While permaculture is often seen as a common-sense, down-to-earth approach to gardening, its principles can be applied to many other areas of life, possibly even all of them. Opportunities for using permaculture in everyday lifeโbeyond just the gardenโare all around us, if you know where to look.
We donโt need to use the term โpermacultureโ to benefit from its ideas. Many First Nations practiced these sustainable methods long before the term was coined. Similarly, we can apply permacultureโs practical, holistic approach to other aspects of life, whether weโre aware of it or not.
Understanding the principles behind permaculture helps us see why certain approaches work better than others. Ultimately, permaculture fosters sustainable, resilient systems wherever itโs applied.
In this article, we’ll explore the 12 permaculture principles, with real-world examples from gardening and everyday life, to show you how to incorporate them into your own journey toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
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For an even deeper dive into the application of permaculture principles in everyday life, read my series on the subject which breaks down the 12 permaculture principles into four parts, exploring three principles per article.
- Permaculture Principles in Everyday Life, Part 1
- Permaculture Principles in Everyday Life, Part 2
- Permaculture Principles in Everyday Life, Part 3
- Permaculture Principles in Everyday Life, Part 4
And now, an overview of each of the 12 Principles of Permaculture with explanations and examples.
The 12 Permaculture Principles in Everyday Life
Observe and Interact
Take time to notice what’s already happening around you. When you interact with your surroundings, you can get a better understanding of natural patterns before making changes.
Observe and Interact in the Garden
Imagine spending a few days just watching your garden. You might notice how sunlight hits certain spots, where water gathers, or how your plants respond to different conditions. This can give you ideas on where to plant and how to manage resources more effectively.
Observe and Interact in Life
Consider a manager in a workplace who takes the time to observe how the team communicates and works together. This might help them adjust how they approach collaboration or resolve conflicts, based on subtle dynamics theyโve noticed.
Catch and Store Energy
This is about gathering resources when theyโre plentiful, so you have them when theyโre scarce.
Catch and Store Energy in the Garden
You could set up rain barrels to collect water from your roof when it rains, providing a backup supply to use during dry spells. This could reduce your need for city water.
Catch and Store Energy in Life
A business leader might invest in employee training and development during times of prosperity. This could help build the companyโs resilience, giving the team more skills and flexibility when facing challenges down the road.
Obtain a Yield
Itโs about ensuring your efforts result in something useful, whether thatโs food, energy, or another kind of valuable return.
Obtain a Yield in the Garden
This one is easy. Gardening is often about planting crops for later harvest. Even in a purely aesthetic garden (one that doesn’t grow food at all) the yields are many–the garden’s beauty, a source of cut flowers, or the gardener’s mental health, for example.
Obtain a Yield in Life
A parent might focus on activities that help their child build skills or creativity. Over time, these projects could contribute to long-term growth and learning, benefiting the childโs development.
Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback
Being adaptable might make all the difference. Looking at whatโs working (or not working) and adjusting your approach accordingly can lead to better outcomes.
Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback in the Garden
Perhaps youโve noticed certain crops arenโt thriving. Keeping a garden journal could help you track their progress and troubleshoot the possible problems.
Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback in Life
A community leader might regularly check in with members for feedback. Using their input to adjust programs could improve things, and also get more people involved.
Produce No Waste
Efficient systems make the most of all available resources, reducing waste in the process.
Produce No Waste in the Garden
Most gardeners have a compost system of some sort, whether it’s participating in a city compost collection service, or composting their own yard and kitchen waste. Keeping the compost on site helps enrich the soil while reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfill.
Produce No Waste in Life
In an office, a shift to digital documents cuts down on paper waste and streamlines communication, possibly making the whole work process more efficient.
Use Renewable Resources and Services
Opting for renewable resources helps keep systems healthy and sustainable.
Use Renewable Resources and Services in the Garden
In the garden, you can plant nitrogen-fixing crops like peas or clover, to provide natural soil fertility without relying on synthetic fertilizers.
Use Renewable Resources and Services in Life
Solar energy is popular these days, and many homeowners are having solar panels installed on their roofs. This both reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers environmental impact, when municipal power is dependent on fossil fuels.
Design from Pattern to Detail
When designing, focusing on the big picture first might help create a more holistic system before zooming in on specifics.
Design from Pattern to Detail in the Garden
Looking at your garden’s layout could help you understand how sunlight and wind interact with your space. You might then place plants and structures based on this pattern to maximize efficiency.
Design from Pattern to Detail in Life
In urban planning, city officials might first examine transportation patterns and community needs. This approach could ensure that projects meet real needs rather than just focusing on specific designs too early.
Integrate Rather than Segregate
Connecting different elements of a system might make it more resilient and functional.
Integrate Rather than Segregate in the Garden
You might pair plants like carrots and leeks in companion planting. These plants could help each other thrive and even reduce pest issues.
Integrate Rather than Segregate in Life
In a workplace, a manager might bring together people from different departments to work on a project. This mix of perspectives can spark creative solutions and new ideas.
Use Small and Slow Solutions
Sometimes, gradual changes might feel more manageable and sustainable than large, overwhelming shifts.
Use Small and Slow Solutions in the Garden
You might start with a small vegetable patch rather than converting your whole yard. This could let you learn and adapt without taking on too much at once.
Use Small and Slow Solutions in Life
In personal finance, saving by making small, regular contributions is more effective than setting aside large sums all at once. This steady approach builds wealth slowly over time.
Use and Value Diversity
A diverse system often handles challenges better and is more resilient.
Use and Value Diversity in the Garden
A gardener might plant a mix of crops, flowers, and herbs. This diversity could attract beneficial insects and help keep pest issues in check.
Use and Value Diversity in Life
A business might build a team with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This could bring new perspectives, fostering creativity and better problem-solving.
Use Edges and Value the Marginal
Edges, or the transition areas between different environments, often hold the greatest potential for diversity and productivity.
Use Edges and Value the Marginal in the Garden
Planting a wildflower border at the edge of your garden provides habitat for beneficial insects, attracting them and improving the gardenโs overall biodiversity.
Use Edges and Value the Marginal in Life
Community projects can benefit from including people whose voices are often overlooked. The viewpoint of the marginalized is often the most needed perspective.
Creatively Use and Respond to Change
Instead of viewing change as a challenge, consider it an opportunity to adapt, innovate, and grow.
Creatively Use and Respond to Change in the Garden
If pests or diseases become an issue, you might experiment with natural solutions, like introducing beneficial insects. This could help you avoid relying on conventional chemicals.
Creatively Use and Respond to Change in Life
A parent might see their childโs evolving interests or struggles and find activities to engage or challenge them, helping them to grow in a positive direction.
Conclusion
Permaculture principles arenโt just for gardeningโthey can be applied to many areas of life. Whether you’re working in business, raising children, or building community, observing and adapting to natural patterns can help create systems that are more resilient and sustainable. By embracing these ideas, we can learn to work with the world around us, rather than against it, leading to healthier, more connected lives.
Resources
Permaculture Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability Book
David Holmgren’s comprehensive guide to the permaculture principles and how they apply to all aspects of life.
Available on Amazon
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