Frost on the pumpkins doesn't happen often in SC. This recent, extreme ice and snow in the coastal region has presented new challenges. Watch out for pipes, pets and sensitive trees.
As always, Mother Nature will have her way. It is our opportunity to adjust and accommodate her moods. That is when creativity comes into play. Use this as an opportunity to review your resources and skill set for self reliance. 

The southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is an icon of southern heritage. Stunningly beautiful, fragrant flowers on a resilient, equally stunning tree. Shiny, large dark green leaves provide intense contrast to the over sized floral display. No southern landscape is complete without them. How do they fit into the permaculture concept? Beauty, shady, erosion control - 3 immediate results of their presence. The aesthetic appeal they bring provides value of its own. If your area will accommodate them, enlist them into your overall design. They won't disappoint you.

Deer are very resourceful at picking around thorns and obstacles to their food sources. Neem oil, organic and natural is an effective method of persuading them to dine elsewhere.

This year the wild blackberries have been extremely prolific! We have collected at least 8 gallons ~ that is a lot of pickin'! Big, fat and juicy. A lot of rain, a lot of sun and a lot of berries.
These berries come with a cost however ~ we have plenty of scratches and thorns to prove it. It didn't seem to deter us from going back out again, and again.
Now the tough part - how do we use them? Jelly, jams, syrups, pies, wine - or straight into the mouth. I think we will try a little bit of everything.

Check out the newest video release about permaculture. We will be going point by point to provide insight into how you can take carefully planned steps to integrate permaculture into your homestead, farm or urban environment. Get creative! Download the layout sheets. (Be sure to get both of them off this site.) The element sheet is for each animal, plant or concept you want to include. The site sheet is for assembling all those pieces into your version of paradise.
Check out the video on http://www.tennessee-homestead.com/permaculture-homesteading-video-1/ feel free to send us an email to let us know how you are doing or ask us a question. Enjoy!

Don't forget to check out www.tennessee-homestead.com on a regular basis for information on getting back to basics. Make it a favorite!

Garden Gleanings, thank you for the question. Many people utilize an outside habitat for their worms. It is a good way to keep it low maintenance. You are correct that the worms basically will fend for themselves in extreme weather conditions. If it is chilly they ball up together, if it is hot they go deeper into the soil. Basically if you locate the site in a shady area, and provide enough moisture and food - they are your friends for life. Red wigglers, don't tend to have extended life expectancies in the yard, but I have spoken to people who have had them for years, so I think it is worth the try.

While on a recent walk through the orchard I came upon my one and only pear tree. I started looking very closely, wondering "where are the pears?" I scoured the ground and the branches ~ not one could be found! As you can see by the photo there was no lack of them the very last time I looked. I had put some pelletized lime underneath the branches to balance the ph of the acidic soil. The tree was very responsive! There were 30-40 pears, and I was planning on a bountiful harvest. Well…. there was a harvest, but not by me. I was able to locate one overlooked pear, and that was the end of it. The deer in the area are better fed for it and fortunately the tree was no worse for wear. This time, it was first come, first served!