Permaculture is a holistic design system for sustainable
processes. It began by being a combination of the words permanent
agriculture but now permanent culture is considered a better
description. It includes ethics, design principles, and a
large variety of techniques. It was founded by Bill Mollison
and David Holmgren in the 1970's.
Ethics
The Ethics of permaculture are
Care for the Earth
Care for People
Fair Share
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 unseasonal 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 man made 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; greywater 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 is a
most productive area, such as where two natural environments meet,
known as an ecotone. An ecotone is one of the most diverse places
in a natural system, and has the highest yield. For example.
the edge between pasture and forest have both creatures and plants
from both those ecosystems and other plants and animals that like
both the environments, thereby 3 different groups, the pasture,
the forest and the transition loving life, all coincide one area.
Maximizing the edge will increase the total yields of the system.
12. Precautionary Principle Do no harm. Be
thoughtful and avoid unintended consequences. Only do what is
necessary and then use resources conservatively.
