RICHMOND COUNTY — As spring approaches, many people are thinking about their gardens: what went well last year, remembering any problems that cropped up, and considering changes they want to make. For people who have recently moved or are perhaps planning a total revamp of an existing garden, it’s an exciting time when everything about the landscape could be on the table. It’s a great opportunity to consider incorporating Permaculture elements around your home, garden, and property.
What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a relatively recent concept, developed in 1978 by two Australians, Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. It is based on the work of earlier pioneering thinkers who observed ancient farming practices of different cultures and saw in them models for systems of agriculture that would be less environmentally damaging and degrading than modern farming practices being implemented in the middle of the last century. At its most fundamental, permaculture is a philosophy which utilizes the self-sustaining systems that nature implements when left to its own devices. The term “permaculture” is an amalgamation of the words “permanent” and “agriculture,” to highlight the overarching objective of sustainability and self-sufficiency of a landscape based on this design approach. It’s not exactly accurate to say that Permaculture is a gardening practice or model. Fully implemented, a property under a permaculture plan includes the home and other buildings on a property, strategic placement of adjacent plantings to achieve specific goals, and radiating “zones” that move out away from the primary building, containing various activities that would be found on a sustainable homestead.
Based on Ethical Principles
As the concept of permaculture was refined, three Ethical Principles were developed on which permaculture became based. The first is “Care of the Earth.” Second is “Care for the People.” Third is “Setting Limits to Growth and Consumption,” to enable the development of the balance on which nature relies for continued sustainability. These ethical principles then provide the foundation for the Design Principles that guide permaculture planning. The design principles give direction on specific areas of permaculture design, but each will look different as they are implemented in varying ecosystems, where the need and objectives must reflect site specific realities.
Permaculture Design Principles
There are 12 Permaculture Design Principles which, when executed based on the three Ethics, guide the implementation of a permaculture design plan. Don’t let these terms scare you though. The design principles are accessible to anyone who approaches a potential permaculture project thoughtfully and with care. The principles cover basic concepts that really anyone – whether implementing permaculture design or not – should want to apply when designing a successful landscape plan. One such principle is “Observe and interact.” For example, from which direction do the prevailing winds come? Where is there full sun or shade, and at what times during the day, on the landscape? These observations will guide decisions such as where a garden should go, where beehives should be placed, or where to plant a fig tree. Another Design Principle is “Use and value renewable resources and services.” A fundamental tenant of permaculture is to be as sustainable as possible, reducing the need for outside inputs, and creating a closed loop where “waste” is turned into a valuable resource. Implemented in a permaculture design, this could include composting vegetable waste, leaves, or animal manures (if livestock are present on the farm) and utilizing the valuable material to fertilize vegetable gardens or orchard. You may already implementing permaculture concepts without knowing it!
Permaculture offers a roadmap for the creation of a more sustainable farmstead, garden, or even a suburban home, one that utilizes careful landscape planning to reduce energy needs to heat or cool. Permaculture principles can be implemented on both a large scale or one may pick and choose specific tools or concepts to implement. Interested in learning more? Join us at NC Cooperative Extension, Richmond County Center’s Lunch-n-Learn Introduction to Permaculture on Monday, March 24, 12-1 p.m. Bring your lunch and learn something new!
The event is free, however, registration is requested. Call the Extension office at 910-997-8255 or register on Eventbrite, https://LunchnLearnPermaculture.evenbrite.com.
You can also visit our website, Richmond.ces.ncsu.edu and register for the Lunch-n-Learn Introduction to Permaculture under the calendar of events. There you’ll also find the many other exciting programs we have planned, and you may find something else new that may interest you!