Designing Our Permaculture Homestead: A Living System in Harmony
- homesteading4immun
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
When we first stood on this piece of land, it was just that, land. Sloped, rugged, full of potential, but also full of questions. How could we turn it into a thriving, abundant ecosystem that nourishes our family and gives back to the earth?
Like many people setting out on their homesteading journey, we didn’t begin with all the answers. What guided us instead were the principles of permaculture, observation, balance, and design inspired by nature herself.
Over time, we learned that designing a property isn’t just about where things go, it’s about why they go there. Every element, from the water flow to the placement of the compost piles, the food forest, and even the children’s play spaces, connects through a thoughtful web of purpose. Each function supports another, just as it does in nature.
Our property design reflects not only permaculture principles but also our personal context, a young family living off-grid, raising animals, growing food, and running a small business from home. The goal has always been to create a productive, beautiful, and resilient system that works with natural energies like water, sunlight, and gravity.
Below, you’ll find a detailed look at our property layout and design map. Each number on the map tells a part of our story, from our chain of ponds that slow and store water through the landscape, to the multi-level compost terraces that cycle nutrients from animals to gardens, and back again.
This design continues to evolve, just like us. That’s the beauty of permaculture, it’s a living, breathing design process that grows as you do.
So whether you’re just starting out or dreaming up your own design, remember this: Start small, observe often, and let your land, and your life, teach you how to grow in harmony.
Our Hillside Permaculture design
Artwork created by permaculture illustrator Brenna Quinlan for the book Homegrown Healthy Living
Drop off point for dump trucks delivering compostable resources such as wood chip, sawdust and dairy manure.
Multi-level compost terraces incorporating pig and chicken systems. Piles at different stages. Nutrient run-off is directed onto grazing terraces below.
Tropical tree plantings.
Beehives face north, bees pollinate crops and surplus honey is harvested.
Grazing terraces.
The homestead and kitchen garden, featuring medicinal herbs, flowers, perennials and seasonal crops. Social areas, children’s entertainment and temporary worm-packing shed.
Tank water storage. Solar powered pump transports water from large capacity dams to fill. Water is fed back down the hillside by gravity, to service lower systems including gardens, animals and worm production.
Small herd mixed species grazing, holistically managed, using solar powered electric fencing.
Intensive garden terrace features 14 netted raised beds for pest sensitive annual vegetable crops. Embankments planted out with fruiting trees including tropical peaches and apples, nectarines and berries.
Animal shelter/milking shed.
Food forest. Ducks provide fertiliser, natural pest control and meat and eggs.
Chain of ponds. Terraces slope slightly backwards and in towards a central gully. Small ponds start high in the gully and flow into each other, connecting with the large dam below.
Worm cultivation. Windrow mounds on the ground are covered by shade cloth material.
Small gully ponds, or charge points, slow the water after rain, holding it in the landscape for longer (water retention). Surrounding vegetation creates an edge for biodiversity.
The largest dam, the family’s favourite place to hang out, canoe and catch fish.
Fruiting trees.
Nutrient rich water cycles through the worm system and irrigates trees, crops and pasture.
Lower pastured areas for cell grazing.
Seasonal creek at the bottom property boundary.
Learn & Grow With Us
If you’d love to dive deeper into our off-grid journey — from soil to self-sufficiency — you’ll find our story, photos, and practical guidance in Homegrown Healthy Living – Start Your Journey Towards Self Sufficiency. It’s filled with the lessons, projects, and heart behind our homestead.
And for those ready to begin designing their own space, we’ve created a free printable Homegrown Living Workbook your first step to designing a lifestyle that flows with nature.
Join our mailing list to get instant access to the workbook and stay inspired with seasonal tips, homestead updates, and more.Driveway entry and road access around property.
