04. Tending the Future: Perennial Gardening, Food Forests & Permaculture in Practice

Episode 4 – Sacred Rite Podcast
🎙️ “Tending the Future: Food Forests, Perennial Gardening & Permaculture in Practice” with Brandon Dean of Healthy Homestead Design

How do we design landscapes that feed not just our bodies, but our ecosystems, communities, and spirits?

In this episode, I’m joined by Brandon Dean, founder of Healthy Homestead Design, a regenerative land design company rooted in permaculture, perennial gardening, and holistic home-scale abundance. Together, we explore the transformational power of growing with intention—from suburban backyards to full-scale food forests.

We talk about:
🌱 The story behind Healthy Homestead Designs
🌿 What permaculture really means (in everyday language)
🌾 Food forests, perennial gardening & how they work together
🍓 Favorite perennial plants for home gardens and families
🛠️ Practical ways to begin—even with a small space or shady yard
🌀 How gardening can deepen our connection to land, self, and community

Brandon shares his insights on designing systems that are regenerative, low-maintenance, and deeply rooted in ecological reciprocity. Whether you’re planting your first herb spiral or dreaming of a homestead, this conversation offers grounded guidance and inspiration to grow with the rhythms of nature.

Resources:

Alderleaf Wilderness College | Nature & Survival School

How Stupid Is Our Obsession With Lawns? - Freakonomics - podcast

Fallingfruit.org

Sharedearth.com

pfaf.org (Plants for a future)

Picturethisai.com - Plant ID app

Books:

Brain Maker - book

Practical permaculture - book

Gaia's Garden - book

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