Permaculture Artisans is an award-winning ecological landscape design firm based in Sonoma County
Site #1
The Permaculture Artisans property is a living demonstration of regenerative design in action. This land is more than just our office space—it's a dynamic ecosystem where ecological stewardship, resilient agriculture, and inspired landscape design converge. The property integrates food forests, pollinator meadows, native plantings, water-harvesting earthworks, and productive garden systems to showcase scalable solutions for land regeneration and climate adaptation.
Site #2
This productive landscape provides a variety of relaxing shady hang-out spots, connected with gravel and flagstone pathways, all the while discreetly recharging groundwater with a series of swales and rain gardens. Complete with on-site composting, a small orchard, bountiful vegetable garden and drought-tolerant, native plantings.
Site #3
This sprawling estate elegantly incorporates many elements of ecological design. You could spend your whole life outside here enjoying the native meadow, drought tolerant planting, olive and fruit trees and abundant vegetable garden - all irrigated with rain water.
Permaculture Artisans has completed hundreds of projects in our 15 year history. While they all exemplify our commitment to sustainability, the diversity of these projects is striking—from small suburban gardens to broadacre reforestation. Here are just a few examples of our work for which we are particularly proud.
Featured Projects
Our Approach
At Permaculture Artisans, we’re committed to creating resource-rich landscapes firmly rooted in Permaculture ethics; Care of the Earth, Care of the People, and Sharing the Surplus. We specialize in regenerative agriculture, food production, water harvesting, fire resiliency, and restoration projects at all scales. From backyard landscapes to broad-acre farms and ranches, every project is infused with beauty, nourishment, and habitat.
Ethos
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Care of the earth
By observing the patterns and processes in the landscape, we assess the needs of your property and what the land itself is asking for. We look at the plants, local wildlife, pollinators, topography, drainage, soil conditions, fire risk, and so much more to create a design that not only reflects your vision but a plan that will work in harmony with your environment.
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Care of the People
At Permaculture Artisans we not only design and install landscapes that fit your needs, we take into account your neighbors and community. What could be better than sharing the fruits of your ecological landscape with those closest to you? Whether that is an abundance of produce, protecting your property from fire, or adding clean water back into our rivers- we want everyone touched by your project to share in the benefits.
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Share the Surplus
A resilient landscape system requires a “whole systems” approach as well as a synergy of many enterprises, all working together to build the health of the soil, plants, animals, and human communities. By imitating forest-like structures to increase biodiversity, efficiency, and ecosystem functions, we design resilient food systems that ensure food security for all earth’s inhabitants.
Our Services
At Permaculture Artisans, we’re committed to creating landscapes infused with beauty, nourishment, and habitat. We specialize in fire-resilient landscaping, water-use efficiency, food production, and restoration projects. We primarily service Sonoma County and Marin County.
Installation Services
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![Food production in a multi-layered system that is designed to mimic a forest ecosystem.]()
FOOD FORESTS
Food production in a multi-layered system (fruit trees, vines, groundcover mushrooms, etc.) that is designed to work together and mimic a forest ecosystem.
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LOW WATER + NATIVE PLANTING
For landscape areas where you don’t want to produce traditional food crops, we utilize native and low water plants whenever possible.
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ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION
Need assistance understanding what your land needs to heal? Our expert team can help you with your large-scale restoration project.
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REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
We understand the importance of agriculture that builds soil, improves water quality, increases biodiversity and produces an abundance of food.
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FIRE SMART LANDSCAPE
Fire safety is on all our minds - talk to us today about creating a fire-resilient landscape using zoning, fuel-load management and more.
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RAIN GARDENS AND SWALES
We can help you capture rainwater on your property and replenish groundcover in an aesthetically pleasing and functional feature.
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RAINWATER HARVESTING AND PONDS
Installing raintanks or retention ponds can provide you with water for irrigation, fire safety, recreation, and more!
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GREY WATER SYSTEMS
From laundry-to-landscape, to full-house grey water systems, we can help you irrigate your property with water that would otherwise go down the drain.
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STONEWORK + MASONRY
Our expert craftsman install natural stone to build flagstone patios, retaining walls, garden walls, or planters for your garden spaces.
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URBANITE CONCRETE
About to remove an old concrete patio? We can give old slabs a new life by cutting into smaller pavers and re-setting.
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PERMEABLE PAVING
Permeable pavers allow water infiltration unlike traditional hardscape surfaces. We typically install flagstone or other permeable paver products.
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FENCING
From deer fencing to decorative courtyard screening, we can help you make this practical landscape protection both functional and beautiful.
Our impeccable customer service is grounded in a deep respect for our clients and the landscapes we help steward. Our “care for the people” ethic also permeates our HR policy. We support demographic diversity and a living wage for all our employees and collaborators.
Meet our Team
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Erik & Lauren Ohlsen
FOUNDERS
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Denise Decker
BUSINESS DIRECTOR
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Nik Dyer
CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER
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Michael Litwin
PROJECT & FIELD MANAGER
Check out Erik Ohlsen’s
award-winning book!
We are proud to announce that The Regenerative Landscaper has received the Nautilus book award! Buy a copy today to get inspired! Also, consider purchasing for the gardener or permaculture enthusiast in your life!
Follow us on social media!
Get started building your dream ecological landscape with Permaculture Artisans
Best of Bohemian Winner 2017-2023
Thank you to our community for the tremendous recognition of our work. It is an honor to serve you and your land!
TESTIMONIALS
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"We are absolutely delighted with the work that Permaculture has done with our Landscape project. Everything has been done with such knowledge, thought, and care. From the original consultation and collaborative planning (and "value engineering") through to completion! The staff are all great and do wonderful meticulous work - going the extra mile. We have appreciated all of Michael's enthusiasm, knowledge and great communication and Rene is an absolute Gem on all levels.”
— ROBERTA, BODEGA, CA
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“If you are looking for a permaculture team with great customer service, talent, and efficiency, [Permaculture Artisans] is your stop. I am very pleased with my new rainwater catchment system, downspout redirection, swales for slow water draining from my hill, and general advice. Smart folks.”
— RITA P., SEBASTOPOL, CA
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"We just wanted to let you know how pleased we are to be working with both Julian & Todd. It's been a while now that Permaculture has been working in our yard and we look forward to their every-other-week visits. We don't think of them as maintenance guys but more like our "garden gurus." They are both fonts of knowledge and beyond caring for the yard, they care for us; educating us and continually coming up with new ideas for plants or infrastructure that will make [our property] function better as a food forest.. We really stepped off the deep end when we rebuilt after the fire and decided to have a food forest. We doubt we could have done it without the guidance and support from Permaculture Artisans and now, specifically from Julian & Todd. "
— ALISON & RICHARD, SANTA ROSA, CA
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“We have had only great experiences with everyone at Permaculture Artisans. We have used them since last summer for bi-monthly upkeep of our 1/3 acre yard—which has a wide variety of shrubs, fruit trees, flowers, and a small lawn that needs more care than we can provide. We also recently used them to redesign and replant all of the plantings in our front yard—with great results—done on time, at a reasonable cost. We can recommend them highly without reservation.”
— DOUG F., CA
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"I interviewed three local landscaping firms and was immediately impressed with how well the folks from Permaculture listened and understood what I wanted to do. My front yard is small, and my back yard is tiny. However, Permaculture Artisans gave my job the same professional and thorough attention I imagine they give folks with acres of grounds. The entire crew was fully engaged, and the guys doing the work made a few suggestions which turned out better than my initial design...I have now contracted with Permaculture Artisans for quarterly maintenance so they can fine-tune and service the irrigation system, address issues they discover, and make suggestions to help me keep the plantings alive. I am more than happy with the results, and I would recommend Permaculture Artisans to anyone with any sized landscaping project."
—DOUG Y., SEBASTOPOL, CA
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"We are so fortunate to have been working with Permaculture Artisans for almost 2 years now. They have been there every step of the way to help us transform 5 acres of fallow land/invasive shrubs into a beautiful working permaculture farm. Everyone on the team is passionate about what they do and it absolutely shows in their work. We look forward to our continued relationship with them! "
—SARA C.
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"[At Permaculture Artisans] I found a one-stop shopping experience for design, landscape, hardscape, and electrical work to install a fountain. The design of my garden surpassed my expectations. The quality of workmanship was superb. [Project manager] Michael was always responsive to my questions or concerns. Rene, the supervisor kept a good eye on the ongoing work. Nik, Client Relations Manager, also was super responsive and thoughtfully addressed my questions or concerns. Permaculture Artisans employees are passionate about their work. Another cool aspect about them is they provide maintenance of your landscape if you need some help afterwards. Without hesitation, I recommend you give Permaculture Artisans the opportunity to create the landscape of your dreams."
—G.N., Rohnert Park, CA
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“Thank you so much for the most wonderful work on the garden. We enjoy it enormously! Pure pleasure to walk around the front and the back yards and see it all well-pruned and well taken care of. Thanks again. “
- PATTY, SANTA ROSA
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"I encourage anyone needing ecologically minded landscape installation to hire Permaculture Artisans! We worked with their wonderful designer to help us create a great design for a very complex rural water system connecting springs, wells, and storage tanks for two parallel water systems—potable and irrigation. Their installation crew was on time, pleasant to have around, and very responsive to our needs…. They were always most interested in how to make the project what we needed it to be. Their estimates were fair and they did not go over budget. There were no surprises in the cost, which was very important since we were on a budget. This is a very ethical and principled group of people from the laborers to the site supervisor to the general manager."
—WILLOW S., FORESTVILLE, CA
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The blueprint that Taylor developed was awesome. The paver project that Taylor designed made a big initial impact of transforming the outside of our home, especially making each entryway accessible for me. Gardening has always been a passion of mine and we have spent so much money on the inside and outside of our home that the Permaculture Artisan proposal was, at present, beyond our reach. Thus, I have taken on the role of planning and implementing the landscaping. Also, given my physical limitations, being involved in a project such as this is very good for my psyche. Should we hear of someone looking for the services you provide we would strongly recommend Permaculture Artisans. When our outside planting is complete, we would welcome a visit by you (Nik) and/or Taylor to observe the finished outdoor project. With much appreciation for you both for inspiring us....
— MICHAEL C., SANTA ROSA
