DIY Permaculture Landscape Design for Sustainable Living

Want to learn about Permaculture? Well, you’ve come to the right place! But first, a few “basics”…

What is it?

The word is a combination of “permanent” and “culture”. It is a practical design philosophy guided by its own set of ethics and aimed at creating sustainable living environments to meet human needs while treading lightly on the earth.

This eco-efficient design system can be applied to any human environment including landscapes, buildings and even institutions.

Interested in Permaculture Property Design Services?

A great Permaculture property plan can save you years of effort and thousands of dollars you otherwise may have wasted on poorly conceived “improvements”. No matter where you live, our professional design services will help you make the most of your farm! Design Packages start at only AU$550. Details available here.

Permaculture draws on three main sources of information and inspiration: e

• Natural ecosystems:

Natural systems such as mature forests or mangrove swamps are highly efficient and productive while producing no waste. Permaculture replaces natural ecosystem elements (e.g. plants and animals) with those that produce a yield for humans, while emulating their beneficial, symbiotic and interdependent relationships.

And so it creates a cultivated ecology of “useful” plants and animals.

• Traditional sustainable farming systems:

Like natural ecosystems, traditional farming systems are bio-diverse with elements working harmoniously together. The waste output of one element (e.g. duck manure) is captured by the system as an input to another (e.g. to feed fish). environment and lifestyle sustainability

• Appropriate technology:

The best of appropriate technology is utilized to enhance system eco-efficiency and yield. Such technology includes water harvesting earthworks, solar and wind power, composting toilets, solar greenhouses, energy efficient housing, and solar food cooking and drying.

Permaculture Landscape Design

In your small farm or backyard, this is the harmonious integration of landscape and people to provide their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.

Every element included in the system is designed in with consideration of optimising the yields it can provide and efficiency with which its needs are met. As a case study, we explore the many different ways chickens can power a Permaculture system here.  You can view the Permaculture plan we prepared for our own 5 acre small farm here.

Ready to learn how to do it yourself?

Then you’ll need to get a grip on some key concepts:

• Key Principles
• Sector Analysis
• Zone Analysis
• Slope and Aspect
• Species Guilds and Companions
• Understanding and Boosting Succession

Permaculture co-founder Bill Mollison has recommended that water bodies such as carefully integrated ponds are essential to productive systems and ideally should occupy at least 10% of your landscape.

Follow our recommended steps to take before planning, and guidance on the best way to proceed with implementing your Permaculture design.