"You can solve the problems of the world in a garden." Geoff Lawton. [1]
Here I will focus on the concepts of the founder of Permaculture, Tasmanian Bill Mollison (b. 1928), although Permaculture itself, is now an international practice. The term 'Permaculture' originated as a merger between the terms 'permanent' and 'agriculture'. It was intended to provide an alternative to commercial forestry and agricultural practices. [2][3] Mollison says, " Agriculture is a destructive system." What we do need is a lot more gardeners. [4(I:7)]
Agriculture (commercial cultivation) is responsible for the loss of soil since tilled land has replaced forests. Forests produce soil and they keep it in place. The removal of soil-holding forests has allowed soil to erode down the rivers and streams, into oceans that no longer produce enough oxygen for the earth's living things. In the United States soil losses from cultivation range from 20 to 400 or 500 tons of soil per acre per year. About half of the earth's total was gone by 1950. [4(I:5)]
Household gardens in the U.S. produce nearly 18% of the food, about the same amount as contributed by commercial agriculture. [4(I:7)] Gardens are not only more productive than agriculture, they are less damaging to the environment. Of course, some gardening strategies are more productive and protective of the environment than others. Defining those strategies is what permaculture is about. Permaculturalists prefer non-cultivation techniques.
Mollison worked for the Australian Division of Wildlife. After 1966, with formal training in Bio-Geography and Social Biology, he taught post-graduate courses in environmental sciences. In 1978 Mollison founded and became Director of the Permaculture Institute in Tasmania, Australia. [5]
Permaculture grew out of two fundamental observations: (1) the earth is running out of critical resources, and (2) remedial action is going to require a fundamentally different approach to mega-problem solving. Permaculture is both a theory of garden design which would mimic natural ecology, and an innovative educational program.
Critical Resources
Acc
ording to permaculturists by 1950 the earth’s major forests were gone. And, forest remnants too depleted to function as real forests were disappearing as well. Forests profoundly affect the earth’s atmosphere, climate, air quality, fresh water cycles, and soil fertility.
Forests moderate climatic stability, so that the death of forests has led to climatic extremes. It is not just global warming, it is extreme weather. Forests recycle most of the earth's atmospheric oxygen. Forest trees store carbon and release oxygen into the atmosphere. 12,000 billion tons of carbon dioxide (1 carbon: 2 oxygen) are released annually by deforestation. [4(I:4)] This is carbon dioxide that would be in use by forest trees that no longer exist.
Forests take in fresh clean water, store it as ground water, and release clean water into the atmosphere. When the forests are removed, the fresh water table that nourishes tree and plant roots, disappears in favor of salinized water containing bed rock salts. These salts move up toward the surface, causing the death of trees and other plants. The result is 'desertification'. [4(I:5)] [6]
Big Chestnut Trees (left). The big forest trees are dying. Blights and beetles have moved in to remove whole species of the big trees - the chestnuts, elms, poplars, firs, pines, and maples that once formed the major biomass of the earth's expansive forests. The notion that whole species of trees are dying because of diseases and bugs is called the "phasmid conspiracy". In reality, Mollison says, the bugs and diseases are just cleaning up. The trees are already dead. [4(I:5)]
While governments want more studies, most people believe the problem is beyond their scope. Permaculturists say, "we might as well do something. We will never get anywhere if we don't do anything." [4(I:6)]
Remedial Action
Remedial action depends on changing our educational system: " We have to move from a passive to an active thought level." [4(I:7)] Training in Permaculture involves, first, participation in a short term, usually 2 week, Permaculture Design Certificate course (PDC). Then, after two years, of applied work, the student may apply for a Diploma of Permaculture Design. In this way, the original course work designed by Bill Mollison, has proliferated all over the world, through students and teachers trained in permaculture design workshops. [7], [8], [9], also see Permaculture Activist Magazine and Permaculture the Magazine (UK). [10] [11] DG member, Australian andihazelwood is a recent graduate of the Permaculture Design Certificate course. See also this thread in the Sustainable Alternatives forum.
Blueprint for Gardens
Permaculture is a design theory. Its focus is learning the right combinations of plants (and animals) that will be efficient, and sustainable, and then putting those in place. "It is our job to put the right things in place, and then let her rip." [4(I:10)]. Permaculturalists are not particularly concerned about 'native plants'. In fact, Mollison has said, all plants are native to the earth. A greater interest, rather than whether a plant is "native", is whether the plant/or animal, works within the design. [12] This type of "ecological" thinking is fundamental to the permaculture movement.
Guilds
One of the ways Permaculture seeks to mimic natural ecosystems is in its concept of guild relationships. Although guilds are sometimes equated with "companion planting", the concept is actually a much more practical design 
program. Guilds are beneficial relationships between entities that are on-going. Guilds mimic natural plant communities, and often include domestic animals, such as pigs, ducks, chickens, geese, and even fish, as elements in the design of a system. [13] Once the system is set up very little human intervention is required.
Chicken Heated Glasshouse [14]
The Food Forest is one resulting system.
A Food Forest then is comprised of beneficial assemblies of plants, called "guilds" that, consciously chosen to compliment one another, create a synergistic whole . . .. The classic example of this is the Native American "Three sisters" guild wherein corn provides the vertical scaffolding for nitrogen-fixng beans while squash grown along the ground acts as living mulch. A Food Forest uses all seven layers or "stories" of a forest: The tall canopy layer, dwarf varieties below that, then the shrub layer, the floral layer, the rhizosphere (underground tubers and roots) and the oft-neglected vertical layer of vines. . . . the resulting exuberant growth makes it difficult to see the trees for the forest! Claude Genest. [15]
The way the whole system works is much more important than the elements in the system.
"High Roll Way" Wexford Co. Michigan. A meander loop of the Manistee River was used historically as a log roll and by the aboriginal inhabitants as a defensive overlook.
FOOTNOTES: For more information on sustainable gardening practices, please follow these links.
[1] Geoff Lawton. The permaculture research institute of Australia. http://www.permaculture.org.au/
[2] Permaculture. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture
[3] Bill Mollison. CV. http://www.tagari.com/?p=54
[4] Bill Mollison. 1981. 15 original Bill Mollison Lectures presented at the Permaculture Design Course, Rural Education Center, Wilton, New Hampshire. Published by Yankee Permaculture, Barking Dog Permaculture Center PDB52, Spar Florida. pdf http://www.churchofdeepecology.org/permaculture.htm
[4.I] Bill Mollison. Lecture I. Introduction to Permaculture
[5] Bill Mollison. 2005. Personal Statement. http://www.tagari.com/?p=56
[6] Tree Facts. http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm#water
[7] Findhorn ecovillage, Scotland. http://www.findhorn.info/programmes/programme189.php
[8] Scott Pittman. Permaculture Institute. Santa Fe, N.M. http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/index/
[9] Claude Genest. Green Mountain Permaculture. Isle Lamotte, VT. http://www.claudegenest.com/greenmountainpermaculture/index.html
[10] Permaculture the Magazine UK http://www.permaculture-magazine.co.uk/articles/articles.html
[11] Permaculture Activist Magazine http://www.permacultureactivist.net/
[12] More Trees With Less Water. Using trees in drought prone croplands: http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/water/ pdf
[13] ABC TV. Gardening Australia. Fact Sheet: Companions/Guilds. http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1063743.htm
[14] Bill Mollison. Chicken heated Glasshouse. Permaculture Two: Practical Design for Town and Country in Permanent Agriculture. http://www.tagari.com/item.php?itemid=3
[15] Claude Genest. The Food Forest. Vermont Permaculture. Greenmountain Permaculture.com. LaMott, Vermont. http://www.claudegenest.com/greenmountainpermaculture/projects/tagari.htm
PHOTO CREDITS:
Thanks to: www.dreamstime.com for the royalty free photograph of a tasmanian devil;
To: Dawn Raymer, my sister, for the photo of The High Roll Way in Wexford Co. Michigan---our back yard at home;
To: The American Chestnut Cooperator's Foundation, for the photo of Old American Chestnut Trees. http://www.ppws.vt.edu/griffin/accf.html
DEDICATION: For Darius, who wanted to know.
Posted by Dyson (from Moneta, VA) on November 2, 2007 at 4:23 AM:Thank you for an informative article, it is going to take a lot of down time to get through all the links.
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Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on November 2, 2007 at 6:59 AM:
Ditto! but am sure it will be worth the effort...
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Posted by dave (from Jacksonville, TX) on November 2, 2007 at 1:24 PM:
I've been a proponent of permaculture for a long time and this was an excellent article!
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 2, 2007 at 1:50 PM:
Dave: Actually, I learned the cardboard method from you, before I knew it was a Permaculture technique.
thanks,
gloria
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on November 2, 2007 at 2:36 PM:
Gloria... great introduction to the principles of permaculture. Like Dyson, it will take me some time to get through all the links.
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Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 2, 2007 at 3:22 PM:
Brilliant Gloria!!
You had me at "You can solve the problems of th world in a garden..". I have always thought that way. My son Kirby is very interested in the subject of permaculture too.
Great research!! TYVM!
Bravo!
debnes
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Posted by Dyson (from Moneta, VA) on November 2, 2007 at 3:22 PM:
We shall endeavor to persevere! - Or that other thing in the John Wayne movie.
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 2, 2007 at 3:45 PM:
Dyson: If anything strikes your fancy we can 'have at it' over in the Sustainable Alternatives forum. There are actually some Permaculture people here who have posted in that thread, like andihazelwood.
For one thing, I am interested if anyone is gardening with ducks.
gloria
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Posted by Dyson (from Moneta, VA) on November 2, 2007 at 4:17 PM:
Gloria maybe we can get someone in admin to install a "sticky" thread w/all of the links from all of the threads there, Though there is an enormous interest here, there is not enough time to "do it all". If I did all the links in Sustainable Alternatives, I would never have time to put any of the ideas into practice. And that after all is the whole idea.
I am not saying (in any way or form) that you included too many links, just that there is only so much time, and while some links will only take moments to check out (sites with only something to sell for instance) others will take hours to research properly (as their information will be not only be informative but useful and informative as well). And sometimes just good reading - as was your article and most of DG.
not good at hug type things, but will try,,, - hug - ok got it done, Dyson
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on November 2, 2007 at 4:28 PM:
Gloria... ducks as in One Straw Revolution?
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 2, 2007 at 4:32 PM:
Dyson: You are a hoot!
gloria
P.S. To make it simple I would recommend the 1st Bill Mollison Lecture, Introduction to Permaculture, for theory.
And Permaculture II for practical applications.
Otherwise, the 2 Magazines are a way to keep up with what's going on.
It is a BIG topic.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on November 2, 2007 at 4:33 PM:
Your article was perfect for someone who has just retired from teaching high school for 37 years......never had time to seriously garden in the past and am just now learning the "whys" of it. I appreciate all the links, all the information, and feel that I am wayyyyy behind in my own education. I will spend the winter reading all the articles and trying to catch up.
As Dave said, it is an excellent article. Thank you.
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 2, 2007 at 4:42 PM:
Darius: I don't remember right now about ducks in One Straw. Ive lost my copy at the moment and haven't read it in a while.
Bill Mollison includes ducks in many of his garden designs. The garden is on a slope, so that kitchen wastes originating up hill are thrown into the duck pen, and then, perhaps with the assistance of chickens, the garbage is worked over, and scratched downhill to the garden beds with the addition of manure from the fowl. Or maybe it is allowed to just wash downhill when there is a rain. The result is automatic fertilizer for the gardens.
gloria
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Posted by Dyson (from Moneta, VA) on November 2, 2007 at 4:43 PM:
Do not have room for ducks, wish I did, but his acre is barley holding up "la-casa-doublewide" and the various "non-mobile" vehicles that inhabit it currently. Sooner or later I will have to repair something (do I ever dread that moment). I even have "Dead" vehicles at my mothers place (and she is not pleased by it). Boy is she not pleased.
I need room for Ducks, Chickens etc. But the first thing I need is to get rid of machinery which is non operative.
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 2, 2007 at 4:46 PM:
Do they have junk dealers where you are? They can process scrap metal. I have a brother who has turned our old swimmin hole and cow pond into a repository for his junk cars. He is persona non grata also.
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Posted by Dyson (from Moneta, VA) on November 2, 2007 at 4:52 PM:
persona non grata also? you are killin me! Where was that pond? Will it hold four more cars? How many motorcycles? Help me I am killin myself.
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 2, 2007 at 4:55 PM:
D. I never knew anybody else that could look at his shoes and do a shuffle in an internet post. I hope you get rid of that junk so your mother will love you again.
gloria
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Posted by Dyson (from Moneta, VA) on November 2, 2007 at 5:06 PM:
Mom loves me anyways - I am glad, and love her also, life is good, We took her to breakfast Sunday at the last good "country" restaurant in the county. She enjoyed the meal and I think the company.
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Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on November 2, 2007 at 6:19 PM:
Gloria, if your intent was to get people interested in learning more about Permaculture, then you have succeeded admirably! Fascinating and possibly prophetic information on how to "get back to our roots" in a sustainable way. Bravo!
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Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 2, 2007 at 8:14 PM:
What they said.....:-)
I am all up into the balance of my own little area of gardening space.
No ducks here. I think there are acreage requirements on keeping fowl in this area.. :-. The biggest birds I get are Hawks. They really like my garden.
So glad you wrote the article! Dave opened up a whole new world here! In fact DG is kinda like a Permaculture, complete and well rounded!
debnes
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on November 2, 2007 at 8:57 PM:
Wonderful -- marvelous -- fantastic -- great -- terrific -- my mom subscribed to Organic Gardening magazine in maybe the sixties -- now I want to grow food too! Thank you, Gloria!!!
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Posted by roybird (from Santa Fe, NM) on November 2, 2007 at 9:20 PM:
Good introduction to permaculture. I know you did alot of research to write this.
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 3, 2007 at 8:05 AM:
I want to thank everyone for their comments and I hope you find the information useful.
gloria
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Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 3, 2007 at 9:48 AM:
Your welcome gloria!
My son (Kirby 15), and I have discussed and worked in our own small garden on some of the factors you brought out in the article. Both he and my son Ben (who is 8), are very interested in nature, (plants, animals & insects), and ecosystems. Kirby loved the article too.
You are right about the approach being from an educational standpoint. The education system has become so flat. It is time for a revolution with a focus on one garden at a time. If we don't change our perspective, nothing will change except to get worse.
Bless ya!
debnes
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 3, 2007 at 9:56 AM:
There are more and more permaculture PDC centers being established in the U.S. In my day, the thing to do was spend a couple of years in the Peace Corps. In the future, I hope kids needing direction out of high school, will spend a year or two learning permaculture techniques.
I think there is nothing more important to do in the education of children, than to teach them how to garden. Like tying shoe laces, it is a skill they can use their whole lives.
I think you are way ahead of the rest of us, Debnes.
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Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 3, 2007 at 11:32 AM:
We only get one chance to do it better.. thx gloria!
debnes
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Posted by Sofonisba (from Putnam County, NY) on November 5, 2007 at 11:14 AM:
Thank you for this fantastic article on a subject I never knew existed. Now that I know, I'm going to make it a point to learn more about it.
Harper
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 5, 2007 at 4:59 PM:
Harper: You made my day! Can't think of anything better than trying to teach some one something, and they take it and run. Really, its information you can use to make your world better, if only to plant some shade trees for shelter from the sun. There are Permaculture schools popping up all over the United States, one on Lake Champlain north of you.
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Posted by Sofonisba (from Putnam County, NY) on November 19, 2007 at 11:12 PM:
Yippie! I'm so glad to make your day! I'm not sure where Lake Champlain is, but I'll check it out.
Thanks again!
Harper
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 20, 2007 at 4:46 AM:
[HYPERLINK@www.permacultureactivist.net]
This is the index page for North America from Permaculture Activist.
Scroll down for New York State.
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Posted by Sofonisba (from Putnam County, NY) on November 20, 2007 at 1:39 PM:
That's excellent! Thank you so much Gloria.
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on November 20, 2007 at 1:52 PM:
Sofonisba: I didn't realize there were so many choices. There is even one in Alabama!
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