What is Permaculture? How to Do It?

Lately, we have been hearing the term permaculture more frequently. Interest in permaculture has been increasing especially in recent years. We may claim that one of the main reasons for this increasing interest is a collective desire to ‘return to nature.’

Covid-19 pandemic which descended over us like a nightmare in 2020 has especially hit people living in metropolises like a ton of bricks. It brought to light physical and spiritual challenges which arose with the separation from nature. People who do not have an open space where they live have faced many difficulties during quarantine periods.

Thus, permaculture approach has become quite popular in this period. We realized that the natural life we long for can be achieved with permaculture, especially in the cities. Even if we cannot move away from the city, we became more productive by establishing market gardens in cities or by applying permaculture principles in the gardens we have, regardless of their size; in short, we brought natural life into the city!

So, what is permaculture, and how to do it? Let us explore together!

What is Permaculture?

As our planet’s resources are rapidly consumed away, permaculture, which focuses on the degraded human-nature relation, has been created by bringing together the words ‘permanent’ and ‘agriculture.’ Permaculture aims to create easy to maintain, consistent and self-sufficient production sites by bringing together plants, animals, and humans in nature.

Considering the fact that permaculture is a model based on imitating the properties observed in natural ecosystems, the design model inspired by nature is also very closely related with biomimicry. In other words, permaculture is much more than a phenomenon related to agriculture; it includes many concepts such as lifestyle, sustainable agriculture, architecture, ecologic design, engineering, and resource management.

In the simplest terms, it is a design system which is designed according to the principles of nature and sustainability philosophy, and which aims to create sustainable human settlements. Permaculture consists of consciously designing agricultural systems, and biodiversity is the balance and consistency of ecosystems, which are indispensable for permaculture. Permaculture is a design and agriculture approach that makes the design and maintenance of natural ecosystems suitable for human settlements while also promoting sustainable use of earth, water, and biological diversity.

In short, permaculture means to redesign the natural functions of our life while continuing to benefit from the blessing of the modern world. Contrary to the approaches acting against nature, it involves acting together with nature, not despite nature. For more information about permaculture, check out Permaculture Association or Permaculture Association.

Short History of Permaculture

The foundation of the concept of permaculture has been laid down in 1970s by Australian Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. The emergence of this concept in the 1970s is not a coincidence. It has been developed as a reaction to environmental pollution due to wrong agriculture applications and economic system, and the extinction of flora and fauna species. The aim was to build a new life approach by using information about all kinds of systems existing in nature.

Mollison and Holmgren started seeking out an alternative agriculture and life model after observing that the conventional agricultural methods used in that period were causing environmental destruction and inefficiency. As a result of these pursuits, they developed the main principles of permaculture.

Permaculture adopts an approach that integrates earth, water, flora, and fauna systems through a circular design approach by taking the functioning of natural ecosystems as an example. This approach is not only an agricultural technique, but also a key component of a philosophy of life and sustainability movement. Permaculture is a system that includes many disciplines such as botany, biology, agriculture, gardening, geography, anthropology, architecture, economy, finance, energy, etc. The aim is to create ecologically healthy and economically applicable systems in the long term that provides for needs in cities and villages without exploiting and polluting the environment. By making use of even the smallest space possible, it brings together the characteristics of lands and structures with the natural properties of flora and fauna.

The philosophy of permaculture emphasizes humans being in cooperation with the ecosystems in order to live in harmony with nature, thus aiming to use natural resources in an efficient and sustainable manner. Therefore, popularization and application of permaculture are of great significance for both protecting the environment and increasing human welfare.

How to Do Permaculture?

In the frame of principles of caring for nature, caring for people, and limiting population and consumption which were determined by Bill Mollison, we can list the priorities of permaculture approach as follows:

1. Acting together with nature: Providing the conditions necessary for the continuation and proliferation of all life systems, whether organic or inorganic. Using energy, the interaction between different nature systems. Observing beneficial relations between varied species. Enabling integration of humans with nature just as in the co-existence of different flora and fauna species.

2. Limiting consumption: Gaining savings from resources - time, money, and energy - by managing our individual needs. Establishing a small-scale and self-sufficient system.

3. Observing nature: Connecting with animals, nature, plants, seasons, and everything around. Observing the flow direction of water, the growth rate of a seedling, the slope of earth and weather temperature. Considering nature as a laboratory. Establishing the most ideal system using data and measurements. Starting off the design with the patterns found in nature. Getting inspired by observing the models in nature.
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4. Using energy efficiently: Storing, efficiently using, and transforming energy. Putting emphasis on using renewable energy resources.

5. Enabling waste management: Taking particular care to generate minimum waste and recycling generated waste. For example, composting food waste and staying away from disposable plastics.

What is Permaculture’s Daily Life Equivalent?

We have already mentioned that permaculture is a holistic philosophy. So how does this work in practice? Permaculture applications can be done even in the city life imprisoned in concrete. For example, can you carry out permaculture applications if you do not have a space where you can do planting? Sure!

1. First of all, you can start composting in your home now! As a frequently used method in sustainable agriculture applications, composting is one of the permaculture techniques. We can summarize composting method as the degradation of organic waste by microscopic organisms at the biochemical level. In this way, you can both reduce food waste and produce fertilizer. Thus, you can feel the satisfaction of making a great individual contribution to the world!

2. You can collect rainwater. You can collect rainwater even in the garden of your apartment building and use this to water your garden, thus contributing to the correct and recycled use of resources.

3. You create market gardens in the city and use small lands for cultivation. You can cultivate crops which balance each other for the quality of soil and crop yield. You can cultivate legumes rich in nitrogen to improve the quality of your soil.

4. You can ensure the continuity of biodiversity; you can simultaneously make plant and animal production. For example, you can plant flowers that feed the bees on the roadsides. You can remind yourself that respecting the soil is essential by not using pesticides.

5. You can try to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources.

6. You can design or initiate the design of ecological buildings that recycle waste.

In short, it is possible to realize the philosophy of permaculture even in urban life by starting out with small steps and the total of these steps can create a significant impact for a more sustainable future.

What are the Benefits of Permaculture?

Applying permaculture techniques is to think of a space as a stand-alone ecosystem. It is to deal with land in a holistic manner, from the planted seeds to raised animals and installed waste system.

And why are we thinking of a land as an ecosystem? Because the key to permaculture is “self-sufficiency.” That is why a complementary, holistic approach is indispensable for permaculture. Let us say you have a small land; instead of cultivating only cucumbers here, you can plant different plants which feed, support and complement each other. Thus, you would be increasing soil quality and yield. Moreover, you would be contributing to biodiversity!

Benefits of permaculture can be listed as follows: Less water consumption, less costs, less waste, self-sufficiency, and easy applicability.

Increasing Importance of Permaculture

There are many prominent permaculture farms in our country. Especially in Istanbul in the post-pandemic period, many permaculture applications are being carried out, from rainwater collection to composting. So, why is permaculture important?

Permaculture ensures efficient use and protection of natural resources, thus helping to leave a productive and healthy environment to the next generations. Permaculture also improves communities’ skills to cultivate their own food and ensures food security. It helps to protect ecological balance and people living in harmony with nature by promoting a lifestyle that is harmonious with the natural cycles. Therefore, permaculture has a critical role in building a world that is resistant to changing climate and resource pressure not only today, but also in future.

Moreover, farms that produce products based on permaculture principles provide various opportunities for voluntourism. In these farms, volunteers actively participate in activities such as tree trimming, installation of irrigation systems, field preparation, fence repair, hoeing, animal care, vinegar making, thus find opportunities to experience a lifestyle that is in touch with nature. These experiences not only provide a chance for individuals to learn and implement permaculture principles, but they also promote solidarity and information sharing between communities, thus contribute to taking efficient steps towards a sustainable future.