Permaculture is a philosophy of life in which animals, insects, humans, plants and micro-organisms live harmoniously in a healthy and self-sufficient environment. Invented by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970s, the word "permaculture" is the contraction of "permanent agriculture". It combines both ancestral and innovative techniques that aim at achieving a productive, autonomous ecosystem, which regenerates naturally, while being respectful of nature and all its inhabitants.
In permaculture, a garden is intended to fulfil several functions: in addition to the production of fruits and vegetables, it can be used to grow medicinal plants, aromatic herbs, bee-attracting flowers, ornamental plants or to create relaxing or playful outdoor living spaces…Here are some key principles to start a permaculture garden.
Rethink your space
In a Permaculture garden, there are usually five zones, from the most intensive zone (zone 1), where human activity is most frequent, to the wildest zone (zone 5), where human activity is less frequent, usually further away from dwellings. In short, the more a zone requires visits from you (watering, care, harvesting…), the more it should be located close to your home. Traditionally zone 1 contains a vegetable and herb garden. Zone 2 contains a hen house and orchard. Zone 3 contains field crops, nut trees and pastures. Zone 4 contains timber forests and forage while Zone 5 is an area left wild.
Observe and understand your environment
Observe and analyse your surroundings in order to adjust your garden plan according to the elements present in your environment. For instance, knowledge of the water cycle, solar cycle, prevailing winds, climate and type of soil on your site will allow you make appropriate choices regarding the best location to place vegetables, flowers, orchards or animals. Valuing diversity in your eco-system will increase healthy, harmonious and productive interactions between living organisms and create a more resilient ecosystem.
Try sheet mulching
The “lasagna bed” technique is a great alternative used in permaculture, especially for annual plantations. Rather than ploughing the soil with large machines, use newspapers or wet cardboards as a barrier against weeds in your future growing areas. Plant roots and water will be able to penetrate the soil and even enrich it: worms love cardboard! Then, cover the earth with a layer of straw or suitable organic mulch and a layer of compost and soil. Finally, spread mulch to help retain moisture.
Make your own compost
Making your compost is another important element in a permaculture garden, where nothing should ever be lost. While it is simple and easy to achieve, compost it is not a mere pile of forgotten waste at the bottom of a garden. It is the result of the transformation of organic matter (vegetable or animal) by living beings (insects, worms, bacteria …). This decomposition process requires oxygen, or else the waste simply starts to rot. The key elements to produce a good compost are: the right ingredients, a good balance between these ingredients, aeration and good humidity levels. Compost can be made in heaps, composters or vermicomposters.
Practice companion planting
Vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, small fruit trees and ornamental plantations are commonly cultivated together in permaculture. They interact in a virtuous way: providing nutrients to each other, creating microclimates, working as natural pest repellents….For instance, basil is a strong fly repellent that is very beneficial to tomatoes, asparagus, peppers, peppers and eggplants. Many specific plant associations allow for beautiful harvests and help gardeners limit or even avoid altogether the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Imitate nature
The imitation of nature is the ultimate goal of permaculture. Take time to connect with the natural world around your home. Look for ways to imitate it by reproducing, for example, an edible forest with soil cover, a layer of shrub, short trees and tall trees that function in symbiosis. A well-designed edible forest can regenerate and produce seeds, nuts, berries, fruits, flowers, roots, herbs, vegetables…The permaculture garden also leaves a large place for perennial species.
Optimise your garden
Make sure every living organism performs to its full extent. Animals, for instance, can fulfil multiple functions: hens can provide you with food, cleanse your soil, fertilize it and eat your kitchen waste and potentially harmful insects. Similarly, each function must be filled by multiple elements. Soil fertilisation, for instance, can be provided by your animals, your compost and vermicompost (the product of a composting process using worms).