10 Neat Things About Permaculture
If you’ve ever wished your garden could take care of itself, permaculture might be the answer. More than just a gardening trend, permaculture is a design philosophy that works with nature instead of against it. It’s about creating sustainable, self-sufficient systems, whether in your backyard, on a farm, or even in urban spaces. It’s low-maintenance, high-yield, and built to last. But despite its growing popularity, permaculture is still a mystery to many.
1. Permaculture is nature’s blueprint for abundance.
Permaculture is short for “permanent agriculture”. It was coined in the 1970s by Australian ecologists Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. At its core, permaculture designs human systems, like gardens, farms, and even communities, based on how nature already works. It uses principles like biodiversity, soil regeneration, and water conservation to create spaces that thrive with minimal intervention.
2. The "edge effect" supercharges productivity.
Permaculture embraces the fact that biodiversity is richest where two ecosystems meet—like where a meadow transitions into a forest: the forest shelters the land from the wind and sun while allowing more light than deeper inside the forest. Edges tend to be more ecologically diverse. By designing more edges – think of a jagged line rather than a straight line – you increase the natural variety plants, insects, and beneficial microbes.
3. Swales turn rain into a resource.
Instead of letting rainwater run off your property, permaculture uses swales (shallowtrenches; we called them ditches when I was a kid) to slow, spread, and sink water into the soil. This not only prevents erosion but also stores moisture for plants to use during dry spells.
4. Food forests grow more food with less effort.
Why work harder when nature can do the heavy lifting? A permaculture food forest layers trees, shrubs, vines, roots and ground cover plants to mimic a natural woodland. It also relies heavily on perennials, like fruit and nut trees, asparagus and rhubarb. Once established, these systems require minimal maintenance, allowing the plants to work together to maintain the soil, manage pests, and optimize resource use. It reduces the need for planting and intensive care while enhancing biodiversity and resilience.
5. Hugelkultur beds are nature’s raised planters.
No lumber? No problem. Hugelkultur (from the German for “hill culture”) is a method of burying logs, branches, and organic matter under soil to create long-lasting, moisture-retaining garden beds. As the wood decomposes, it releases nutrients, reducing the need for fertilizers.
6. But huglkultur beds aren’t always the solution.
This method of gardening doesn’t work in very dry climates because it requires a lot of water. It also takes time to establish, possibly years. It can take a lot of space (though it makes up for horizontal space in the vertical space it provides). And you must have access to decomposable wood, ideally wood you already need to get rid of.
7. Chickens can turn garden waste into fertility.
In permaculture systems, chickens aren’t just egg producers; they’re also natural composters, pest controllers, and soil aerators. Their scratching and pecking break down plant debris, mix organic matter into the soil, and keep insect populations in check. Some permaculturists use “chicken tractors”, mobile enclosures that let chickens work a specific area before moving on, preventing overgrazing while enriching the soil with manure.
8. No chickens? No problem.
Not everyone can keep chickens, especially in urban areas. Instead, composting, mulching, and worm bins (vermicomposting) can help cycle nutrients through your garden. Planting dynamic accumulators (plants like comfrey and yarrow that pull nutrients from deep in the soil) can also replace the fertilizing effect of manure. Companion planting and pollinator-friendly flowers will attract beneficial insects, offering pest control without poultry.
9. Weeds aren’t always the enemy.
Many so-called weeds play a critical role in soil health. Dandelions have deep taproots that pull nutrients to the surface, while clover fixes nitrogen in the soil. In permaculture, unwanted plants are often signs of what your soil needs, not just nuisances to be removed.
10. Permaculture isn’t just for plants.
While permaculture is best known for food production, its principles apply to everything from sustainable housing to community planning. Whether designing energy-efficient homes, water-efficient cities, or even ethical business models, the goal remains the same: work with nature, not against it.
