Welcome!

Permaculture (the portmanteau of permanent and agriculture, coined by Bill Mollison) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. Lavender is peer-reviewed Permaculture Designer and she and Morgan live a Permaculture lifestyle.

Lavender infuses her passion for nature into her work with reptiles by diving into natural ecosystems and embracing permaculture principles, we create an environment that nurtures biodiversity and enhances ecosystem health. We're excited to share the importance of protecting these amazing species and encourage others to join us in supporting their conservation efforts!

We’re excited to share our passion for the fascinating Plains Hognose Snake, also known as Heterodon nasicus nasicus. As we continue to learn and grow, we look forward to adding more species that will enrich our offerings and deepen our understanding of herpetology!

Currently, we work with grasses, sedges, and forbs native to the North American Prairie biome. We source our seeds from native prairie nurseries and grow them indoors under controlled conditions to enhance biosecurity. We plan to expand our selection of plants as we increase the variety of species we keep. We utilize mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial bacteria to inoculate all the plants we grow.

Grasslands are the most imperiled terrestrial ecosystems on the planet (Carbutt, 2020; Suttie et al., 2005).
The habitats of various species worldwide face serious threats, making it essential to protect the biodiversity of these ecosystems, including those in captivity. Our native plant sales aim to support conservation efforts and encourage the use of native plants in reptile care. We will donate a significant portion of plant sales to habitat and wildlife conservation, with the remaining funds reinvested into growing more plants for the reptile community!

Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and a plant, providing nutrients and water to the plant in exchange for sugars and carbon. "Myco" means "fungus," and "rhiza" means "root," so mycorrhiza literally translates to "fungus root." Over 90% of plants in nature form a mycorrhizal symbiosis. Hormonal interactions between the plant and fungus lead to significant changes in root architecture, including the suppression of root hairs.

Vermicompost is the product of earthworm digestion and aerobic decomposition using the activities of micro- and macro-organisms. Worm composting produces rich organic soil amendments, in the form of compost and “worm tea”, all of which contains a diversity of plant nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. We utilize both in the plants we grow.

Current behavioral research suggests that losing enrichment can be tougher on animals than never experiencing it. Therefore, we prefer to use racks temporarily for short-term residents. While providing an adult-sized enclosure might seem easier, it often causes stress, such as hiding, not eating, or defensive behaviors, even with ample clutter. We believe in offering the right-sized enclosure for each life stage. In nature, there are microclimates where smaller creatures feel safe. Our racks mimic this with burrowing substrate, hides, ceramic water dishes, and optimal heat, humidity, and lighting. For adult cages, we create a naturalistic environment with radiant heat, full-spectrum LED lighting, native plants, and appropriate UV exposure to allow full behavioral expression.
Western Hognose Snakes (Heterodon nasicus) Prefer Environmental Enrichment
Behavioral and physiological consequences of enrichment loss in rats