12 Permaculture Principles That You Should Know!

Someone has rightly said, “A garden is a reflection of its gardener’s soul.”

So, if you are here, I am sure you are a “GREEN” enthusiast! 

Either you have your own garden & want to revamp your landscape aesthetically or you are planning to create one. 

So, here are 12 thinking tools that can help you design your own permaculture landscape or re-design it creatively.

And not just that!

If you are a nature lover like me you will love these 12 permaculture principles!

WHY?

Because you will not only end up using less energy & gardening resources but also promote healthy biodiversity & environment. 

So, Check Out The 12 Permaculture Principles Right Here!

Observe & Interact

Did you know that tracking weather conditions, sunlight availability, & observing the existing plants can help you create the best “nature-resembling” garden?

So, observe nature first with a contemplative & analytical mindset to learn about the natural patterns, dynamics & flows beforehand. 

Catch & Store Energy

You know what, the only thing that my backyard permaculture garden design lacks is a solar panel!

Photovoltaic or solar panels can effectively capture, store, & reuse solar energies for better garden yield. 

So, it is important that you harness natural resources efficiently so that you can utilize them in times of need. 

Obtain a Yield

One of these permaculture principles inspires you to aim for meaningful returns by conducting prolific projects.

So, I suggest you cultivate your own permaculture garden that will provide you with highly profitable produce. After all, fresh garden yields are in high market demand.

Apply Self-Regulation & Feedback

Did you know that “Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable.”?

So, make sure you analyze & evaluate all your belongings & actions. Only it can help you to make informed decisions in the future. Also, you can come up with unique ways to reduce waste, reuse & recycle your resources, & regulate your consumerist activities.

Let me share a few tips to preserve the natural resources easily. 

• Practice techniques to conserve water at home & the garden like using rainwater, turning off the tap, mulching your garden, etc.
• Track the consumption of natural gardening resources.
• Adjust your habits so that you can cut down on over-expenses & resource wastage.
• Find out alternative ways to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources. 

Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services

“The use of alternative energy is inevitable as fossil fuels are finite.”

We solely depend on non-renewable energy resources such as wind, sun, & water to sustain ourselves. And, there is no doubt about that.

But for how long?

Unless we preserve them & find alternative resources, how will we survive in the future?

The only solution is to utilize renewable energy sources, says one of the permaculture principles.

Here are a few ideas for that:

• Using bio-fuels
• Investing in renewable infrastructure
• Utilizing hydroelectric or wind power, etc.

Produce Zero Waste

Do you know what my hobby is?

Well, I love to reuse & recycle scrap materials that people discard otherwise. Let me share how.

So, I compost the kitchen & garden scraps to use as organic fertilizer. Also, I use old bottles & glasses as plant pots.

The reason I am sharing this with you is because you should value your resources & never waste them. 

Design From Patterns to Details

Are you from an urban area?

Do you observe & analyze the street layouts, public spaces, traffic patterns, or social behavior?

You should if you want to experience a functional environment existing in utmost harmony, according to the permaculture principles.

Similarly, before you design the layout of your permaculture landscape, try to analyze the natural as well as societal patterns. Only then, you can create that perfect permaculture design with all those intricate detailings existing in nature itself. 

Integrate: Don’t Segregate

Did you know what’s the best part of nature?

It fosters a healthy relationship between various existing species!

So, as a human being, we should support this cohesive system & support each other to grow each day.

Try to integrate this approach even in your garden. Let me tell you what I do.

I prefer planting chives & carrots together because they support each other’s growth. Also, the rhizobium bacteria exchange a symbiotic relationship with legume crops such as beans, peas, chickpeas, soybeans, etc. To your surprise, it organically boosts soil fertility & naturally controls pest infestations. 

Use Small & Slow Solutions

Remember “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

If you want to build a large-scale permaculture garden, start by investing in small systems, according to permaculture principles. Also, make sure they are sustainable, utilize the resources most effectively, & easy to maintain. 

I suggest that you use organic fertilizers instead of synthetic ones for enhanced soil health & replenishment of lost nutrients. 

Use & Value Diversity

There is no greater teacher than nature itself & it always teaches us to value diversity. Specifically, a diverse ecosystem is always less vulnerable to threats. 

After all, “Uniformity is not nature’s way; diversity is nature’s way.”

So, connect with your community members, and adopt diverse perspectives & skill sets to thrive in a dynamic environment.

Use Edges & Value The Marginal

Nature doesn’t encourage wastage; rather it inspires us to utilize even the tiniest resource that we have!

So, make sure that understand the true importance of your landscape borders. Simply speaking, grow food plants even in the neglected corners to promote biodiversity & natural habitat for thousands of wildlife species.   

Creatively Use & Respond To Change

Always remember to observe everything carefully so that you can recognize even the minute change in nature. Also, be ready to welcome the changes & adopt them gradually for a positive outcome in this dynamic world. 

I suggest you track market changes & customers’ preferences to make small modifications in your gardening practices for better sustainability.

3 Core Ethics Supporting The Permaculture Principles

The ethics when combined together can help you make the right decisions & work on the design process effectively. 

Earth Care

“Earth breathes in us.”

So, taking care of the earth should be our top priority. 

By utilizing the land & water resources effectively and taking care of the soil, you can help the earth.

People Care

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”

This particular ethic highlights the power of human compassion & how mankind can prosper with unity.

So, work with your community members and fulfill the responsibilities to yourself, your community, animal species, and nature together. 

Fair Share

“Take only what you need, the rest is only a Burden.”

So, don’t forget to set limits to your aspirations & learn to share.

Nature is abundant with resources to use & consume. So, use them wisely, share if you have a surplus, and distribute them instead of wasting them.

These ethics are not only applicable to nature but also to every aspect of human life!

Implement These Permaculture Principles & Transform Your Garden Landscape!

“To plant a garden is to dream of tomorrow.”

And these 12 permaculture principles inspire just this; ‘A better tomorrow!”

In simple words, you should apply these universal principles to your personal, social, economic, & political lives for a better outcome. 

David Holmgren originated the term “permaculture” & fostered the concept of creating a systematic & patterned landscape resembling nature. So, following these principles can help you create a well-designed garden that mimics the natural patterns sustainably. 

Nature is beautiful in its own way!

So, try to preserve all the natural resources so that the future world becomes a better place to sustain. Also, apply these permaculture principles to make your permaculture food forest a healthy habitat for diverse species. After all, “Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.” 

Frequently Asked Questions about Permaculture Principles