Definition of Permaculture

Permaculture is a design philosophy /methodology and set of practices that aim to create sustainable and self-sufficient human settlements and agricultural systems (and of course everything that is related to it). It is based on the principles of working with, rather than against, nature; maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste; and taking a holistic and integrated approach to design.

Permaculture practices include using diverse plant and animal species in mutually beneficial relationships, incorporating elements such as composting, water management, and natural building materials into designs, and minimizing the use of non-renewable resources. Permaculture can be applied to a wide range of contexts, including urban and rural settings, and is often used in agriculture, forestry, and land management.

Techniques and strategies

Some common techniques and strategies used in permaculture include:

  • Plant guilds: Groupings of plants that have mutually beneficial relationships, such as a fruit tree surrounded by nitrogen-fixing plants, pest-deterring plants, and plants that attract beneficial insects.
  • Polycultures: Planting a diverse mix of crops together, rather than a monoculture of a single crop, which can improve soil health, increase pest and disease resistance, and improve overall yield.
  • Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural systems, often by planting trees and crops together in a way that maximizes their productivity and ecological benefits. Good example is the multistrata agroforestry - the food forest. 
  • Water harvesting and management: Capturing and storing rainwater and using it efficiently, through techniques such as swales, contour planting, and cisterns.
  • Composting: Decomposing organic matter to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used to fertilize plants.

Permaculture has the potential to help create more sustainable and resilient communities and food systems, and is increasingly being adopted around the world as a way to address environmental and social challenges.

If you want to learn more about permaculture and permaculture education read on at https://nordicpermaculture.org

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Articles tagged with permaculture

Beyond Buckthorns is now a EuPN certified PermaHub

Introducing the EuPN certified PermaHub – a modern data driven approach to accreditation

by Nick Jais
on
at Design

This design is to show a data driven approach to assessing and accrediting permaculture places. It was driven by the frustration I got working with the LAND (Learning, Action, Network and Demonstration) system in Finland.

Learn about sustainability at Beyond Buckthorns

What do you want to learn in terms of sustainability?

by Nick Jais
on
at course

Some years back I asked myself “What do I want to learn about sustainability?”. I couldn’t answer that question right away. I researched different universities – but nothing about sustainability in the terms of a holistic approach was available.… more

A permaculture design during the PDC @ Beyond Buckthorns

A modern way into the Permaculture Design Certificate

by Nick Jais
on
at PDC

In 2022 we run our first PDC here at Beyond Buckthorns. Dominik designed it using permaculture ethics and design. Read about observations and the design.

A Kontiki klin at Beyond Buckthorns Permaculture

From plans to build - a Kontiki kiln for charcoal making

by Nick Jais
on
at kiln

In order to close the loop of my biogas systems outputs I thought of a mixture of shit, piss, effluent and charcoal some years ago. The only missing component was until recently the charcoal. Charcoal making is an art on its own, especially if… more

Integrated composting area - the poop palace

Building the poop palace - an integrated composting area

by Nick Jais
on
at Zone 1

Flushing our shit with clean drinkable water down the toilet to an entity that then separates shit from water in order to make our water drinkable again isn’t really sustainable or? There must be better ways around, especially something that is… more

Weather station at Beyond Buckthorns

Building a DIY weather station

by Nick Jais
on
at Weatherstation

Weather stations allow to get different data, like temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, etc. At Beyond Buckthorns we now have one Dominik has built.