Permaculture is a methodology for designing sustainable human habitats. It was developed by Australian ecologist Bill Mollison and American physicist David Holmgren in the early 1970s, and it’s primarily concerned with creating regenerative systems that can support human populations for generations or even centuries.
In Permaculture For Beginners: A Step-By-Step Guide we’ll look at the basics of this unique form of agriculture and how you can get started learning about it today!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Beginner’s guide to permaculture gardening |
| Tips and tricks for starting a permaculture garden |
| Important principles and concepts of permaculture |
| Benefits of sustainable agriculture and permaculture gardening |
| Integration of diverse crops and animals to create a self-sustaining ecosystem |
| Designing a permaculture garden to meet your needs and goals |
| How to get started with permaculture gardening |
| Permaculture and its impact on a sustainable future |
| Combating climate change and waste through sustainable agriculture |
| Developing a more sustainable and resilient community with permaculture gardening |
What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a system of ecological design, which aims to create sustainable human habitats by mimicking natural ecosystems.
It’s about creating sustainable systems that can be self-sufficient and productive.
So how does this help you? Well, if you want to be more eco-friendly, take care of your body or save money – permaculture gives you the tools needed to do just that!
Are you just getting started with permaculture gardening and looking for some guidance? Our step-by-step guide can help you get started on this exciting and rewarding journey.
What Should You Know Before Getting Started in Permaculture?
In case you haven’t heard of permaculture, it is an ecological design system that can be used to create sustainable environments. The word “permaculture” comes from permanent agriculture and it was designed by a man named Bill Mollison in the 1970s.
By definition, permaculture is a way of thinking and designing that can be applied to anything from your lawn to your backyard garden or even your entire backyard landscape!
In fact, some people are using permaculture to help them find solutions for their personal health problems (e.g., someone might work on their diet through the lens of permaculture).
Permaculturists believe that all living things have value and therefore should be respected as such. They also believe in working with nature rather than against her, which means they will take advantage of natural resources wherever possible instead of trying to replace them with man-made ones (such as pesticides).
For example: if you have weeds growing in your yard but no grass because they’ve taken over everything else around them…you won’t see any pesticides being used here because those would kill off all living things including those pesky weeds; instead what you’re likely going see are some good ol’ fashioned manual labor techniques like pulling up roots manually which allows plants like garlic mustard leaves themselves alone when not disturbed by humans.”
Key Considerations Before Starting a Permaculture Garden:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Site selection | Choose a site with good soil, sun exposure, and water access. Consider factors like zoning regulations, land use history, and community needs. |
| Design planning | Create a garden design that meets your goals and resources, taking into account crop and animal selection, pest control, and water management strategies. |
| Soil health | Ensure healthy soil by using methods like composting, cover cropping, and natural fertilizers. Test soil regularly for nutrients and pH levels. |
| Water conservation | Implement practices like rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and mulching to conserve water and decrease water waste. |
| Local resources | Use local resources like reclaimed materials, native plants, and locally adapted seed varieties to reduce waste, increase biodiversity, and support the local environment. |
Note: Brand names were not included in the table as the content does not suggest any specific products or brands.
How Does It Differ From Organic Farming?
Permaculture is a systems approach to creating sustainable human habitats, based on the understanding that nature has its own way of doing things. The philosophy behind permaculture is that if we can observe the way nature works and learn from it, we can create better living environments for ourselves.
Permaculture is different from organic farming in that it’s about more than just growing crops and managing pests organically; it’s about being intentional about every step of your gardening process from what plants you choose to grow to how you plan for water collection and reuse.
Permaculturists also look at their gardens as part of a larger ecosystem; they don’t just care about how their own little patch of land will do they’re concerned with how their garden interacts with other aspects of their property (and then even beyond).
If you’re interested in container gardening, you’re in luck! Our beginner’s guide to container gardening tips and tricks has all the information you need to get started and keep your plants healthy and thriving.
How Do You Start Practicing Permaculture?
Now that you know the basics of permaculture and how to get started, it’s time for action!
If you’re feeling inspired by these ideas and ready to build a garden bed, start by making a plan. Draw up a map of your space with measurements and consider what types of plants will grow best in which areas.
The one thing I wish I would have done differently when building my first raised beds was taking into account what they would look like when established: because they were on a slight slope, I had to make sure each row was level enough so that my plants wouldn’t fall over as they grew taller. It’s also helpful to have an idea of where your water source will be coming from—a nearby pond or river?
A rain barrel? A hose attachment on your house? When choosing where this should go, keep in mind that most plants prefer full sun (six hours or more) throughout the day rather than partial shade—but remember that shade can also be beneficial during hot summer months!
Step 1: Start with a Plan
Before you can dive into your permaculture project, you need to draw a map of your property. This will help you identify what resources are available and where they are located. It will also give you an idea of how many people will be using the land and what their goals are.
For example, if one person wanted to grow food for themselves but another wanted to sell their harvest at farmers’ markets, it might be useful to create two separate plans that take into account these different needs.
Once you have created this map and determined which areas of the property will receive most attention from each user group, it’s time to make a list of all the things you want on your site: plants, animals, buildings and so forth.
Finally, determine what resources (money/time) are available for purchasing or gathering materials necessary for building structures like fences or chicken coops.
Looking for a sustainable and eco-friendly way to grow your own food? Permaculture gardening may be the solution you’re looking for. Check out our article on the incredible benefits of permaculture gardening to learn more about this amazing practice.
Step 2: Observe and Interact
Observe the land, observe the people, and observe patterns in nature. Study what you see and then interact with it in a way that will enable you to personally experience its workings.
The more you observe, the more capable you’ll be of acting on an informed basis rather than just acting out of habit or ignorance.
Interaction means experimenting with different approaches until one feels right or true for your situation at hand; this will help you avoid mistakes that can lead to harmful consequences down the road.
Best Practices for Observing and Interacting in Permaculture Gardening:
| Practice | Description |
|---|---|
| Start small | Begin with a small garden plot or container garden to learn about the local climate and soil conditions. |
| Keep records | Track important data such as planting dates, yields, and pest problems to inform future decisions and improve the system over time. |
| Watch for patterns | Observe the natural patterns of the garden and its inhabitants, such as plant growth cycles, animal behaviors, and weather conditions. |
| Use all your senses | Engage all your senses to stay connected to the garden, including taste, smell, touch, sight, and sound. |
| Experiment and adjust | Try new techniques and strategies, and make adjustments based on what works and what doesn’t. Be open to learning from both successes and failures. |
| Foster relationships | Build relationships with the garden and its inhabitants, as well as with other people in the community who share your passion for permaculture gardening. |
| Practice mindfulness | Cultivate a mindful awareness of your own thoughts and feelings, and how they impact your interactions with the garden and its inhabitants. |
| Embrace change | Recognize that change is a natural part of any gardening practice, and be willing to adapt and evolve as needed to achieve your long-term goals and vision. |
Note: Brand names were not included in the table as the content does not suggest any specific products or brands.
Step 3: Catch and Store Energy
Now that you have a better understanding of the energy cycle, let’s explore how to catch and store energy.
Categorizing Sources of Energy
Energy sources are categorized into two main types: renewable and non-renewable. Renewable sources include wind power, solar power, and hydroelectric power. While these are all great options to use in your permaculture garden, they can also be used in other parts of your life if you need them as well!
Non-renewable sources include fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. These aren’t ideal because they pollute our environment with carbon dioxide emissions when we burn them for heat or other uses—and there isn’t much left anymore anyway!
Catching & Storing Renewable Energy
Step 4: Obtain a Yield
The fourth step in permaculture is to obtain a yield. The term “yield” refers to the act of harvesting energy and nutrients from one area, and using them to enhance another area.
For example, if you have a garden bed that is producing lots of weeds and grasses while neglecting your plants, you could remove those plants and use them as mulch for your garden bed. This will help keep weeds at bay while simultaneously providing nutrients for your plants.
Another way to use this concept would be on a larger scale: by building swales on sloped land (these are trenches filled with rocks or woodchips) water will drain into them instead of just running off down the hillside which can lead to erosion problems like landslides or flooding downstream (if there’s no river).
By putting in swales here instead of trying other methods such as terracing or contour plowing which have their own drawbacks (like needing high-energy inputs), we’re able to harness some potential power from nature without having much impact ourselves!
Curious about how permaculture can help you build a more sustainable future? Our comprehensive guide on permaculture, the ultimate solution for a sustainable future explains how this exciting practice can help you reduce waste, conserve energy, and grow more food with less effort.
Step 5: Apply Yourself to Natural Systems
This is the point in the process we reach where you have to begin applying permaculture principles to your life.
In order to do this, you need to start with yourself and then work outward into all of the natural systems around you.
The first place I recommend starting is with your garden—if you don’t already have one, now would be a good time to start one! Once you’ve got your plot of land set up and are ready for planting season, use these five steps as a guide:
- Plant species that serve multiple functions (e.g., cabbages provide food while also helping control pests)
- Plant in groups instead of rows (e.g., plant dill with broccoli rather than carrots)
- Maximize diversity by incorporating both annuals and perennials (e.g., grow tomatoes alongside basil)
- Use companion planting techniques so plants can provide benefits for each other (e.g., sow garlic near roses so they’ll help keep aphids away) If something doesn’t work out as planned, don’t give up on it right away; just try again next year! Lastly…
Step 6: Using and Value Renewable Resources and Services
Once you’ve identified the resources and services you have available, it’s important to learn how to use them.
For example, if your yard has a large oak tree that provides shade and a place for birds to roost, then planting crops under the branches of this tree would be wise.
This is because the leaves protect against frost, keeping soil temperatures warm in winter and allowing snow to melt more quickly in spring.
This can help prevent frost damage on plants and increase yields during harvest season.
If you live near water or want access to fresh fish, then knowing how to build a small pond or fish tank will come in handy later on when learning how permaculture works with nature’s cycles.
Are you feeling overwhelmed or unsure about where to start with permaculture? Our Permaculture 101 guide offers a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of this practice and can help you get started with confidence and clarity.
Step 7: Produce No Waste
The seventh step of permaculture is to produce no waste. This means that you will be using only renewable resources, using natural systems in your design, using natural processes to implement systems and processes, and using small and slow solutions as well as patterns that mimic nature.
Paying attention to edges is also important because edges are often overlooked in traditional agriculture or gardening methods.
Edges are where things meet two different types of soil; different plants growing together; two different climate zones meeting each other; forest meeting field or grassland melding into forest etc., so these areas need special consideration when designing an edible landscape (or any landscape).
Step 8. Design from Patterns to Details
The design process is iterative. You’ll make a lot of changes, but this is how you can make sure that the whole system works together and doesn’t have any weak spots.
The first thing to do when designing at this stage is to look for patterns in your initial designs.
For example, if you have been creating zones with different plants and animals, you might notice some similarities between them perhaps they share similar soil types or climatic conditions? If your site has a slope on it then maybe your zones are all following the same pattern of being higher in the north than south?
These similarities are good things because they suggest that there are natural systems already working in your landscape that can help support other elements like food production systems (e.g., gardens).
Next up is understanding what functions each zone or element will serve and how they will fit into the overall design concept as a whole.
This might mean using diagrams and tables again just like we did with The Pattern Language Of Permaculture zonation diagram earlier on in this lesson – so go back over those if needed!
Step 9. Integrate Rather than Segregate
By this point, you’re well on your way to becoming a permaculture expert. As an experienced student of permaculture, you’ve learned about its core principles and basic concepts.
You’ve also gained some practical skills for applying those principles in your own life. Now it’s time to take things to the next level!
Integration is a key concept in permaculture and it’s one that will help guide you as you continue learning more about the discipline and develop your personal practice.
So what exactly does integration mean? Essentially, it means working with nature rather than against it: finding ways to integrate ourselves into the land around us so we can work together as equals with our diverse ecosystems instead of trying to control them from afar or transform them into something they aren’t meant to be (think lawns).
In addition to understanding how integration works at an individual scale (i.e., how can I make my garden more compatible with local wildlife?), we’ll also learn about larger-scale considerations like where our food comes from (and whether there are other people involved) and how urban growth affects nearby rural communities
Step 10. Use Small and Slow Solutions
Permaculture is about small solutions to problems. It’s also about taking your time and thinking things through. Small, slow solutions are an important part of permaculture design because they help us to be thoughtful about the long-term effects of our actions on nature and ourselves.
We can do this by using natural systems instead of technology, using local resources instead of foreign ones, or using renewable resources instead of depleting nonrenewable ones.
When we start looking at how we use resources in our daily lives, we often find that there are ways to replace or reduce their use with something more sustainable without sacrificing what makes life enjoyable for us at present (e.g., replacing plastic water bottles with reusable glass versions).
Another way that permaculturists use small and slow solutions is by utilizing recycled materials whenever possible rather than purchasing new ones that have been shipped across thousands of miles before ending up in landfills somewhere where they will continue causing pollution until they break down into toxic elements.
Step 11. Use Edge, Value the Marginal
Permaculture has a lot to say about the edge. The edge is where two ecosystems meet, and it’s where all the action happens. It’s not just the place of most interest; it also has a special status in terms of value:
In permaculture, as in medicine and ecology, edges are seen as having higher value than either ecosystem alone—they’re hotspots of biodiversity.
Edges tend to be better at performing multiple functions than either ecosystem would on its own. They’re flexible and dynamic, responding quickly when things change or shift (like if you need some shade at midday).
Edges can support more diverse communities than their inner zones do because they have greater access to resources (from both sides) that might otherwise be inaccessible or impractical for other members of society who aren’t up for such an adventure.
Conclusion
The permaculture movement is one of the most important things happening today. It’s a way of life that seeks to create sustainable communities by using natural systems as its model.
By practicing this method, we can re-learn how to live on earth in harmony with nature instead of harming it.
This guide will show you how to start implementing some key steps in your own backyard or community garden and give you some guidelines for creating your own plan for incorporating more permaculture principles into your life
Further Reading
If you want to learn more about permaculture gardening, here are a few recommended resources:
Permaculture Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide: A comprehensive article that covers the basics of permaculture gardening and provides tips for getting started.
How to Start a Permaculture Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide: A detailed guide that walks you through the process of setting up a permaculture garden, from selecting a site to planting your first seeds.
Permaculture for Beginners: What is Permaculture and How Can You Start Practicing It?: A helpful introduction to permaculture, including key concepts and design principles.
FAQs
What is permaculture gardening?
Permaculture gardening is a method of sustainable agriculture that emphasizes working with nature rather than against it, integrating diverse crops and animals to create a self-sustaining ecosystem.
What are the benefits of permaculture gardening?
Permaculture gardening can help increase biodiversity, reduce waste, conserve water, and support local ecosystems. It can also provide a source of fresh, healthy food and create a more resilient and sustainable community.
How do I get started with permaculture gardening?
To get started with permaculture gardening, it’s important to first define your goals and resources, and then design a garden system that works for you. Some key considerations include choosing the right site, selecting crops and animals that work well together, and implementing sustainable practices like composting and natural pest control.
Do I need any special equipment or skills to practice permaculture gardening?
While some specialized tools like broadforks or scythes may be helpful, permaculture gardening can be practiced with basic gardening equipment. No special skills are required, but it’s important to have a willingness to observe, learn, and adapt as you go.
How can permaculture gardening contribute to a more sustainable future?
Permaculture gardening can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and chemical inputs, while improving soil health, biodiversity, and local food systems. By working with nature to create sustainable, regenerative ecosystems, we can help build a healthier, more resilient world.
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.