Permaculture Principles
Here’s a summary of each of the 12 permaculture principles, which guide the design of permaculture systems, big or small:
1 – Observe & Interact
Permaculture mimics the diversity and efficiency of our natural ecosystems. So by taking the time to engage with & observe nature in our environment we can often discover insights into how best to design our garden – whether it be a rural farmstead or an urban garden.
2 – Catch & Store Energy
By developing systems that collect resources such as water, animal manure, household vegetable scraps, or even solar power, we can store & use them in times of need. Ways to catch & store energy might include compost bins, water butts or DIY leaf mould bins.
3 – Obtain a Yield
Is your permaculture garden generating useful rewards, or yields, for the work you’re doing? Are the systems put in place producing sufficient benefits? Permaculture techniques such as companion planting, inter cropping and mulching are all useful techniques that can help produce a garden that is both productive and sustainable.
4 – Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback
This principle encourages us to be open to & reflect upon the consequences of our actions (and realign them, where necessary), as well as accept & consider feedback & criticism. By keeping an open mind, we’re free to adapt & improve our permaculture spaces in line with our & nature’s needs.
5 – Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services
Make the best and appropriate use of nature’s natural resources to reduce waste, over consumption & dependence on non-renewable resources.
6 – Produce No Waste
Permaculture encourages us to seek solutions that work in harmony with nature. So instead of seeing waste, value & re-use resources such as rainwater, old timber, compostable food waste or chicken poo! This is known as ‘closed loops’, where waste from one element becomes a resource for another, helping to produce a sustainable environment that is both productive & environmentally friendly.
7 – Design from Patterns to Details
By taking a step back, we can often observe basic physical patterns in nature, such as waves of light or water, the branches of trees or the spirals of whirpools. These natural patterns can often form the backbone of our permaculture gardening designs. One example might be to utilise the pattern of a spiral in a herb garden, with herbs & edible flowers dotted in different positions, depending on light & water needs.
8 – Integrate Rather than Segregate
When parts of a whole work together, things flow better & become more productive. Permaculture encourages us to look for ways to connect all parts of a garden so they develop relationships that are supportive. One method might be a fruit tree guild. Another might be intercropping.
9 – Use Small & Slow Solutions
As the proverb says ‘slow & steady wins the race’. Permaculture encourages the use of small scale natural systems or solutions that are easy to maintain, make use of local resources and produce sustainable outcomes. Techniques such as no-till planting, natural pest control or rainwater harvesting can all be used to create a garden that requires minimal maintenance and is eco friendly.
10 – Use and Value Diversity
The goal of permaculture is to create a food habitat that is self-sufficient and self-sustaining. To achieve this, permaculture gardens, or food forests, incorporate a diverse array of plants and animals into their design. These plants and animals interact in mutually beneficial ways, creating a natural habitat that is productive and sustainable.
11 – Use Edges and Value the Marginal
The edges of a garden or land area are often the most productive and diverse areas. In permaculture gardening, the goal is to maximize these areas to create a garden that is both productive and diverse. By incorporating a range of plants and animals into the edges of a garden, permaculture gardeners can create a thriving and sustainable ecosystem.
12 – Creatively Use and Respond to Change
Change is inevitable. But by carefully observing & interacting in our environment, we can intervene in a creative & positive way at the right time.