Permaculture gardening is perfect for those who prefer to grow fruits and vegetables in an eco-friendly system, characterized by balanced interconnection between people, plants, animals and soil. The criteria of permaculture let you create a back yard that is referring to organic processes, providing a plentiful and healthy harvest. It takes into account the necessity of humans, the agrarian ecosystem and the weather conditions.
Almost all countries have organizations that promote permaculture: look for thematic communities in Sweden, the UK, the USA. It is often possible to come to permaculture specialists for practice and see how everything is arranged in their farm.
Everything that lives in the permaculture environment should bring benefits to something else in this environment needs in order for the garden to become an endless circle of life. This is similar to organic gardening in many aspects, but in permaculture the emphasis is more on building and maintaining a full-fledged ecosystem. There are three main principles of permaculture meaning and ethics:
- Take Care of the Planet;
- Take care of people;
- Accept only fair portion of the harvest, giving away the surplus.
How to create a permaculture garden?
- explore the neighboring;
- study the countryside, illumination, soil type and water flow in the garden;
- study the vegetation that are already growing in it and see how they fit into the planned plantings.
Ideal places for growing most edible plants and especially vegetables are those areas where the sun shines for 6-8 hours during the day.
Practice cultivating plants that appeal to profitable insects, repel pests and naturally nourish the soil with beneficial trace elements. Start growing flowers that help to draw attention to butterflies. Saving resources in the construction and maintenance of a permaculture garden is very important, especially the economical use of water. For example, hilly beds are able to retain and accumulate rainwater in the hollows, and at the highest points provide a heat-loving plant with sunlight. Chemicals, as you have already understood, are not used, instead of them, natural liquidators – chickens roam the garden.