The specific term permaculture was coined by Bill Mollison in the 1970s and literally means “permanent agriculture.” It refers to the constant cycling that happens in this type of garden throughout the seasons. The technique is similar to lasagna gardening in that permaculture gardens are, for the most part, self-sustaining. They don’t require much labor from your end and instead thrive on natural forces like the sun, wind, and water. Their diversity of native plants and reliance on natural fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides is what differentiates them from your typical backyard garden or farm. Given the threat of climate change, these gardens will only become more essential in the future. Angelo Randaci, a master gardener and horticulture expert at Earth’s Ally, tells mbg the basic philosophy of permaculture gardening is care, care for the earth and for people, with a focus on how they come together. In other words, you’ll give a little and gain a lot with this technique. Below, Randaci breaks down these principles, their significance to the process, and how they can be applied to life beyond gardening: “We can see what we have to work with and think about the best ways to interact [with it]. It teaches us patience, which we need to acquire in the garden as well as our daily life,” he adds. “Growing our own food captures energy from the sun and reduces the energy expenditure of fossil fuels to truck food into our stores,” he gives mbg as an example. Besides the end result of food for the table, Randaci says that the yields of this technique can also be spiritual and beneficial to one’s overall well-being. Identifying what you are trying to accomplish before working out the details is also a practice that can be applied to our daily lives. “Putting plants together that harmonize rather than fight each other spills into our daily lives,” he tells mbg. “It teaches us to work together.” “This [virtue] teaches us to observe more closely the areas in our garden and around our property,” Randaci says. By doing so, he adds, you’ll become more accustomed to your environment and learn how to utilize each individual part of it more efficiently. They promote biodiversity, utilize organic principles, and contribute to the environment in a natural, holistic fashion. Once your garden is designed and your seeds have been planted, the rest is really up to nature. Here’s how to get the planning process started: You want to make sure you’ve identified any areas with special features such as low areas, slopes, or other natural contours of the land, too. “For instance, if you want to grow tomatoes in a designated rectangle area, figure out how many plants you will need. Figure out the spacing. If you are going to stake the plants, they will take up less room than if you let them sprawl on the ground.” You can also conserve space by practicing vertical gardening, he adds. “Vines such as grapes and other plants will grow on trellises, walls, and fences.” If you are the type of person who needs to physically see the spaces, he says you can use flags to mark where you want to place your plants during this step. However, there are some things to consider when deciding which method will be best for your garden: “A lot of new gardeners put disproportionate effort into water, soil, and fertilizers yet ultimately end up losing crops to pests.” “Plant a mixed group of plants by utilizing a variety of plants; herbs, veggies, annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs,” Randaci tells mbg. “Certain plants help repel pests; others are nitrogen-fixing and will actually take nitrogen from the air and turn it into a form that can be utilized by the plants.” “Acknowledge your position within the natural ecosystem, and reject the idea that we’re separate from, or above, nature,” she adds. “In that spirit, permaculture enthusiasts should strive to live true to those principles outside of the garden, too: Reuse and share resources, integrate with your local community, and above all, work with nature, not against it.” “It can be discouraging to start a new garden and get overwhelmed the first season or two, but it’s so rewarding to have the land give back the positive energy and time you’ve invested,” she says. “Allow your garden to grow with your time, experience, and budget. You can learn from the soil and crop along the way by listening to nature and improving your skills.” “It provides so many ideas that are accessible and require minimal financial investment. Readers will learn the basics of gardening and how to minimize their carbon footprint—all while embarking on a new hobby that can be shared with neighbors, family, and friends,” Danner says. Additionally, Danner recommends Teaming With Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis as it breaks down the seemingly complex science of permaculture gardening and makes it fun and digestible. “It provides ideas for improving your garden and its output in attainable ways. It also covers the microorganisms, fungi, bacteria, and companion crops that make your soil teem with life,” Danner says.
