Solutions are recognized permaculture techniques, patterns and improvements — like swales, keyline ponds and check dams — that you can assign to Map Features to plan how you'll manage water, build soil, buffer sectors, and support wildlife on your property. This is a reference to every Solution available on LiveStacks.co, grouped by category.
Water Management
Solutions for managing water retention, flow/overflow and erosion mitigation. Excludes naturally occurring water features (use 'Water' layer instead of 'Solutions' layer).
- Artesian well — A well tapping into confined aquifers where water is pressurized, allowing it to rise to the surface naturally. Learn more
- Boomerang swale — Curved swales that resemble a boomerang shape, designed to maximize water catchment and distribution. Learn more
- Check dam — Small dams constructed across small waterways to reduce flow velocity, control erosion, and encourage sediment deposition. Learn more
- Cistern/tank — Water storage systems that collect and store rainwater for irrigation and other uses in permaculture setups. Learn more
- Clay pot — An ancient method of irrigation using porous clay pots buried in the soil to provide controlled release of water to plant roots. Learn more
- Dam — Structures built to hold back water in a reservoir for various purposes such as water supply, irrigation, and flood management. Learn more
- Greywater System — A system that recycles greywater from sinks, showers, and washing machines for use in garden irrigation, reducing the demand for fresh water. Learn more
- Infiltration marker — Devices or methods used to measure the rate at which water soaks into the soil, aiding in efficient water management. Learn more
- Keyline pond — A water management feature that captures and utilizes runoff following the natural topography of the land. Learn more
- Rain Garden — A garden designed to capture and utilize rainwater runoff from impermeable surfaces like roofs and driveways, reducing erosion and water pollution while providing habitat for wildlife. Learn more
- Rainwater Harvesting — Collecting and storing rainwater from roofs or other surfaces to use for irrigation or other non-potable uses, conserving freshwater resources. Learn more
- Ridge pond — Ponds situated on ridges to maximize gravity-fed water distribution systems in permaculture landscapes. Learn more
- Rock clad level sill — Stone water walls used to prevent erosion at foot of water drainage, enhancing water control and landscape aesthetics. Learn more
- Rock mound — Strategically placed rock formations that collect and direct water flow, enhancing soil moisture and supporting plant growth. Learn more
- Swale — A shallow trench on contour used to slow and capture runoff, increasing water infiltration and reducing erosion. Learn more
- Well — A deep hole drilled or dug into the ground to access water from underground aquifers for irrigation and other uses. Learn more
Soil
Solutions for improving soil quality or increasing topsoil depth.
- Biochar — A form of charcoal produced from plant matter and added to soil to improve fertility and carbon sequestration, enhancing soil health and reducing greenhouse gases. Learn more
- Compost pile — A central part of soil fertility, compost piles transform kitchen and garden waste into rich soil, mimicking natural decomposition processes. Learn more
- Mulch — A layer of material applied to the surface of soil to conserve moisture, improve fertility, and reduce weed growth. Learn more
- Sheet mulch — Layers of organic materials spread over the ground to decompose in place, building soil fertility and suppressing weeds. Learn more
- Sunken bed — Gardening technique that involves digging beds below ground level to enhance water retention and protect plants from wind. Learn more
- Wicking bed — A self-watering garden bed with a water reservoir below, allowing moisture to wick upwards to plant roots. Learn more
- Worm farm — Utilizes worms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, suitable for small spaces and even indoor setups. Learn more
- pH modifier — Substances added to soil to adjust its pH level, making it more suitable for different types of plants. Learn more
Sectors
Solutions for managing the various sectors affecting a property, such as wind or fire.
- Fire hydrant — Not typically a permaculture element, but can be integrated into designs for emergency water access. Learn more
- Hedge — Living fences made from closely planted shrubs or trees, providing windbreaks, privacy, and habitat for wildlife. Learn more
- Hugelkultur — A gardening method using mounds constructed from decomposing wood and other organic materials to improve soil fertility. Learn more
Structures
Built structures benefitting the property ecosystem. Excludes structures built for human purposes (use 'Structures' layer instead of 'Solutions' layer).
- Chicken coop — A housing structure for chickens, providing shelter and protection while integrating them into permaculture systems. Learn more
- Greenhouse — Structures that create controlled environments for growing plants, extending the growing season and protecting from pests. Learn more
- Pig pen — Enclosures for raising pigs that can be integrated into permaculture systems for waste management and soil improvement. Learn more
- Solar Greenhouse — A greenhouse designed to maximize the use of natural sunlight and heat, often incorporating thermal mass to regulate temperature and extend the growing season. Learn more
Wildlife
Solutions for improving, or reducing, interactions with specific wildlife on property.
- Bat Box — Bat boxes offer a cozy habitat for bats, aiding in pest control by encouraging bats to inhabit gardens and consume mosquitoes and other pests. Learn more
- Bee Box — Bee boxes, also known as bee houses, provide a safe habitat for bees, aiding in pollination and enhancing biodiversity in permaculture gardens. Learn more
- Living Fence — A living fence is a barrier created using living plants, often incorporating productive and beneficial species to provide privacy, windbreaks, and habitat for wildlife. Learn more
Advanced Techniques
Solutions that may be multi-functional or use advanced techniques.
- Aquaponics System — An integrated system combining aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. Learn more
- Chinampa — Chinampas, also known as floating gardens, are an ancient agricultural method that involves creating fertile plots of land on shallow lake beds for efficient crop production. Learn more
- Cold Frame — Cold frames are transparent-roofed enclosures used to protect plants from cold weather, extending the growing season in colder climates. Learn more
- Terra Preta — Terra Preta, or 'black earth', refers to a type of very fertile anthropogenic soil found in the Amazon Basin, created through the incorporation of biochar, organic waste, and other materials. Learn more
- Zai Hole — Zai holes are a traditional African agricultural technique involving the digging of small pits in which organic matter is placed to improve soil fertility and water retention. Learn more