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.

first designCamp at Beyond Buckthorns - participants

Permablitz designCamp

by Nick Jais
on
at Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design

In early 2020 we bought the neighbors 0,5ha pine forest / recreational spot that was years back sold to them by Lumia's, my wife’s parents. The neighbors wanted to sell and for us it was a good opportunity to buy. Lumia then started the process… more

Introducing the PermaCafé at the associations meeting

Welcome to the PermaCafe

by Nick Jais
on
at Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design

Over the past years the Finnish permaculture association used all kinds of different tools and processes to get members involved. The following design used permaculture ethics and principles to introduce a new social design tool called PermaCafé… more

Permaculture tomato house

Ritvas Permaculture Garden

by Nick Jais
on
at Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design

Designing a permaculture garden for a friend of mine in Finland was fun. I appreciated been given that opportunity. Read about the entire Permaculture design process using Looby's design web.

Making dandelion honey at Beyond Buckthorns

Making dandelion honey

by Lumia
on
at food

How to make dandelion syrup - recipe and Lumia explaining the process on a video! Have you ever heard of vegan honey? It's not the latest superfood, but just a nice name for dandelion syrup which you can make in your own kitchen, no bees needed,… more

Introducing the Jean-Luc - the biogas digester at Beyond Buckthorns

Introducing the Jean-Luc

by Nick Jais
on
at Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design

Since I got dropped into biogas, working with Prof. TH Culhane on different biogas projects, I always wanted to have a biogas system on my own. When I came to Finland I finally got the space to build a biogas digester and then actually experiment… more