Advice From an Organic Permaculture Gardener

Permaculture is a holistic design philosophy that seeks to create sustainable and self-sufficient systems by emulating the diversity, functionality, and resilience of natural ecosystems. Originating in the 1970s, permaculture integrates traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific understanding to develop innovative strategies for meeting human needs while minimizing environmental impact. It encompasses anything from recycling, growing food organically, reusing and regenerating, to simply observing.

When applied to gardening, it suggests that not only can we grow food almost anywhere, from fruit shrubs in patio pots to vines on fences, but we can also get higher yields with less effort simply by mimicking nature.

Core Principles

Permaculture is guided by 12 design principles outlined by permaculture co-founder David Holmgren:

1. Observe and Interact: Engage with nature to design solutions that suit specific situations.
2. Catch and Store Energy: Develop systems that collect resources at peak abundance for use in times of need.
3. Obtain a Yield: Ensure that projects generate meaningful rewards.
4. Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback: Discourage inappropriate activity to ensure systems function well.
5. Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services: Make the best use of nature’s abundance by reducing dependence on non-renewable resources.
6. Produce No Waste: Value and employ all available resources, wasting nothing.
7. Design from Patterns to Details: Observe patterns in nature and society to inform designs, adding details later.
8. Integrate Rather Than Segregate: Allow relationships to develop between design elements to support each other.
9. Use Small and Slow Solutions: Small and slow systems are easier to maintain and produce more sustainable outcomes.
10. Use and Value Diversity: Diversity reduces system-level vulnerability to threats and fully exploits the environment.
11. Use Edges and Value the Marginal: The border between things is where the most interesting events take place, often being the system’s most valuable and productive elements.
12. Creatively Use and Respond to Change: A positive impact on inevitable change comes from careful observation and well-timed intervention.

Common Practices

Permaculture emphasizes practices that enhance soil health, conserve resources, and promote biodiversity:

• No-Till Gardening: Minimizes soil disturbance to maintain soil structure and organic matter.
• Hügelkultur: Involves burying wood to increase soil water retention and fertility.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Collects and stores rainwater for irrigation and other uses.
• Greywater Recycling: Reuses household wastewater for landscape irrigation.
• Companion Planting: Pairs plants that support each other’s growth and health.
• Animal Integration: Incorporates animals to cycle nutrients and assist with tasks like pest control.

In contrast to many agricultural methods, a natural growing system sustains a continuous cycle, with dead plants becoming mulch for new growth. Permaculture gardening seeks to re-create this cycle, turning food waste into valuable compost and replacing slug pellets and weed killers with natural predators and natural competition. According to permaculture co-founder Bill Mollison, it is about working with nature and not against it.

Applications

Permaculture can be applied in various settings, from urban gardens to rural farms:

Urban and Suburban Gardens: Utilize small spaces efficiently, often incorporating edible landscaping and community collaboration.

Food Forests: Create layered, self-sustaining ecosystems that mimic natural forests.

Community Projects: Engage neighborhoods in shared permaculture initiatives to promote sustainability.

Getting Started

To begin practicing permaculture, consider:

• Observing Your Environment: Spend time understanding the natural patterns and resources available.
• Starting Small: Implement manageable projects like a compost bin or a raised garden bed.
• Educating Yourself: Read foundational texts like “Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual” by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren.
• Joining a Community: Connect with local permaculture groups or online forums to share knowledge and experiences.

By integrating permaculture principles into your practices, you can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

BY RUTH HATHORN, PERMACULTURE

DESIGN SPECIALIST