The primary focus of Yards of Plenty is creating landscapes that fit into the environment. I create gardens that have a native edible forest. The height of the garden is managed with the species selected. For example, I am creating a low-rise edible forest in my yard since I have a smaller yard where large trees would simply take over the sun completely.

Please read my Mission, Goals and Objectives to learn more.

If you are not familiar with us and your first contact with us is online, I would be pleased to hear from you! Please let me know what your needs and questions are, I will be more than happy to help.

We are ORGANIC Only!!

 

To Create a Peaceful and Edible Design

My mission is to provide a Landscape Design that will give you yards of precious edibles, by creating your space to be organically nutrient rich. Your yard will be inviting and you can pluck random edibles along your stroll.  You will spend little time maintaining and spend lots of time socializing in your yard.  You will feel peaceful. 

I use methods derived from my learnings of permaculture, as well as my personal gardening experiences in New Jersey.  I have been gardening since I was old enough to play in the dirt. Mom was a farmer and to this day she continues to garden.  She practiced organic gardening looong before it was a 'big deal'. 

My definition of Permaculture.... 
Permaculture is a design that allows for one to live sustainably throughout the year, regardless of the climate or location by using the resources that are available to you at your specific site.  This design assists plant, insect and animal species to flourish in an environment that recycles within itself.

A Permaculture environment provides harmony with all living species, using the wind, sun, soil, water, moon and landscape.  There is no impact to the environment that will disrupt the natural occurrence of life.  Even areas of poor sustainability of life where there is lack of water, or soil that has lost its nutrient level can be designed to harvest water and restore the soil nutrients by using plants, animals and techniques that will give these nutrients back and provide food.  This is achieved by using plants that have natural nutrient accumulators, nitrogen fixers, habitat and are edible.  The scale to which one wishes to achieve this, can vary from a very small space to a very large farm.   Imagine an entire country that creates such environment!

Objectives

• Keep deer out by creating a natural fence of plant species they don’t prefer. And by creating a fence using low cost materials.
• Create a beautiful and productive yard.
• Provide year round Edibles, such as berries, root vegetables, fruits, etc..
• Little or no watering.  Divert downspouts and create swales.
• Create a Low maintenance yard by using organic mulching methods, water diversion, and interplantings.
  
• Use plants that will benefit each other. Many plants accumulate nutrients from the soil, and can be used to benefit other plants. I try to use as many species of plant that provide both food and nutrients. This will reduce the need to fertilize.
• Make your yard enjoyable to spend time in.
  
• Experiment with different native plants. I use a diverse plant group to provide a unique appearance, as well as to establish a space where the plants will thrive.
  

Goals

• Restore endangered species by providing habitat.  Plants, birds, toads, insects. This is achieved by eliminating the use of pesticides and non-organic fertilizers, creating insectuaries, and using species of plants that provide food and protection to these creatures.
  
• Year round food for you to harvest from your own yard.
  
• Inspiring to look at and invites other people to create similar spaces.
  
• Create a Soothing space.

Once the forest garden is established, it will act as a regular forest that simple "feeds" itself.

Edible Landscape Design

We provide a personalized service where we will spend time to evaluate the area you wish to create a space where you will receive food and beauty, based upon the specifics of the soil, sun, shade and wind.

Vegetable Garden Watering

Our Garden watering service is set up to provide you with proper vegetable watering. We only water when needed. Our intention is for you to have happy, healthy crops. Pricing is based on size of the area.

Vegetable Garden Consulting

We will come to you and review your garden. Once we have seen your garden, we will provide advice on what to grow, how to grow it, and why something isn't growing. Some ideas may be to use a different plant variety that is more suitable to your specific garden area.

 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

We had our walkway redone and had some leftover pavers. Now I have this really cool herb spiral. Remember to keep things in line with nature. Use patterns and keep it natural.

From all weeds, to uncovering a walkway and unearthing a cement vase that was split in half. At the Sustainable house at Muhlenberg College, in the far back right is a bench made from a slab of the walkway, along with the vase as a covering for the legs. Amanda and Lucas did a ton of hard work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe in using products that are safe to the air, sea, land, water and me. If you want to learn more about my favorite products, please email or call me and I will be happy to share my experiences with different products.

Some examples, body soap, cleaners, local honey, and essential oils. Then of course, there's food! Glorious food! Needless to say, nothing compares to mom's homemade jellies, jams, and canned goods. Her tomato jam is to die for. Stay tuned for a tab with some recipes.... I'll share a few from her 'recipe bible'.

 

Mother Earth News - Great info on all kinds of Organics, Sustainable farming, Do-It-Yourself, etc.

Yards of Plenty, LLC

Lori Meier
Certified, Permaculture Landscape Design

yardsofplenty@comcast.net
908-337-0264