Definitions for "Permaculture"
Permaculture is a design for sustainable living. The word comes from the words "permanent agriculture" and "permanent culture" and it describes the sustainability of the design methods. The philosophy and principles of permaculture copy life systems in nature and use energy in the most efficient way possible. Permaculture can be applied to any system, from your garden to your home, whether urban or rural. Sheet Mulching This is a procedure that imitates the natural patterns found in the forest. Just as the leaves and needles fall from the trees and create a cover that kills weeds and keeps the soil moist, in your garden you can start your planting beds in the same manner; newspaper and cardboard can be laid down directly on the grass and topped with manure, soil and straw. These layers kill the weeds and grass and trap the moisture in the soil. When the grass has completely broken down, the result is a new garden bed that is nutrient rich.
is the design of sustainable human habitats. It is based on the observation of natural systems and uses ecological principles to increase diversity and productivity of local human ecosystems. Permaculture designs incorporate food, energy, and shelter for people and animals while linking the needs and outputs of each element of the system. The result is a dynamic yet stable system that sustains itself. Permaculture designs can be developed for any climate and on any scale, from balconies to entire villages.
a design and maintenance strategy that integrates natural ecosystems, agriculture and the built human environment in order to provide food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. The term was coined and copyrighted by Bill Mollison.
an arrangement of plants that will grow without much attention but still provide useful food or fiber