I have a very small yard - and it's a way to keep it visually tidy, and separate from whatever else is going on. If it rains (rare!) I don't have to worry about it flooding with the rest of the yard. Seems to discourage the skunks, cats, whatever else. And I like being able to sit and see everything at a higher level. I spend enough time squatting pulling up endless weeds in the rest of the yard (our property was neglected for years and we have the weed seeds to prove it) It seems like I can control for more variables this way. I grew up on a big sprawling place in New Mexico with a giant in-ground garden - would love that again! But my mom has converted to raised beds in her new house - and doesn't miss all the work. Seems to keep things contained - soil doesn't get compacted, easier to pick veggies, work in fertilizer etc. But if I had the space I might feel differently... Raised beds (meaning wood boxes filled with soil mix) are good for the urban gardener. (For clarity, in my Mediterranean gardening book, he calls raised beds just raising the soil higher in furrows which you do if you have too much moisture/rain - I think this is the traditional definition - but I assume we all mean using wood/boxes to raise and contain the garden?)

wow! What a great thread! And I only came on the organic forum today because I finally made that compost bin and felt like gathering a little knowledge from fellow gardeners. Boy! Have you guys educated me! Along with the often unreliable words of 'organic' and 'sustainable' to describe gardening practices, where precisely does 'permaculture' fit in? I have had the opportunity to brush the surface of this topic, but haven't put it in perspective completely with the terms 'organic' and 'sustainable' yet. I know there is a permaculture formum on gardenweb, but this thread seems to be on the track of discussing such things, particularly how to "tread lightly on the earth" and how to feed individuals, families, villages and the world effectively. Organic farming is from the heart. It's such a long thread, I've already forgotten who said it. and I've mutilated the text, though hopefully not the meaning. That said, I'm in complete agreement with the sentiment. What we aspire to, ie producing nutritious food from the earth without damaging the earth, can not be regulated in any meaningful way until the whole of community changes thought patterns. The ideas of "nutritious food" and "not damaging the earth" need to be of higher priority than the profits that come of this coaxing life from dirt. Of course, many might counter that statement with thoughts on money efficiency. But here, I say again, these ideals can't be accomplished unless the individual, family, community and world changes thought patterns, especially as related to money and commerce. Well, I suppose that went off on a side-track..but I'd still like to know where you think 'permaculture' relates to the discussion of catchwords in agriculture and what the true wave of the future will be. Organic might be happening now, but how do you think these slacking regulations will affect the future of raising food? Trish

I am blessed with ownership of 32 acres in the cool mountain highlands of southern Queensland, Australia where I can grow many of the deciduous trees and conifers of the Northern Hemisphere. I have the Severn River as one boundary and a gully with 2 dams on another side. My long term vision is to develop the gully into a Japanese style garden and open it to the public. If you would like to converse with me you can write to my e-mail address helwig@halenet.com.au Here is a link that might be useful: GardenWeb

I love how you kept your cat in the photoshop! LOL I love the colors in the rug. Shame the landlord didn't put in warmer colored tiles because it would look just smashing on more earthy tiles. Don't feel bad about dreaming. I do it all the time. Right now I am photoshopping a house that is for sale. It would make a cute rental, but right now we just don't have the time for that sort of thing. I call it, "getting practice." :OD