How Permaculture Transformed My Life (And How It Can Do The Same For You!)

When I first heard about permaculture, I thought it was crazy. Growing my own food? That’s what farmers do! What’s so special about that? But after six years of practicing permaculture and learning how to live a sustainable lifestyle, I can confidently say that this practice has transformed my life in ways that are difficult to explain.

It’s changed my perspective on everything from gardening to relationships with others (human and non-human alike).

So if you’re curious about what all the buzz is about and whether or not it might work for you—keep reading

MAA – How Permaculture Transformed My Life

Takeaways
Permaculture is a design approach that mimics nature’s patterns to create sustainable ecosystems.
Permaculture techniques can be applied to various aspects of life, including gardening, home design, and community development.
Permaculture can lead to improved soil health, increased biodiversity, and reduced waste.
Permaculture principles can be applied to any size of property, from small urban backyards to large rural farms.
Getting started with permaculture can be as simple as observing your environment and making small changes to your practices.

I Became A Better Problem-Solver

You will become a better problem-solver.

You may have noticed that, as you learn more about permaculture and incorporate it into your life, you become more resilient, adaptable, confident in your ability to overcome obstacles, creative in finding solutions to problems (even the ones that seem unsolvable at first),

patient with yourself and others while learning new skills or trying out new methods (like approaching an unfamiliar problem from different angles), flexible enough to change course when needed.

Permaculture is not just a gardening technique but a way of life. Check out our step-by-step guide on permaculture for beginners to learn how to transform your home and life into a sustainable environment.

I Became A Better Gardener

I learned to plant in accordance with the seasons. In the past, I would have been planting at the beginning of spring, when most plants are just coming out of dormancy.

But by planting later in June or July, I was able to grow things that needed warm weather and wouldn’t have gotten enough sun if they had germinated earlier.

I learned how to grow plants in their ideal conditions: for example, tomatoes need lots of sun but can be grown indoors during winter months; basil requires lots of water but grows well indoors year-round; strawberries love acid soil so they are best grown under rhododendrons or azaleas (my own favorite).

I began growing plants that were suited for my environment: instead of trying to grow arugula every summer because it is supposed to be one of those “hardy lettuces” (only three out of four survived), I started growing lettuce seeds over winter so I could harvest them early spring without having to worry about them getting too much heat or rain at once—and now my harvest lasts all season long!

Top Gardening Tips from Experts

Tip	Description
Choose high-quality seeds	Opt for high-quality vegetable and herb seeds from reputable brands like Burpee or Seeds of Change. These will yield healthier and more robust plants.
Invest in good tools	Invest in a good set of gardening tools from brands like Fiskars or Corona to make your gardening tasks easier and more efficient.
Practice crop rotation	To prevent soil-borne diseases and pests, practice crop rotation by planting different types of plants in different areas each season.
Compost and mulch regularly	Keep your soil healthy and fertile by regularly adding compost and mulch, like Miracle-Gro Organic Choice or Scotts Nature Scapes.
Pay attention to spacing	Plants need adequate space to thrive, so be sure to space them out properly based on their specific needs. Use tools like the Garden Grid planting guide to help you plan.
Water deeply and consistently	Give your plants a deep watering once or twice a week, rather than frequent shallow watering. Use a reliable watering tool like a Gilmour hose or a Melnor water timer to make the process easier.
Monitor for pests and diseases	Keep an eye out for common garden pests and diseases, and take proactive steps to prevent or treat them using natural pest control methods or organic products like Bonide.
Stay informed	Keep up-to-date with gardening trends and techniques by reading reputable gardening blogs, like Gardenista, or by joining gardening communities on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook.

I Rethought My Relationship To The Earth

Permaculture transformed my relationship to the Earth. I’m not alone in this; many people have described feeling a shift in their perception of where they fit into the natural world after learning about Permaculture.

I began to see myself as an active participant in caring for, and stewarding, the Earth’s resources. The Earth isn’t just something we use or take from; it’s something that gives us life and sustenance, and we owe it our respect and care in return.

If you’re interested in learning more about how permaculture can change your perspective on this subject, check out my other article: How Permaculture Changed My Life (And How It Can Do The Same For You!).

If you’re looking to make a positive impact on the environment, consider permaculture gardening. Our article on the incredible benefits of permaculture gardening explores the various ways this technique can improve your surroundings while providing you with plenty of fresh produce.

I Started Growing Enough Food To Feed Myself And Others

If you want to grow your own food, but don’t know where to start, check out this article by Permaculture Magazine. It provides a ton of information on how to grow food in small spaces and containers as well as having your own backyard garden.

If you’ve never grown any type of plant before, don’t worry! It’s actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. You can either buy seeds or seedlings from a nursery or choose plants that are easy to take care of (like herbs).

Once they’re planted, all that needs to be done is watering regularly or even less frequently if there’s enough rain and keeping them protected from pests like birds and rodents who might eat them up!

I Got In Touch With My Animal Instincts

Permaculture is all about listening to your body, and learning to trust your instincts. We’re taught that it’s important to pay attention to our surroundings, but in my experience, it’s just as important for us to listen inside ourselves.

Being more aware of the world around us has helped me become a more mindful person, but in order for this mindfulness practice to have lasting effects on our lives, we have to apply it inwardly as well.

When I learned about permaculture, my mind was blown by the fact that even something so small could have such a big impact on my life and what was even more amazing was the realization that there are so many things I can do right now in order to help make this world a better place!

The most important thing is knowing how much power we each have when it comes down to making decisions about how we want our lives run (or don’t want them run).

As we strive towards a sustainable future, permaculture may very well be the ultimate solution. Check out our article on permaculture as the ultimate solution for a sustainable future to learn more about the long-term benefits of this eco-friendly technique.

I Picked Up Useful Life Skills

In the course of my permaculture journey, I’ve learned how to build a greenhouse, compost food waste and natural materials, grow vegetables and fruits in my backyard garden and identify plants and animals.

These skills have been fun to learn as well as incredibly useful—I can now save money on groceries by growing my own produce instead of buying it at a store or farmer’s market!

Permaculture is about more than just growing food; it’s about using resources wisely so that we can live more sustainably.

For example, instead of using oil-based fertilizers for our gardens (which are harmful for the environment), we use compost made from kitchen scraps like vegetable peels and coffee grounds.

We also use natural materials like sticks from trees when building structures like greenhouses because they don’t require any chemicals or other manmade products that could harm the environment later on down the line when those items eventually break down after being used for only a few weeks/months/years…

Practical Life Skills to Learn Today

Skill	Description
Cooking	Learn to cook healthy and delicious meals with YouTube videos or online classes from brands like Blue Apron or Sur La Table.
Budgeting	Take control of your finances by learning budgeting skills with apps like Mint or using online financial resources like Dave Ramsey’s website.
Time management	Improve your productivity and time management skills with tools like the Pomodoro technique or apps like Trello or Asana.
Communication	Learn to communicate more effectively with others by reading books or taking courses from brands like Skillshare or Udemy.
Home repair	Save money on home repairs by learning basic DIY skills from resources like Home Depot’s online library or Bob Vila’s website.
Gardening	Develop your green thumb and pick up useful gardening skills with resources like Better Homes & Gardens or Burpee’s gardening books.
Self-defense	Learn to defend yourself with martial arts classes or online self-defense resources from brands like Krav Maga Worldwide or The Fit to Fight® Process.
First aid	Be prepared for emergencies by learning basic first-aid skills and techniques with resources like Red Cross or St. John Ambulance.

My Career Focus Shifted

When I was in my early 20s and had just finished college, I was working as a graphic designer at an advertising agency. While I enjoyed my job, the thing that kept me going every day was that it allowed me to contribute to diversity in the workplace by being one of only two black females on staff.

But as much as I loved this aspect of my work life, something else started happening around this time: I became more interested in sustainability and wanted to work with people who were passionate about their work; people who were passionate about their community; people who were passionate about nature.

It wasn’t long before I realized that what made me happy wasn’t necessarily doing whatever it took to make money it was being surrounded by like-minded people who cared about making a difference for our planet (and themselves).

If you’re looking for inspiration to start your own permaculture project, check out our article on 10 amazing permaculture projects that have made a significant impact on their respective communities.

My Understanding Of Community Changed

My understanding of the community was completely changed by permaculture. I had always looked at communities as something that people just happened to be a part of, and it seemed that there was nothing you could do to control which ones you were a part of or how they worked.

Permaculture helped me realize that you actually have some control over those things: if you want to be in a good community, learn how to create one!

The first step is knowing what makes up a good community: groups of people with similar interests who come together because they want to help each other out and share resources. That’s all there is too it!

You don’t need fancy rules or complex rituals—just some people who want the same things (like food) and will work together toward those goals

I Became More Efficient With My Time And Money

The first thing that happened when I started practicing permaculture was that I became more efficient with my time and money.

My job at the time required me to be online almost all day, so I created a routine where I would take a one-hour break from using my computer during the middle of the day, so that my eyes and brain could rest. Then I would go for a walk or run around the block for about 15 minutes and come back refreshed.

This simple change made an enormous difference in my productivity level and energy levels throughout the day. It also allowed me to do things like going grocery shopping on foot instead of driving somewhere (which is much cheaper).

Want to learn more about permaculture and how to get started? Our guide on permaculture 101 covers everything from the basics to the more advanced techniques, ensuring that you have all the knowledge you need to transform your home and environment.

Permaculture Gave Me A Sense Of Purpose And Direction

Permaculture gave me a sense of purpose and direction. In a world where we are bombarded with messages telling us to go faster, be better, try harder to make more money and buy more stuff Permaculture gave me permission to slow down and listen.

It helped me feel more connected to nature and the earth around me. And it helped me feel more connected with other people as well as myself.

It Completely Changed How I Feel About Myself

Permaculture is a way of life that teaches you how to be sustainable, self-sufficient and kind to yourself and others. As you learn more about permaculture, it will change how you see everything in your life.

You’ll also realize that it’s not just about planting vegetables or using alternative energy sources; it’s also a mindset. The more I learned about permaculture, the more I realized that other areas of my life needed some major work!

I’ve always been somewhat introverted but as I began learning about permaculture and seeing how it can positively impact everyone around me (even strangers), I started opening up more than ever before!

Nowadays when I meet someone new at work or school – even if they’re not interested in sustainability – we always find something in common because we share this same passion for helping others through sustainable living practices.

It Taught Me To Respect Myself, My Body, And The Planet

Permaculture is the practice of working with nature, instead of against it. Permaculture design principles can be applied to any area of life, and can help you live in a more sustainable way. In particular, it’s helped me respect myself and respect the planet.

One thing I’ve learned from my experience with permaculture is that asking people for help isn’t shameful or wrong it’s necessary!

But it wasn’t always this way for me; as a teenager and young adult I was embarrassed by being dependent on others. I felt like asking someone else for help made me less than them because they were able to do things themselves while I wasn’t even though these tasks weren’t difficult or even very complicated at all!

Nowadays when I need something done around our home (and there are many), I don’t hesitate to ask my partner or friends if they’ll lend us their muscle power so we can get stuff done faster than if only one person worked on any given project and they’re always happy to assist!

When you treat your body well by eating nutritious food, exercising regularly (and not overdoing it so much that you injure yourself), getting enough rest every night…you’ll feel better about yourself overall because your mind won’t be clouded by negative emotions such as stress caused by feeling exhausted after running long distances without adequate preparation time beforehand.”

Conclusion

And that’s just the beginning. Learning about permaculture has given me a new way of looking at the world, and it’s been incredibly empowering.

I feel more connected to myself and my environment than ever before and I have all of these wonderful skills to show for it!

Whether you want better health, an improved sense of self-worth, or just more time and money in your pocket, permaculture can help you get there faster than any other method I know of. So don’t wait another minute: start learning today!

FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about permaculture and their answers:

What is permaculture?

Permaculture is a design approach that seeks to create sustainable, self-sufficient ecosystems by mimicking nature’s patterns. It involves using techniques like agroforestry, companion planting, and natural building to create healthier, more productive environments.

What are some benefits of permaculture?

Permaculture has a wide range of benefits, including improved soil health, increased biodiversity, and reduced waste. It can also lead to greater self-sufficiency, healthier food, and stronger communities.

Do I need a large plot of land to practice permaculture?

No, permaculture principles can be applied to any size of property, from a small urban backyard to a large rural farm. In fact, many permaculturists specialize in designing small-scale, highly productive systems.

How can I get started with permaculture?

Getting started with permaculture can be as simple as observing your local ecosystem and making small changes to your gardening practices. Many permaculture courses and workshops are also available online or in-person for a more comprehensive introduction to the topic.

Is permaculture only for farmers or gardeners?

No, permaculture principles can be applied to almost every aspect of life, including home design, personal finance, and community development. Permaculture is a holistic design approach that seeks to create environments that work with nature, rather than against it.

Hellen James

I’m Hellen James, and I’m an urban farmer and blogger. I’ve been growing food in my backyard for years, and I love sharing what I’ve learned with other people who want to start farming in their own yards.