Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
How much edge is the right amount of edge? It’s a classic permaculture question. In this Q&A, Geoff walks through the real-world balance between productive garden space and the energetic boost that edges provide.
Using a simple footpath and garden bed, he shows how edges create fertile zones where two systems meet — fungal-dominant soil beside deep mulch beds, strawberries sending out runners, and pockets of opportunity that boost yield.
But there’s a catch: if you chase edges for their own sake, you end up with a garden full of fiddly margins and nowhere to grow actual food. The magic is in the relationship between edge and area. Too little and you miss out on diversity. Too much and the whole system becomes a headache.
This video explores where that sweet spot lives in a real, working garden.
Geoff’s Online Permaculture Design Course includes weekly video Q&A sessions where he answers student questions. This one comes from the 2019 archive. Learn more about Geoff’s online courses at https://www.discoverpermaculture.com.
Key Takeaways:
- Edge brings opportunity. Yields increase because two systems meet and interact, creating niches for life to flourish.
- But you can overdo it. If everything becomes edge, nothing functions as a garden anymore—you end up managing chaos, not abundance.
- Edges need context. A garden bed and a woodchip path create a natural edge because they serve different purposes and support different soil life.
- Strawberries make a great example. A fresh strawberry edge offers seasonal abundance, but strawberries need rotation because they’ll develop fungal issues if left too long.
- Think balance, not novelty. Edges should enhance your main productive areas, not replace them. The goal is a healthy relationship between edge and usable area.
To support us in creating more videos:
► Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/geofflawtononline
► Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/geofflawtononline
► Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL_r1ELEvAuN0peKUxI0Umw/?sub_confirmation=1
► And most importantly, enjoy your permaculture journey!
About Geoff:
Geoff is a world-renowned permaculture consultant, designer and teacher who has established demonstration sites in many of the world’s major climates. He’s dedicated his life to sharing permaculture design and inspiring people to care for the earth, care for each other and return the surplus.
About Permaculture:
Permaculture weaves land, resources, people and the environment into a single, supportive system. It mirrors how nature works—no waste, no shortcuts, just smart relationships. The tools are wide-ranging: water harvesting, soil building, energy systems, forestry, natural building, aquaculture, appropriate technology, community development and more. Whether you’re on acreage or in an apartment, these principles scale beautifully.
#permaculture #permaculturedesign #edges #foodforest #regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth #gardeningtips #ecologicaldesign #permacultureprinciples #organicgardening #growyourown #abundance #discoverpermaculture
How much edge is the right amount of edge? It’s a classic permaculture question. In this Q&A, Geoff walks through the real-world balance between productive garden space and the energetic boost that edges provide.
Using a simple footpath and garden bed, he shows how edges create fertile zones where two systems meet — fungal-dominant soil beside deep mulch beds, strawberries sending out runners, and pockets of opportunity that boost yield.
But there’s a catch: if you chase edges for their own sake, you end up with a garden full of fiddly margins and nowhere to grow actual food. The magic is in the relationship between edge and area. Too little and you miss out on diversity. Too much and the whole system becomes a headache.
This video explores where that sweet spot lives in a real, working garden.
Geoff’s Online Permaculture Design Course includes weekly video Q&A sessions where he answers student questions. This one comes from the 2019 archive. Learn more about Geoff’s online courses at https://www.discoverpermaculture.com.
Key Takeaways:
- Edge brings opportunity. Yields increase because two systems meet and interact, creating niches for life to flourish.
- But you can overdo it. If everything becomes edge, nothing functions as a garden anymore—you end up managing chaos, not abundance.
- Edges need context. A garden bed and a woodchip path create a natural edge because they serve different purposes and support different soil life.
- Strawberries make a great example. A fresh strawberry edge offers seasonal abundance, but strawberries need rotation because they’ll develop fungal issues if left too long.
- Think balance, not novelty. Edges should enhance your main productive areas, not replace them. The goal is a healthy relationship between edge and usable area.
To support us in creating more videos:
► Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/geofflawtononline
► Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/geofflawtononline
► Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCL_r1ELEvAuN0peKUxI0Umw/?sub_confirmation=1
► And most importantly, enjoy your permaculture journey!
About Geoff:
Geoff is a world-renowned permaculture consultant, designer and teacher who has established demonstration sites in many of the world’s major climates. He’s dedicated his life to sharing permaculture design and inspiring people to care for the earth, care for each other and return the surplus.
About Permaculture:
Permaculture weaves land, resources, people and the environment into a single, supportive system. It mirrors how nature works—no waste, no shortcuts, just smart relationships. The tools are wide-ranging: water harvesting, soil building, energy systems, forestry, natural building, aquaculture, appropriate technology, community development and more. Whether you’re on acreage or in an apartment, these principles scale beautifully.
#permaculture #permaculturedesign #edges #foodforest #regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth #gardeningtips #ecologicaldesign #permacultureprinciples #organicgardening #growyourown #abundance #discoverpermaculture
