Permaculture is a system of completeness with Earth. It’s a way of planning, implementing and benefiting from the natural things available to us without causing negative impact on the environment.
For some people, permaculture may seem a huge leap and a big change for the average backyard. There are however, some simple basic principles that can be applied to any yard.
Grow Your own Fruit and Vegetables
Growing your own fruit and vegetables in your backyard is easy and can be adapted to any size backyard. Fruits such as Strawberries and Raspberries are easily grown. Most seasonal vegetables can be grown in a domestic setting without major gardening experience.
Breeding and Raising Chickens and Rabbits
Raising rabbits and chickens serves many purposes. Chickens produce eggs and can be used for meat. Rabbits can also be bred for meat. Rabbits and chickens are also great for producing quality fertilizer and are great for removing weeds from garden beds.
Bee Keeping
Not something common for small backyards but larger gardens could be suited to keeping bees. The art of bee keeping is something that should be well researched before beginning.
Rainwater Collection
Rainwater tanks are almost a necessity in backyards today, exceptionally so in a permaculture environment. There are many types of tanks available, from traditional corrugated iron to Plastic and Fibreglass models. Some tanks are designed like bladders that can lay under house floors. Modular units are also available and can be lined up along fences or house walls. These units can be added to overtime, as need increases.
Composting and Worm Farming
Composting is the lifeblood of an Organic backyard and the same applies to a permaculture environment. All the inedible parts of a garden can be added to a compost heap: weeds, old mulch, hay, sawdust, chicken and rabbit manure. Worm farms are the perfect place to get rid of household scraps, peelings etc.
Power Creation
Solar Power is ideal for permaculturalists. It’s a common form of hot water heating and general power creation. Other ways to create power includes wind generation using small roof top turbines.
We can all do small things in our own backyards to help hold back our individual impact on the environment. Starting with a couple of easy to change habits and slowly introducing more as our experience grows.
Permaculture is not about Bullhorns and moon planting’s, it’s simply a way of working with what we have and with, rather than against nature.
And of course, working with the environment rather than against it benefits everyone. Its also fun and relaxing.
