Ystradgynlais & District
Transition Town

Permaculture Appalled at the gradual poisoning, pollution and destruction of the Earth, its flora and fauna, in the mid 70s, two Australian ecologists, Bill Mollison and David Holmgren began to develop methods to create stable agricultural systems. These culminated in their book, 'Permaculture One' in 1978. Gradually Permaculture developed from being primarily about the design of agricultural systems to becoming a much wider, all-encompassing, lifestyle. A name was needed for this system and it was formed from a contraction of 'Permanent Agriculture', which also came to represent the words 'Permanent Culture'.

The mid-80s onwards saw Mollison's and Holmgren's original visions and teachings expand, with the training of many students and the setting up of Permaculture groups, projects and associations to become an increasingly worldwide phenomenon.

There are probably as many definitions of the meaning of 'Permaculture' as there are practitioners of it, but perhaps the most commonly used is: 'The design and creation of sustainable habitats'. Unlike all other methods of farming and gardening, Permaculture is based on actually designing a plan, based on detailed observation.

The system is based on three important ethics, those of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Shares, while the major ethical decision to be taken by any would-be permaculturist is to take responsibility for our own existence and for that of our children.

'Earth Care' encompasses the need to care for what still remains of natural eco-systems, to regenerate areas destroyed by humankind, and to create havens for species, both animal and plant, which are in danger of extinction from our actions. The need to co-operate with nature is stressed, and to provide for all life systems, which should be seen as having intrinsic value, regardless of whether they are 'useful' to humankind or not. Anthropocentrism may be discouraged and human beings seen as part of the 'web of life'.

'People Care' shows that designs must, nevertheless, meet the needs of human beings, while 'Fair Shares' stresses that all people should have their needs met, within the physical limits of the Earth. Limits are suggested to population and consumption, rather than the present situation in which the 'needs' of the Developed World, if taken up by the Developing Nations would require a planet three and a half times the size of the one we have!

The solution to this apparently insoluble problem is to create eco-systems that will provide high yield, while not exhausting the soil, and which will also allow people to survive on as small an area of land as possible, leaving the rest as wilderness.

In addition to the Ethics of Permaculture there are many Principles too, such as: 'There are no problems, only solutions!' 'Work with rather than against nature', and others too numerous to quote here. But all are based on common sense, and are meant to act as a guide to the thoughts and intentions of the Permaculturist. Perhaps the most important one to bear in mind is 'Nature Works!' The design should allow nature to do as much of the work as possible. Why dig mulch in when worms will do the job for you? Why try to position an acid-loving plant in an alkaline soil, when appropriate positioning of plants will ensure no need to add materials to adjust the pH? Why take plant prunings, dead leaves and grass cuttings to the tip, when they can be used to make your own compost?

Careful observation of the land and analysis of ones findings are essential to the design process. It is suggested that such observation should ideally continue for four seasons, so the designer knows the land in all its phases. It's essential to be aware of the wind directions, which parts receive the most sun, which are shaded and by what, the type and Ph of the soil, areas which retain moisture and which dry out quickly, any present or potential water on site – the list is endless. But with such information available, the design can then proceed with the greatest likelihood of success.

The first step in the design process is to measure and map the area, marking compass points, existing trees and other plants, fences and walls, and other windbreaks, water sources, existing 'hard landscaping' and so on. Overlays can then be used to add the design features, until a complete picture is drawn up.

An important design feature is the consideration of zoning. There are 6 zones, starting at zone 0, the house, which requires the greatest input of time and energy, through zone 1, containing annuals, herbs and any high use activities, to the final zone 5, which is wilderness, requiring little or no input of time or energy, other than to harvest whatever is abundant. The purpose of these zones is to conserve ones energy, and make best use of the planting. Is it likely, for example, that one will make much use of herbs, if one has to walk to the furthest point of land whenever one needs a bouquet garni? No – site the herbs as near as possible to the kitchen (or even in it!) Like so much of Permaculture - just common sense.

Another way of making the best use of the land is to consider the layers of plants – from the high canopy of mature trees, down to the ground and underground levels, and even to those plants which are climbers. Yet another is the concept of cycling – wastes can become resources, as in the use of non-edible plant material for compost. One should import as little as possible from outside and export as little as possible from the land, aiming to become as self-sufficient as possible.

From this necessarily very brief introduction to the history and some of the principles of Permaculture Design, it can be seen just how fascinating and thought-provoking it can be. If this has whetted your appetite and you would like to learn more, go to www.permaculture.org.uk, buy some of the interesting books obtainable from Permanent Publications or, best of all, enrol on a course and become an expert!