A Definition of Permaculture

 "Permaculture" - A word coined by Bill Mollison.

Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.  It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. 

Permaculture design is a system of assembling conceptual, material, and strategic components in a pattern which functions to benefit life in all its forms--based on principles of cooperation, rather than competition.  

The philosophy of permaculture lends itself to working with, rather than against, nature.  

The prime directive of permaculture:  The only ethical decision is to take responsibility for our own existence and that of our children. 

Garden Update

We've been charting our property and documenting planting notes, modifying our mini-swale system and enjoying the rewards of our efforts.  A garden update on our first garden at this property.

Our green friends taking hold in zone 1.
Our swales take less than 5 minutes to fill and take about 30 minutes to drain.

Alfalfa and Crimson Clover.

Greens from our garden.

Our first apple of the season.

We planted this okra at the edge of the woods to see how it will integrate with no amendments.  It's doing well, even as the ground cracks around it.

This little guy self-sprouted and has been battling the wind.  I used a bit of pine bark mulch to fortify it.

First Morning at the Future Food Forest

We went to help get the house prepared for a garage sale prior to our move in and I snapped a few shots.  One from one of the porches:

One of the pool and hot tub area we hope to give a permaculture makeover:

And a quick one of Sami and Barbara inspecting new apples forming on the tree outside my front window:

I am one happy hippy!