Introduction to Urban PermacultureGold Coast Permaculture
WELCOME!
What is permaculture?Permanent agriculture
Ecologically sound &
Economically viable
Provide for their own needsSustainable in the
long term
Do not exploit or pollute
Perm
acul
ture
dea
ls w
ith:
Permaculture Design
Permaculture Ethics
• Care of the Earth• Care of the people• Share of surplus
Moral beliefs and actions in relation to
survival on our planet.
Care of the earthCare of all living & non living things:
• Soils & Athmosphere• Species and their varieties• Water, Forests & Animals
Active conservationEthical use of resourcesWorking for useful & beneficial systems
Care of peopleBasic needs for:• Food• Shelter• Education• Satisfaying
employment• Convivial human
contact
Fair ShareContribution of surplus:1. Time2. Money3. Energy to achieve the aims of earth and people care.
Permaculture Principles“Thinking tools that allow us to re design our
environment and behaviour”
Design Principl
es
Relative
Location
Multiple
functions
Multiple
Elements
Energy
Efficient
Planning
Using Biologic
al Resource
s
Energy
Cycling
Small Scale
Intensive Acceleratin
g Successio
n
Diversity
Edge Awarene
ss
Attitudinal
principles
1. Relative Location“We must put it in the right place”
Chicken Pen close house & garden
Wind break – Stop wind but not sunWorm farm close to kitchen
Gravity for
natural water flow
1. Relative LocationWorking relationships between each element
• Inputs needed by one are supplied by other• Outputs needed by one are used by other
2. Multiple FunctionsEach element in the system should be chosen and placed so it performs as many functions.
Pond in the backyard
Habitat for birds
2. Multiple Functions
Water plants used as fertilizers
3. Multiple ElementsBasic needs such as:• Water & Food• Energy & Fire
protectionShould be served in two or more ways
Dam near house in case of fire
Moringa as a perennial food tree
Water harvesting from roof into water tanks
4. Efficient Energy Planning
Zone PlanningPlacing elements according to how much we use them or how often we need to service them.
4. Efficient Energy Planning
Sector PlanningUnderstanding the direction from which:sun, wind, fire and flood come helps in the placement of structures and vegetation.
4. Efficient Energy Planning
Slope Observe relative elevations to decide on the placements of: • Dams &
water tanks • Drains,
flood & flow diversions
• Place wastewater
5. Using Biological ResorcesPlants and animals do the work for us!
Animal Tractors
Umbelliferous &
Composite Plants
Natural fertilizers: Comfrey & Leguminous
6. Energy CyclingCatch, store and use!
Composting kitchen wastes
Thermal mass Strawbale
&Superadobe
Natural BuildingLeaves raked for mulch
7. Small-Scale Intensive SystemFully develop the nucleus before going on!
Time stacking
8. Accelerating Succession and Evolution
Raise organic levels artificially
Plants that will easily survive
Using what is already growing
9. DiversityFunctional connections between elements
9. DiversityGuilds - Placement of species which benefit each other
10. Edge EffectsProductivity increases at the boundary between two ecologies. Resources from both systems can be used.
Herb Spiral increase edge and micro climate
Keyhole & Mandala Gardens
11. Attitudinal Principles
“You don’t have a snail infestation, you have a duck
deficienty”
11. Attitudinal Principles
Permaculture is not energy or capital intensive. Permaculture is information-intensive!
If we take the time to read, observe, discuss and contemplate, we design systems which save
energy and give us yields.
WELCOME TO OUR URBAN PERMACULTURE
COURSE!
Permaculture Ethics in our own lives• Long-term consequences of your actions. • Natives X Invasive species• Intensive systems X Extensive systems• Be diverse, polycultural for stability or change• Bring food-growing back into the cities• Promote community responsability• Reafforest earth, restore fertility to the soil• Recycle all wastes• See solutions, not problems• Work where it counts
Local Great Resorces • Gold Coast Organic Growers• Botanic Gardens Benowa• Community Gardens GC Council• Food Connect Brisbane• Griffith Logan Refugee Community Garden• Northey Street City Farm Brisbane• Djanbung Gardens Nimbin• Yandina Community Gardens• Mudbrick Cottage Herb Farm