! (Spoiler alert —  it’s amazing.)

Join us for a chat about their journey through the highs and lows of building a sustainable home from the ground up. Navigating building codes and pushing for their non negotiable items (double glazing) Ashleigh and Jarrod share how they turned their permaculture principles into practical, livable reality — one step at a time.

Expect real talk about:
🌱 Why they ditched the conventional path for a greener one
🏗️ The world of hempcrete and climate-smart design
🚽 What it really takes to manage waste sustainably
🎓 Their passion for teaching others through tours and workshops

Whether you're dreaming of a sustainable build or just love a good back-to-the-land story, this episode will leave you fired up and full of ideas for building a home — and a life — that works with nature, not against it.

Connect with Ashleigh and Jarrod:

 www.thesimplepatch.com

https://www.instagram.com/thesimplepatch/

Check out Botanical Bazaar festival here: ⁠https://bit.ly/3Rsvdfl⁠The Gold Coast's Premier Gardening and Sustainable living festival August 2nd and 3rd.

Grab your farm boots we are heading west!

In this episode of The Practical Permaculture Podcast, Alysse sits down with Pascale and Troy — a dynamic duo who swapped sailing the WORLD for life as full-time land stewards in South West WA. From navigating waves to wranglinggoats, their journey into homesteading is packed with wisdom, grit, and a whole lot of heart.

Together, they dive into the realities of regenerative living: managing animals, milking goats, and using pigs to transform weedy pastures into lush grazing land. It’s not just about food — it’s about ethics, community, and learning howto work with the land instead of against it.

You’ll learn:
🐐 Why goats are the MVPs of weed control
🐖 How pigs can help regenerate pasture — and what it’s like to process your own meat
🥛 What it takes to dive into small-scale dairy (hint: more patience than you think)
🌽 How their approach to food preservation has changed over time
🫶The joys and challenges of raising animals with kids on the land
🌏 Why caretaking land means more than just "owning" it

Whether you’re dreaming of ditching the city or knee-deep in your own homestead project — this episode is a real, grounded look at sustainable farming, family life, and finding purpose through self-reliance.

We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.

Check out Botanical Bazaar festival here: ⁠https://bit.ly/3Rsvdfl⁠The Gold Coast's Premier Gardening and Sustainable living festival August 2nd and 3rd. Mummas, time to tend to your inner garden — we’re heading into Zone 00. 🌸In this episode of The Practical Permaculture Podcast, Alysse sits down with the wise and wonderful Jodi Wilson— mother, author, and all-around matrescence maven — to explore the often-overlooked terrain of Zone 00: our selves. Together, they unpack the wild, tender journey of modern motherhood — from identity shifts and mental health to the sacred messiness of it all. Jodi shares how matrescence (think adolescence, but with nappies and deeper soul work) shaped her worldview, and why tending to our inner world is just as vital as caring for our gardens.Expect real talk, nourishing insights, and plenty of gentle reminders that yes — you are doing enough. 🌼You’ll hear about:🌻 How permaculture principles apply to your mind, body, and motherhood🛁 The power of rituals, boundaries, and slow living🤯 Why our culture kinda sets moms up to burn out — and what to do about it🌙 Practical ways to reclaim your joy, presence, and sanity💗 The surprising connection between self-awareness and sustainabilityWhether you’re a mama deep in the trenches or just craving a reset for your inner world, this episode will leave you feeling grounded, seen, and inspired to grow from the inside out. Connect with Jodi:Substack Practising Simplicity https://practisingsimplicity.substack.com/and Dear New Mum https://dearnewmum.substack.com/Book- Practising Simplicity https://yourbookstore.io/p/practising-simplicity-small-steps-and-brave-choices-for-a-life-less-distracted?barcode=9781922351708We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.