This Week's Podcast: A Replay: Edible Gardening with an Unusual Twist — Michael Judd
Click on the small black arrow on the bar to listen, or the MP3 to download the show:
“Do you believe in Permaculture,” I’m often asked?
I guess that depends on how the term is defined by the person asking. 
The history of permaculture is rich, but the idea, most simply as described by Michael Judd, is looking to nature’s methods for creating sustainable gardens.
Michael says that edible landscaping re-enlivens the adventure of creating useful landscapes. His new book, “Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist” digs right in with simple designs that focus on utility and aim to reduce lawn.
Growing up between northern England and the Appalachian mountains of Maryland, Michael Judd’s roots have been branched with diverse landscapes and fertile culture. He studied at The New York Botanical Garden, has run a grassroots non-profit in rural Latin America, headed up an arid lands research project in the desert of SE Spain, and creates designs, as he says, that “meld form, function, and productivity.”
The book is project-driven. The lessons are taught through DIY constructions, presentations of novel methods and unusual foods, including unfamiliar fruits and believe it or not, mushrooms.
Growing mushrooms outdoors is a passion of Michael’s and he goes into great depth on the subject on pages filled with how-to direction and pictures and descriptions of the ‘shrooms you can grow in partial shade in a moist environment.
Michael also throws in the odd cocktail recipe to fortify the beginning or seasoned gardener.
Michael Judd’s book seems very salient, I think urban, suburban, and rural gardeners are all interested in the idea of permaculture and sustainability. I look forward to this book, especially to learn more about how to grow mushrooms!