Understanding Permaculture: Sustainable Growing Practices

  1. Sustainability
  2. Permaculture Design
  3. Permaculture at Meadow Orchard

Sustainability

Permaculture is a sustainable method of growing, using self-sufficient, perpetual ecosystems, often applied to farming, gardening, and land management. The word is a combination of “permanent” and “agriculture,” striving to create ongoing systems, working harmoniously, as a part of nature rather than against it. Studying the world around us and the natural systems that have endured for millennia.

The principles of permaculture are based on observing, understanding and trying to replicate natural systems. Designing systems of growing which are both productive and regenerative. Key aspects of permaculture include:

  1. Earth Care – Creating a method to grow food, working with nature and eco systems, not exploiting nature.
  2. People Care – Permaculture encourages systems that support and care for human communities, ensuring their well-being and prosperity. Yields from a Permaculture garden may include, building community or joy.
  3. Fair Share – This concept promotes sharing resources, surplus, and wealth to ensure a fair distribution for all. Making sure we leave produce, seeds etc to support our natural eco system.

Permaculture Design

Permaculture garden designs typically focus on:

  • Planting systems that mimic natural ecosystems to improve resilience, reduce pests, and increase biodiversity.
  • Water management using techniques like rainwater harvesting and swales to manage water efficiently. Building healthy soils that can drain and retain rainfall to minimise the need for watering.
  • Soil regeneration through composting, mulching, and cover cropping to maintain soil health, allowing leaflitter to compost in place to support soil life and soil health.
  • Energy efficiency using renewable resources, solar power and reducing waste. Reclaiming and reusing rather than throwing away.

Permaculture focuses on designing systems that work with nature. It aims to create sustainable living environments. These environments meet human needs while preserving the health of the earth instead of exploiting it.

Permaculture at Meadow Orchard