Starting out with Permaculture

 

Perhaps you have a small garden, or a large garden or perhaps you have a large property or farm. Permaculture applies to all of them and the following pointers will get you on your way to creating your own permaculture.

 

It can take many seasons of observations to really understand your land. An easy way to start out is to draw yourself a mud map of your property and add observations as you make them. It is sensible to observe for 12 months before you make any serious plans. Enthusiasm is great but you really need to know the best spots for each aspet of your permaculture before you plant. Careful, considered planning is crucial for success.

 

Understand your Land

 

Where are the wet spots? This may be in the overflow of water or septic tanks, a leaky tap in a back yard or a semi-permanent water course on a large farm. You may have many wet spots. Try to work out how long they stay damp for after rain.

 

Where are the dry spots? If you live in an arid climate you will have lots of these but even a backyard in a wetter climate can be surprisingly dry if a large tree is sucking up the water.

 

Your soil – Is it clay, sand, rocky, acidic, alkaline, well drained. You can purchase a test for around $20 from your local garden centre which will allow you to work out the acidity of your soil. If you have a large property then you may have different sorts of soils. If your property is located in a revegetated urban area, you may wish to send of a sample and have it tested for heavy metals.

 

Understand your Climate

 

Sun and shade – Observe what gets sun and when. Some areas may be in permanent shade while others will have little sunshine in winter but be flooded in sun in the summer. Mark out the north, south, east and west.

 

Climate – Your climate will affect everything but mostly your choice of plants. I live in the wet tropics and this dictates my options. Don’t forget to be honest about your climate. It sounds strange but many people will refer to an area as “sub-tropical” when it is really temperate.

 

Don’t forget to consider your altitude as this will also determine temperature and rainfall.

 

Understand your Resources

 

Resources – What do you have available to you? Water is precious in most of Australia but for me, I have a huge amount. Work out how much of what you have available to you. Water, Sun, Wind, Annual Rainfall but also other stuff you could utilise like horse poo, chook poo, recycled materials etc.

 

Will you need to install water tanks, solar systems, grey water recycling? Research the systems that apply to you and think of ways you could integrate them into your space.

 

Research your Plants.

 

It is no point reading a book about growing vegetables in England if you live in Darwin! Some plants will grow like weeds in your climate and others simply won’t grow at all. Many others will be alright with a little careful planning and understanding of the plant’s needs. Bananas for example will thrive in the wet tropics but in Tasmania, they will die. In Sydney however, they will produce if they are cared for and protected. Apples will thrive in Tasmania but will deteriorate very quickly in the wet tropics. There will always be a vast amount of plants suitable for your area so find out what they are and research their needs. If a plant is not suited to your area, find out if there is some way you could still grow it and what measures you would need to take.

 

It helps to walk around your area and see what other people are growing. If you are so inclined you can become involved in local garden clubs and a trip to the local farmers markets will tell you what is doing well at what time of year. Ask questions. Get cuttings and seeds.

 

Most plants will have many uses. List the potential uses for the plants you would like to grow. Uses include food, mulch, nitrogen fixation, green manure, living mulch, fire wood, timber, shade, wind break, fragrance, medicine, animal fodder, fibre – the list goes on. Plants that can serve many uses are particularly important in permaculture design.

 

Growth habits and growth requirements are another important consideration. Does the plant grow quickly or slowly? Is it an annual or perennial? What are the water and light requirements? Is it a heavy feeder? Answering these questions will determine the plants placement in the landscape.

 

How often do you plan to use the plant? Things that are used every day such as herbs and vegetables should be within easy reach of your home, driveway or footpath where as other things like fruit trees that are harvested only once a year can be further away.

 

Think about how you will use the space

 

A garden is many things to many people. Do you want tranquil spaces, sunny nooks, a kid’s cubby, a tree house or a swimming pool.

 

Use Animals

 

Animals are an integral part of forests and they should also play an integral part of a sustainable garden. Smaller backyards could accommodate a couple of laying hens or guinea pigs while a farm could be host to flocks of geese, peacocks or goats. Animals have many uses. Obviously food but they are also great providers of manure and great for insect control. You will need to give consideration to their needs – housing, feed, protection from predators and also consider how you will protect parts of your garden from your animals if needed. Chickens will quickly dig up new seedlings but that same behaviour is very useful in ridding an established garden of weeds and pests. Use them to your advantage.

 

A couple of pigs make great rotary hoes and mobile fertiliser units for a weedy paddock. Two bantam hens will gladly give you the same service in an inner city courtyard.

 

Plan to plant in layers.

 

A forest has many layers from the microbes that break down leaf litter to the tallest trees and everything in between. Careful planting will allow you to carefully mimic these systems. Make sure you have plants that can fill every niche.

 

Look at what is there already

 

Can you use the garden as is or does it need to be ripped up. Has the land been degraded or damaged? What existing plants and structures could be incorporated into your design?

Plan for self sufficiency.

 

The less you need to bring in from the outside the better. Plan to grow your own food, food for your animals, plants for fertilisers and more.

 

Integrate you Home into the System

 

Household waste - rubbish, kitchen scraps, water and even sewage can be integrated into your system. If you are planning a new home then consider alternative energy sources, waste water recycling and even methane production from sewage. Older homes can often be integrated and upgraded to be more environmentally friendly, efficient and self sufficient.

 

Put it on Paper.

 

Design it all out in your mud map. Understanding all of the above will allow you to properly plan out your garden. You will know if you can plant into the soil or if you need to build it up – no dig gardens are fantastic for this. You will know what plants to plant where and be able to cater for their needs. You will understand your resources and what systems you can use to manage those resources.

 

Planning this out is great fun.