Deb Lukas

What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is very difficult to define in just a few words; it is a holistic design system for sustainable processes, usually applied to agriculture. It includes philosophy, design principles, and a large variety of techniques, including many that are not specific to permaculture. It was developed/defined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren.

Ethics

The Ethics of permaculture are

  • Care for the Earth
  • Care for People
  • Share the surplus

Principles

1. Observation
"prolonged and thoughtful observation, rather than prolonged and thoughtless action". Observe what is there and how it changes over the seasons; the wind, the sunlight, the weeds. All gardening is local, and every local place is different, there is no sustainable one-size-fits-all solution.

2. Relative Location
Locate things close to where they are needed, to cut down on work walking between then and transporting materials. To assist in this, permaculture uses the concept of zones. Properties are divided into various zones, and elements are located in the appropriate zone based on how often it is visited.

  • zone 1 is the area immediately around the house that is used constantly
  • zone 2 is visited often, such as the vegetable garden and chicken coop
  • zone 3 is farmed areas, pastures, hayfields
  • zone 4 is semi-wild areas such as a woodlot
  • zone 5 is entirely wild and natural.


3. Each element performs multiple functions
Elements should be selected and located so they have multiple functions; so a fruit tree might also provide shade, and chickens both for eggs and insect control. The more functions that can be performed by an element, such as a chicken, the more diverse relationships that are created, and the more stable the system will be.

4. Each function is supported by multiple elements
To avoid the risk of an element failing and the function not being fulfilled, each important function should be performed by multiple elements. In economics, this is called diversification. In permaculture, this might mean planting a variety of different vegetables and fruits, to avoid the risk of unseasonable weather, pests or disease destroying the entire food supply.

5. Least change for greatest effect
By observing the system and considering the changes that are intended, look for the smallest change that can be made to get the greatest effect. Don't try to make water flow uphill.


6. Diversity of relationships
Diverse elements that each have many relationships with the other elements in the system creates a web, where the total yield is greater than if each element was in isolation.
One way Permaculture thinks about this diversity is using guilds. Guilds are groups of different plants and trees that grow together, using different layers in the air and in the soil, and providing different functions. The classic example is the "Three Sisters" - growing corn, pumpkin, and beans together. The corn provides a support for the twining bean vines, the beans fix nitrogen for the corn and pumpkins, the pumpkins cover the ground to prevent weeds.

7. Use of biological resources
Biological resources - plants and animals - grow and build up over time, while man-made objects deteriorate. Biological resources are usually more complex and capable of more relationships. So whenever possible use biological resources, preferably natural and on-site, to fill a purpose.
An example of this is greywater systems - permaculture systems often include greywater management, since the need for water and disposing of it is universal. Using aquatic plants (a biological resources) to filter and clean water naturally, rather than manmade filters and pumps, creates a system that requires minimal input or maintenance, and creates minimal waste, and can produce a yield of some kind (such as basketry materials, or mulch). This also treats the greywater as a useful resource, rather than something to be removed from the system.

8. Energy recycling
Whatever inputs you have into the system, such as water, should be used and reused as many times as possible. Unused energy is waste, and the existence of waste reduces sustainability of the system. Any waste should be considered in either to figure out how to use it as a resource, or how to reduce its production.
One technique often discussed in permaculture is swales, which are ditches used to keep water on the soil longer so it can soak in, rather than running off quickly.

9. Appropriate technology
Consider the impact of any technology used for cooking, lighting, transport, heating, water, sewage, and so on. Don't overlook the impacts that you don't see directly, such as the energy and mining required to produce metal items, and electricity that is generated by burning fossil fuels.
The topic of Permaculture often includes natural building techniques, such as strawbale and cob; passive solar heating; graywater recycling systems and composting toilets. These types of technologies may or may not be appropriate for a particular location, the technologies need to be reconsidered for each set of circumstances.

10. Natural succession
Natural ecosystems develop and change over time; allow for this change and plan for the long term. For example, when planting trees you can use the space between them for sun loving plants for some years before they will be shaded.

11. Edge effect
The edge, where two environments meet, is the most diverse place in a system, and has the highest yield; for example, the banks of a stream, or the edge between pasture and forest. Maximizing the edges, by making indents instead of straight lines, will increase the total yields of the system.

 

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