How To Create A Backyard Permaculture Garden: A Comprehensive Guide

Do you want to save your daily costs to some extent?

Then I have a solution for you!

So, do you want to want to produce your own food? If yes, then let me tell you just producing your favorite veggies & fruits, you can save up to 25% of your daily costs. 

But before that, let me ask you do you have a few acres of land in the backyard of your home? Then, you are all set!

In this backyard permaculture​ guide, you will learn how to grow your preferred plants in your backyard. 

Don’t worry!

Even if you do not know anything about permaculture, you will find every single detail about it right here. So, let’s learn about the ethics, principles & preparatory stages, steps, & some tips about backyard permaculture gardening. 

Consider The 3 Permacultural Ethics!

If you are a nature lover like me, you will absolutely love these. Specifically, all these promote mutual love & support between human beings & the other natural components. 

• First of all, backyard permaculture practices aim to make human lifestyles better.
• A true permaculturalist always shares a special bond with nature & works for its betterment.
• The third one is a bit philosophical but true to its sense. You should be happy with what you have. Do not aspire for more that is not really necessary. 

Do Not Forget The 12 Principles of Permaculture

Knowing these principles is important because only then you will have a clear idea of how permaculture works. 

1. Observe your garden throughout the year & make necessary changes to your strategic design depending on the climatic or natural changes. 
2. Learn how to tap into the natural energies prevailing everywhere & store them by recycling or reusing them.
3. Decide what you want before you start gardening.
4. Opt for organic gardening methods & be true to yourself. 
5. Try to preserve natural resources & use renewable resources instead of non-renewable ones.
6. Avoid resource wastage & utilize gardening resources effectively.
7. Focus on the details to create that perfect backyard permaculture garden.
8. Work collaboratively & try out different gardening techniques. The “trial & error” process is the right approach for this.
9. Take small steps at a time & start planting one or two plants initially. Observe their growth & find out what works best for them.
10. Plant diverse crops for maximum productivity.
11. Utilize every single gardening resource that you have in the most efficient manner.
12. Be creative when it comes to garden design. However, be ready to welcome environmental “change” & design modification.

6 Preparatory Steps for Your Backyard Permaculture Garden

Now, it is time to get yourself prepared for creating the garden.

“Wait & Observe…”

• Observe the natural existing ecosystem carefully.
• Find out how you can create your own productive system mimicking it.
• Wait for a year & analyze how your plants react to certain weather & environmental changes. 

Usually, I plant 4 to 5 plants initially, observe their growth for the next 6 months, & then plant other seedlings.

Consider “The Future of Energy”

I always prioritize managing my gardening resources even before I chalk out my garden design. 

Find out the natural resources nearby.

• Set up a composter.
• Be prepared to store rainwater in buckets & containers.
• Take every possible step to minimize your resource waste.

Always remember one thing, “Sustainable Energy is Essential for Sustainable Development.”

Choose “Plants You’ll Love”

• Consider the size of your backyard permaculture garden, climate, & soil quality.
• Select the species that you want to grow.
• Plant diverse species for healthy growth

I love peas & carrots. So, I usually plant these. Apart from these two, I also plant cucumber, black beans, spinach, etc.

Analyze & Evaluate Production Rate

• Aim to create a low-maintenance productive system.
• Plant only those trees that don’t require regular maintenance or a lot of gardening resources.
• Track your plants’ growth at specific garden zones.
• Change those parts of your design with low productivity.
• Do not try to follow someone else’s steps. Do what suits you the best!

Now, let me share a secret with you!

I hate lawn mowing once every week. So, I plant clover, mint, & thyme. Not only do they enhance the taste of my dishes, but also, they also grow low to the soil surface. 

Don’t Mind Running With Turtles

Remember, who ultimately won the race? Yes, the turtle.

• So, put in your efforts consistently & be steady with your gardening approach.
• Start small & find natural & not-so-expensive gardening solutions.
• If you want bigger yields with high market value, do not be afraid of planting trees like nuts. 

When I first decided to create my own garden, I only planted 3 plants. One was a mint tree, and the other two included beans & thyme. 

But, I took a daring decision back at that time.

I planted teak trees. They require fewer resources & not only do they need less maintenance but also sell at good market rates. Today, I sell my teak trees at great profits. 

However, do not forget to enjoy your creation. You can consume your favorite veggies or sell them at the local markets. Also, enjoy the fresh fruits grown in your backyard permaculture garden. 

6 Popular Backyard Permaculture Garden Design Ideas

Container Garden

Do you love to enjoy sipping your morning coffee on the balcony?

Then, decorate it with fresh veggies or herbs like tomatoes or basil trees grown in containers. Trust me, they can make healthy salads for you!

Small Kitchen Garden

Your backyard can be the perfect space for your small kitchen garden!

Not only you will get a consistent veggie supply throughout summer, but they will also save money & demand low maintenance. 

So, what are you waiting for? Plant your favorite veggies in the backyard now!

Herb Spiral Backyard Permaculture

Opt for a spiral pattern while planting your favorite spices or herbs. This way, you can accommodate more herbs & spices into a small space.

If you ask me, I usually grow plants like basil, spinach, clover, etc. I particularly love the spiral pattern because it looks splendid & organized.

Main Crop Garden

If you have planted trees that provide you with seasonal or annual yield, then it’s your main crop garden. However, it is a time taking process; so have patience. Some trees might take up to 20 years to offer yield. 

As you already know I have teak trees in the backyard & they provide me with a profitable yield. However, you can plant squash, potatoes, peas, & dried beans, etc. 

Large Kitchen Backyard Permaculture

If you have a larger space in the backyard, plan a bigger garden. So, divide your land into several zones & plant veggies, fruits, herbs, & species in different areas of your backyard land. 

I have planted beans & cucumbers in one part of my land & in other parts, I have planted thymes & tomatoes. Specifically, grow specific herbs in the winter for tea making & other health benefits. 

Forest Garden

Do you love forests?

What if you can grow your own forest in the backyard?

This gardening process includes growing cover plants, vines, & veggies respectively. Specifically, the plant layer mimics the natural forest patterns. 

6 Tips For The Best Backyard Permaculture Garden

No-Tilling

Tilling might harm the soil structure. So, opt for no-tilling gardening methods. For example, prepare a fertile garden bed by layering cardboard, or grass & leave clippings. 

Grow Perennials

Grow diverse plants that provide you with frequent yields such as chives, garlic, kale, etc. This way, it will maintain a healthy balance in the garden ecosystem. 

Plant Methodically

Now, I am going to share those tips that helped my plants grow in a healthy way.

• Build your kitchen garden in the nearest land area in your backyard which you visit often. 
• Remove the weeds as much as you can.
• Cover the soil surface with them to boost fertility.
• Plant the taller plants at the back & the shorter ones at the forefront. This way, they can thrive under the shades of the taller ones.
• Provide your plants with enough space to grow.
• Plant herbs, alliums, & colorful flowers together for natural pest control as their strong smell & colors can drive them away. 
• Opt for polyculture by planting the same species in different rows here & there instead of single rows. 

Here is another quick tip for you!

I plant thymes, basil, carrots, & tomatoes close to my house. Because I often need them. 

Mulch

Mulch the soil’s top layer with fallen leaves, twigs, bark, grasses, husks, woodchips, etc. for protection against insects, pests, & microorganisms. And trust me, mulching is great for maintaining the soil’s humidity & moisture levels consistently for effective backyard permaculture. 

Use What You Have

Make use of everything that you have. For example, I use spare wood pieces, bottles, & cans as reusable planters. Also, I often use toilet paper rolls & newspapers to cover the surfaces of planting pots. 

Don’t Aim for More Than You Can Handle

Do not expect more!

Be happy with your yield & do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides in the hope of more production. Every land has its own history & capabilities to produce a definite amount of plant production. So, enjoy your authentic efforts & the results. 

I was overjoyed to see the first tomato that I grew in my backyard! And trust me, it tasted even better than the regular market-bought tomatoes!

Ready to Start Creating Your Backyard Permaculture Garden?

Prepare The Garden Bed

• Dig in the soil 8 to 10 inches deeper. You can also make the bed 12 inches deep.
• Remove the excess soil from the walking path.
• Spread thick layers of old newspapers at the bottom of the garden bed. 

Arrange for Organic Manure

• If you have dairy farms nearby, ask for the livestock manure.
• Or you can create your own organic fertilizer by decomposing leaves, grasses, etc.

Get Your Materials

You might need a lot of gardening components. For example:

• Grass clippings, weeds, leaves, straws, hay, & wood chips for mulching.
• Make organic fertilizer by combining manure & kitchen scraps. 
• Spread the compost layers over the garden beds.

Plant Your Veggies

Now comes the most vital part!

The planting method will determine the final outcome. So,

• Soak in cardboard or newspapers in water.
• Plant the seeds or seedlings into the soil.
• Cover the garden bed with wet newspaper & cardboard layer.
• Overlap the papers to prevent weed growth.
• Finally, spread a layer of straw, mulched leaves, or wood chips. 

3 Planting Systems to Try Out

There are 3 planting methods that you can try out!

Single Crop

You can grow one plant in each single row.

Polyculture

Also, try to grow different plant species together in one productive space. 

Mixed Culture

This is my favorite & every time I got good results.

I mix up these two planting methods. In some parts, I grow beans or peas in single rows. And, in other parts, I plant beans, peas, basils, spinach, tomatoes, & thyme together in parallel rows. 

Enjoy Your Freshly Farmed Backyard Permaculture Garden!

Now tell me, what do you think about having your own permaculture garden in the backyard?

Thrilling & exciting, right?

Well, having such a garden is relatively easier. Because, you do not need to invest in artificial pesticides, fertilizers, or weedicides. 

But, do you know what’s the best part?

You do not need to put in much effort to maintain the plants. Also, garden debris is a safe house for thousands of beneficial insects. 

So, just remember to utilize the sunlight & rainwater effectively & feed the soil a healthy organic mixture of manure & green compost. 

That’s it!

The more you will love nature, the more love you will get in return.

So,  you are ready to enjoy your own productive backyard permaculture​ landscape. Aren’t you? Comment down below. 

Frequently Asked Questions