by Emma Cooper

Created on: January 28, 2009   Last Updated: April 04, 2011

'Permaculture' is a combination of two words - PERManent and agriCULTURE or simply CULTURE - used to describe a way of designing systems for human use that meet human needs in a sustainable way. The term was first used in the 1970s, by two Australians - Bill Mollinson and David Holmgren.

Permaculture is a method of design that encourages us to develop efficient and productive systems - for producing food, to provide for our material needs, or even simply healthy communities - based on three core values. 'Earthcare' encourages us to think about the effect our activities have on the planet, and to develop ways to live more sustainably. 'Peoplecare' aims to develop healthy communities, by respecting and supporting everyone. 'Fairshares' places realistic limits on individual consumption, with the result that the planet's resources are used wisely and equitably.

Permaculture includes many design concepts, based on taking inspiration from natural systems that are sustainable in the long term. It's important to look at the system as a whole, not the individual parts, so that the connections between the parts are visible and each part can be put in the right place. In terms of a community, this might mean ensuring that homes and workplaces are close together to avoid the need to commute. In gardening terms it would mean putting the plants that need the most attention closest to the house, while perennial plants that can fend for themselves more are further away. Designs make the best possible use of resources, to minimize inputs (including human effort!) and maximize outputs. Waste products are used as inputs elsewhere - reused or recycled locally.

Although permaculture design can be applied to anything we create, currently its most well known applications are for gardening or agriculture. A forest garden is a system for growing food that mimics a natural forest. Several 'layers' of plants grow at different heights, making the best possible use of the space, light and available nutrients. The seven layers are the root zone, the soil layer, herbaceous plants, shrubs, low trees, the canopy (tall trees) and climbing plants. The majority of the plants used in forest gardens are perennial or self-seeding. In a well-planned forest garden there is little maintenance required after the initial planting, but there is always something useful to be harvested. Although most of the plants will produce food, many forest garden plants have multiple uses - providing herbal medicines, dye, and fibres. In fact, the list of possible uses for plants is almost endless (see http://www.pfaf.org/leaflets/other_uses.php).

Another well known example of permaculture design is the herb spiral. Herb plants (again, with a mixture of edible, medicinal and other uses) are grown spiralling around a mound of soil. The south-facing side of the mound will be sunny and hot; the north side will be cooler. The top of the mound will be drier than the bottom. The idea here is that each herb can be given its ideal growing conditions, and will be healthy and productive.

Permaculture is a very large and interesting subject, and hopefully this brief introduction will encourage you to learn more. Here are some good resources for further reading:

• Permaculture Activist  - The website of the US permaculture magazine

• Permaculture Magazine  - The website of the UK-based Permanent Publications

• The Permaculture Research Institute of Australia 

• Plants for A Future  - A database of edible and otherwise useful plants

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