I wrote a post on what Permaculture is, its ethics, and the twelve design principles. Now, here are some of the key elements of Permaculture that capture the essence of what it’s really all about and how it shows up in our world.
Food Forests & Polyculture
— Food forests mimic natural forests with layers of plants: canopy, understory, shrubs, ground cover, vines, and root crops.
— This is an example of polyculture which helps create diverse and resilient food production systems.
No-Till Gardening & Soil Health
— No-till gardening helps to avoid disturbing the soil structure.
— For healthy soil, use mulch, compost, and cover crops to build rich, living soil.
Water Management
— Rainwater can be harvested through barrels and ponds for water management.
— Swales and berms can also be used to slow and direct water flow.
— Then, greywater systems can be used for irrigation.
Composting & Soil Building
— Composting is about turning organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. It’s a great way to recycle food waste.
— Note: in soil building there is also vermiculture (worm composting) and the hot composting method.
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
— Renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines can be used.
— Building an energy-efficient house and other structures can help with natural insulation and ventilation.
Animal Integration
— Animals such as chickens, ducks, or goats can help with natural pest control and soil fertilization.
— Having a beehive on site is great at well because bees help with pollination.
Natural Building Techniques
— Building with sustainable, local materials with low environmental impact. Some examples include cob, straw bale, and earthbag structures.
— The house in the photo was made out of cob! Cob houses are incredible because they produce such unique structures.
Those are the main elements of Permaculture! Combining all of these elements within your own home or property can create an ecosystem that is sustainable and self-sufficient. For more posts like this one, check out the tags self sufficiency and homesteading.
