I discovered permaculture when I was teaching Eco-Nutrition at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in Canada. This class outlines the importance of our environment and how our food is grown in connection to our health & well-being. Protecting and caring for our environment has been something that I have been passionate about since childhood. Like many of us, I forgot that about myself until I started reconnecting with gardening & how to grow the most nutritious, sustainable food I could for my family. I realized quite early on that permaculture connected the dots for me. It is a science-based road map to a prosperous, sustainable, healthy, and ethical future.

“The only ethical decision is to take responsibility for our existence and that of our children. Make it now!”

Bill Mollison, Permaculture: A Designer’s Manuel, 1989

There are so many places to start with permaculture! I encourage you to take action in your own life and read on to find out how you can create abundance for yourself, your community, and for generations to come. In this article, I will share:

• What is permaculture
• The 3 design ethics of permaculture
• The principles of permaculture
• Soil health & permaculture
• How permaculture relates to well-being
• Permaculture Biomes & Community
• How permaculture can help biodiversity

What is permaculture?

In a world where environmental consciousness is becoming increasingly crucial, permaculture emerges as a beacon of sustainable living. Derived from “permanent agriculture” and “permanent culture,” permaculture is a holistic approach that integrates ecological principles into every aspect of human life. By harmonizing with nature rather than imposing upon it, permaculture offers a roadmap towards resilient and regenerative living. Let’s explore the key principles that form the foundation of this ecological design philosophy.

The 3 Design Ethics of Permaculture

Permaculture is a regenerative and scientific lens on three basic design ethics: Earth care, People care, & future care. In permaculture, it is these three ethics along with the universal principles of nature that guide our decision-making, problem-solving, designing, interaction, observation, and reflection. Ultimately, it is a way of seeing and interacting with the natural world regeneratively.

David Holmgren and Bill Mollison are the founders of the concept of permaculture. They believed that these ethics don’t just apply to gardening or agriculture but to all systems, economies, and social settings. That includes the way we live, think, speak, and act. They chose these three ethics because they were the core ethics of all the longest-lasting civilizations.

Ethic #1 – Earthcare

Earth care was especially important to these cultures because they recognized that all of their water, food, shelter, and tools came from the earth. They felt that they had a responsibility to behave in a way that respected the natural cycles and their specific bioregion. If we think about how and what we consume today, it is all non-renewable sources that have been accumulating for thousands, if not millions of years.

Ethic #2 – People care

The second ethic acknowledges the fact that we are all connected and rely upon each other. We should have compassion for others within our families, communities, and even strangers. Without this ethic, we cannot form safe and strong communities to raise families.

Ethic #3 – Future care

The third ethic can also be thought of as fair share, return of surplus, and setting limits to consumption. Caring for the future implies:

• Saving
• Sharing
• Donating
• Preserving
• Setting limits
• Reducing consumption
• Returning both natural & man-made capital into socioeconomic & environmental systems for the future

This can be as simple as using cow manure in the compost or practicing zero-waste shopping.

Principles of Permaculture

I would explain the principles of permaculture as the universal methods that go “deeper” within the three ethics. These are the principles and responsibilities that will help guide our interactions with nature.

1. Observation and Interaction:

Permaculture starts with a deep understanding of the natural environment. By keenly observing the patterns and cycles of nature, practitioners gain insights that guide sustainable decision-making. Interaction with the environment becomes a dance, a collaboration that fosters mutual benefit.

2. Catch and Store Energy:

Energy is a currency, and the key is to catch and store it efficiently. This principle encourages the use of renewable energy sources, such as sunlight and wind, and the careful preservation of resources for future use. An interesting example are plants which store energy from the sun for us to benefit from.

3. Obtain a Yield:

Efficiency is a core value in permaculture. The systems created should not only be sustainable but also productive. This principle encourages practitioners to design spaces and cultivate plants that yield abundant harvests, providing both sustenance and surplus.

4. Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback:

These systems are designed to be self-regulating, minimizing the need for external inputs. Practitioners continuously learn from the feedback provided by their ecosystems, adjusting and refining their designs to work in harmony with the natural world.

5. Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services:

Permaculture emphasizes the importance of utilizing renewable resources and ecosystem services. By prioritizing sustainable practices and reducing reliance on finite resources, practitioners contribute to the long-term health of the planet.

6. Produce No Waste:

The concept of “waste” is redefined in permaculture. Everything has a purpose, and nothing should be discarded thoughtlessly. Waste becomes a valuable resource in a well-designed system.

7. Design from Patterns to Details:

Permaculture design involves recognizing larger patterns in nature and then delving into the specifics. By understanding the natural rhythms and connections, practitioners can create more effective and harmonious designs.

8. Integrate Rather Than Segregate:

In permaculture, diversity is a strength. By integrating different elements within a system, practitioners create resilient ecosystems where each component serves multiple functions, fostering a harmonious and balanced environment.

Mimics Patterns in Nature

Permaculture harmoniously follows nature’s intricate patterns, recognizing and embracing the wisdom encoded in natural ecosystems. Rooted in observation, it mimics the interconnected relationships and cyclical processes found in nature. By understanding and replicating the layered structures of forests, the succession of plant species, and the efficient use of available resources, permaculture seeks to create sustainable and regenerative systems. The practice values biodiversity, leveraging the strengths of diverse plant and animal species to enhance resilience and productivity. In essence, permaculture aligns with the inherent intelligence of natural patterns, allowing its practitioners to work in collaboration with the environment rather than against it. This approach not only fosters more efficient and resilient agricultural systems but also nurtures a profound and respectful connection between humans and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Permaculture Design

Permaculture seeps into every area of your life for the better. If being sustainable and responsible are your goals, you soon realize how connected to nature you need to be to achieve them. In nature, all differences strive for equilibrium. If we can understand how to help create live soil, keep water available throughout the growing season, and have the right seeds at the right time, we can set the stage for nature to find its balance. It is our role as land stewards to observe how nature is trying to find balance in the ecosystem and support it to thrive to its fullest potential. It then becomes a cycle. The more you give back to nature, the more it gives back to you (this is a whole other article though!)

Permaculture & Well-Being

When I started learning about permaculture, I was already a nutritionist and health coach. I understood the importance of our connection with nature. However, learning about permaculture helped me piece together so many things!

Permaculture changed the approach I take to well-being.

Our environment plays such a huge role in our health. Being outside and connected to the land helps your body stay in its natural rhythms. You are bound to get:

Sun: Light exposure helps regulate everything in our body, from vitamin D levels to our hormones to how well we sleep.

Better nutrition: Healthy soil life & biodiversity means plants can get all the nutrients they need. That means our food is more nutrient-dense. Fruits and vegetables sold in supermarkets today contain far fewer nutrients than they did 50 years ago.

Movement: I never feel like I need to go to the gym when the garden is in full swing. There is also squatting, shoveling, walking, pushing the lawn mower (we have a push-mower), and weeding.

Mental Health & Well-being: The practice also nurtures mental and emotional health by fostering a deep connection with the land, encouraging mindful observation, and promoting a sense of purpose through sustainable living.

Connection with the microbes in the soil: Studies have show that the microbes in the soil give off natural anti-depressants. It also helps support gut health & immunity)

Medicinal plants: who doesn’t love fresh herbs in soup & herbal teas on hand at all times?

Community Engagement and Social well-being

Moreover, permaculture’s emphasis on community engagement and cooperation enhances social well-being by encouraging shared responsibility and mutual support. The incorporation of green spaces, natural beauty, and the therapeutic benefits of working in and with nature further contribute to well-being. I think this is something we can all get behind!

These practices offer me a holistic approach to LIFE and are now practices that are integrated into my coaching approach.

Permaculture Garden

Rooted in the principles of permaculture design, this method goes beyond traditional gardening by creating self-sustaining and regenerative ecosystems. The goal is to mimic the diversity and resilience of natural landscapes, utilizing a variety of plants that complement and support one another. Key features include thoughtful planning, companion planting, soil conservation, water management, and the integration of elements like composting and beneficial wildlife. By emphasizing harmony with the environment, permaculture gardening fosters biodiversity, minimizes waste, and promotes long-term soil health. This method not only provides a source of fresh, homegrown produce but also contributes to the overall well-being of the ecosystem (that includes you!), making it a mindful and ecologically conscious approach to growing food.

Permaculture Farm

Permaculture farming integrates ecological principles to create self-sustaining and resilient agricultural systems. Emphasizing diversity, soil health, and resource efficiency, permaculture farms utilize polyculture (animals, plants, soil life), agroforestry, and companion planting to mimic natural ecosystems. Water conservation and soil fertility practices are respected even at this level. The approaches as to how to manage that can vary widely. Permaculture farming seeks to enhance biodiversity, reduce environmental impact, and cultivate a more holistic relationship between farmers and the land. This approach not only yields nutritious and diverse crops but also embodies a sustainable and ethical vision for the future of agriculture.

Permaculture farming is gaining traction in Nepal’s Dhankuta district. Photo: Permaculturenepal.com

Permaculture Food Forest

A food forest, also known as a forest garden or edible forest, is a sustainable and regenerative agricultural system designed to mimic the structure and function of a natural forest ecosystem while producing a variety of food, medicinal plants, and other useful products. The concept is rooted in permaculture principles, emphasizing the creation of diverse and self-sustaining ecosystems that benefit both humans and the environment.

The design and components of a food forest can vary based on climate, soil conditions, and local ecosystems. Overall, the goal is to create a productive and sustainable landscape that mimics the biodiversity and ecological balance found in natural forests while providing a variety of nutritious and edible yields.

Our 2-year-old permaculture garden, soon to be permaculture food forest (stay tuned!) in December 2023

Syntropic forestry

Also known as syntropic agroforestry or syntropic farming, is an agroecological approach that involves cultivating and managing diverse plant species in a manner that mimics natural forest ecosystems. Developed by Brazilian agriculturist Ernst Götsch, syntropic forestry aims to create regenerative and self-sustaining agricultural systems that enhance soil fertility, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem resilience.

Syntropic forestry has gained attention for its potential to provide sustainable food production while fostering ecological resilience. It is particularly relevant in the context of agroecology and promoting practices that work in harmony with nature to create productive and regenerative agricultural landscapes.

Sustainable, Regenerative, Permaculture: What are the differences?

“Sustainable,” “regenerative,” and “permaculture” are terms often used in the context of environmentally conscious practices, but they have distinct meanings. Let’s explore the differences:

• Sustainability is about maintaining balance over the long term.
• Regenerative practices focus on actively restoring and improving ecosystems.
• Permaculture is a holistic design philosophy that incorporates sustainable and regenerative principles to create self-sustaining and harmonious systems.

While these terms have distinct meanings, they often overlap, and practitioners may incorporate elements of each in their efforts to live in harmony with the environment. Choosing the right approach may depend on the specific goals and context of the initiative or project.

Soil Regeneration and Permaculture

I saw a clip from Common Ground Film which said a new study just confirmed that more than half of earth’s species live in soil. This makes it the single most biodiverse habitat on earth. If we think of the consequences of deforestation and industrial agricultural practices alone, the loss of biodiversity goes way up! It is also important to recognize that plants can’t get their nutrients without bacteria and fungi being present in the soil.

The Global Soil Erosion Atlas, published by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, estimated that about 24 billion tons of fertile soil are lost globally each year due to water erosion.

Soil degradation is caused by:

• Deforestation
• Pollution/chemicals
• Poor farming practices
• Human disconnection

How to stop soil erosion

Because permaculture follows patterns found in nature, it naturally builds soil and biodiversity.

Practices such as contour plowing, cover cropping, permaculture forests, supporting soil life (bacteria, fungus, insects, worms), and the use of windbreaks, are implemented to reduce soil erosion and enhance soil health.

Education about why soil is important and implementing conservation practices can help reverse soil loss.

Permaculture and Biodiversity

In permaculture, there is an understanding that there is a global threat to earth & many life systems.

If we remember from above half of the earth’s species live in soil and it is the single most biodiverse habitat on earth, conserving it would be a big step in creating biodiversity.

That also goes to show how far the food chain goes! Below is an image found in Matt Powers Regenerative Soil course which shows the diverse life in the soil food web.

5 Permaculture Projects That You Should Follow

Feuilles de Vie – A real-life example of a permaculture garden / forest

Weedy Garden – A sustainable garden in Australia

Geoff Lawton – Greening the Desert project

Matt Powers – Online Permaculture Course

Andrew Millison – Earth Repair Radio

Permaculture is more than a gardening technique; it’s a philosophy that guides us towards a more sustainable and regenerative way of living. By adopting these principles, we can create spaces that not only meet our needs but also contribute positively to the health of the planet. Whether you have a small backyard or a larger piece of land, permaculture principles can be applied to create a more sustainable and harmonious existence with nature. Embrace the principles of permaculture, and embark on a journey towards a more ecologically conscious and interconnected life.

Frequently Asked Questions