Permaculture: basics

In short: Permaculture is a design approach for sustainable habitats that uses natural ecosystems as a model to create systems that are as self-sustaining and resource-efficient as possible. The term combines “permanent” and “agriculture”.

In more detail: Instead of working against nature, permaculture tries to cooperate with natural processes and cycles.

In detail

• Design principles: Every element in the system should fulfil several functions, and every function should be backed up by several elements.
• Multi-layered growing systems: Permaculture gardens often use different vegetation layers simultaneously, from ground cover to fruit trees, to use space efficiently.
• Soil building: A healthy, living soil with a high humus content is central, often promoted through mulching and avoiding digging.
• Water management: Techniques like swales and ponds aim to keep rainwater in the system and store it for dry periods.
• Companion planting: Different plant species are deliberately combined to protect each other from pests or make optimal use of nutrients.
• Cycle thinking: Waste from one part of the system is used as a resource for another part wherever possible, such as compost from kitchen waste for the garden.
• Beyond the garden: Permaculture principles are increasingly applied to social and economic systems too, not just agriculture (mischkultur-im-gemuesegarten, regenwasser-sammeln-und-nutzen).