July 30 Column: Permaculture Design

permaculture design, Beth Mort
permaculture design, Beth Mort

Last fall, I took a course on permaculture. I really wanted to gain a better understanding of what it’s all about. In the final class, we were introduced to Beth Mort, who presented a wonderful lecture. She spoke about how she uses permaculture principles in her own life and to help others design their landscapes.

Beth owns Zinnia Designs for that purpose and also grows and sells cut flowers through Snapdragon Flower Farm. To say she’s a busy lady would be an understatement. But I have never met a more bubbly, enthusiastic gal who believes strongly in the principles of permaculture. In today’s column, I profile Beth and her methods. Here is a link to it in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review. Beth Mort of Zinnia Designs helps people grow productive gardens. (or you can read my column lower in this post)

During the course I took, I learned so much. Permaculture design involves being thoughtful and observant of the conditions around us. We must consider how often we access parts of our landscape. And we should look at the pattern of the sun across it and the direction the wind comes from.

I hope you’ll enjoy my column today, as well as this week’s “Everyone Can Grow A Garden!” video below. The topic? The first pruning you need to do on your tomato plants in order to get a good harvest:

Garden column: Permaculture Design and Beth Moth

by Susan Mulvihill

Beth Mort has been around gardening for as long as she can remember. Not only does she enjoy growing bountiful gardens, but teaching others how to do this as well.

“My mom and dad always kept a good-sized garden,” she recalled. “I caught my love for gardening from them and have never turned back because eating fresh food changes your whole perspective.”

When she headed off to Evergreen State College, she majored in botany.

“I probably would have gone down that track if I’d been able to find a full-time job,” she admitted.

She later earned a Master’s degrees in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University. But the turning point in Mort’s life occurred when two instructors from Bullock’s Permaculture Homestead on Orcas Island gave a daylong workshop on permaculture. That led her to complete an intensive Permaculture Design Certificate course at the homestead.

In 2015, she founded Zinnia Designs, with the goal of helping people produce a yield on their property.

“I’m more focused on edible landscaping but can also teach them how to set up and grow a dye garden or raise fiber-producing animals,” she explained. “I want to show them how to be productive on their land in a way that is sustainable.”

She begins by having clients answer a short questionnaire.

“It’s a great way to get people thinking about the big picture: their vision of what their yard could be, what they perceive as obstacles, and what they want to get out of it,” Mort said.

If they decide to proceed, she does a site assessment to look at every aspect of their yard, including the factors they can control and ones they cannot. This includes itemizing which enhancements the yard will need, such as mulching, soil improvement, where to locate animals, the use of water, and choosing the best places to plant.

Once Mort has gathered the information she needs, she works on a conceptual design plan.

“I create a base map that includes a sector analysis of how sun, wind, water, animals and people move through the space, and zones denoting how the areas of the property are used and accessed,” she said.

Another service she offers is two-hour training sessions on skills such as growing edible crops, flowers, beekeeping, raising chickens or making compost.

“Building their confidence is #1,” she explained. “Giving them the basic foundation and vernacular so they can start asking the right questions — and find what they’re looking for — is really important.

“Working with people and gardening together is an extension of that,” she continued. “I want them to be comfortable working in the soil, getting used to working with plants, and to address problems rather than just reacting to them.”

Mort also grows and sells cut flowers at the Thursday market in the South Perry St. district, located at 924 S. Perry. In addition, she has established a “bouquet CSA” (community-supported agriculture) program through her companion venture, Snapdragon Flower Farm.

She believes strongly in the principles of permaculture and practices what she preaches.

“Permaculture includes us in nature, and nature in us,” she said. “It is a very logical, thoughtful and observant way of living in your space. It is a joy knowing that people want to grow things and interact with their landscapes.” You can contact Beth Mort via email at beth.zinnia@gmail.com or visit her websites at  zinniapermaculturedesign.com and snapdragonflowerfarm.com.