Permaculture is a holistic approach to designing sustainable systems for food production, shelter, and other human needs. It is based on the principles of ecology, and aims to mimic the patterns and relationships found in natural ecosystems.
Permaculture seeks to create functional and efficient systems that are self-sustaining and require minimal input or maintenance.
It emphasizes the use of natural and renewable resources, and the integration of diverse elements in a way that is mutually beneficial.
Permaculture can be applied to a wide range of contexts, including urban and suburban environments, and can be scaled from small home gardens to large commercial farms.
Below are the 12 concepts of permaculture &why they are important in food gardening.
Observe and interact: This principle encourages us to observe the natural patterns and processes of the land, and to work with them rather than against them before placing any permanent features (such as fruit trees or hardscaping). This gives you time to observe microclimates, the path of the sun, different types of soil in your plot, rainfall, neighbor impacts, and so on. By taking time to interact with nature, we can design solutions that suit our current situation.
Catch and store energy: Permaculture aims to capture and store resources like water, solar energy, and nutrients in the most efficient way possible. When resources are abundant, it’s smart to store some of them to use later. For example, use water tanks to catch rain, or pickle summer vegetables so they can be eaten in winter. Design your house so the sun heats it throughout a winter’s day, retaining the warmth into the evening.
Obtain a yield: Permaculture designs should aim to produce food, shelter, and other resources for the people who use them.
Apply self-regulation and accept feedback: Permaculture systems should be self-regulating, meaning that they should be able to maintain balance without external input.
Use and value renewable resources and services: Permaculture seeks to use resources that are replenished naturally, rather than those that are finite or harmful to the environment.
Produce no waste: Permaculture aims to minimize waste and to use all resources in a way that is beneficial to the system.
Design from patterns to details: Permaculture design begins with a broad understanding of the natural patterns of the land, and then focuses on the specific details of each element.
Integrate rather than segregate: Permaculture design seeks to integrate different elements of the system in a way that is mutually beneficial By putting the right things in the right place, relationships develop between them, and they support each other.
Use small and slow solutions: Permaculture often emphasizes small-scale solutions that can be implemented gradually over time, rather than large-scale projects that may be unsustainable.
Use and value diversity: Permaculture values diversity in all aspects of the system, from plant and animal species to the skills and experiences of the people involved.
Use edges and value the marginal: Permaculture design seeks to make use of the edges of a system, where different elements meet and interact, as these areas often have the greatest potential for productivity. The logic is simple. If the most productive bit of woodland is the edge, then design it to have a bigger edge.
Creatively use and respond to change: Permaculture seeks to be adaptable and responsive to change, whether it is natural or human-induced.
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