The Basics of Permaculture Design

Contents

Foreword by David Holmgren

1 Permaculture is a direction, not a destination

• what permaculture is and what it is not

• sustainable land use

2 Maximising the edge

• land-based food production

• water-based food production

3 General design principles

• zones and succession

• microclimate

- reflection and radiation

• designing for catastrophe

- abundance of water

- other considerations

4 Steps in the design process

• the design process

• design considerations

• design steps

- information phase

- analysis phase

- management phase

• implementing a design

5 Basic tools for the designer

• a designer’s field tool kit

- piece of string

- folding shovel

- magnetic compass

- salinity meter

• surveying the landscape

- “A” frame level

- more expensive equipment

• a designer’s drawing tool kit

- stationery items

- mathematical drawing aids

- drawing paper

6 Basic principles of garden building and management

• introduction

• building healthy soil

- the nature of soil

- soil conditioning and treatments

• integrated pest management

• other tips for gardeners

7 It’s all a matter of location

• location and climate

• choosing a property

• local regulations

8 Getting the house right: zone 0

• the passive solar home

• integrating the house and garden

• retrofitting existing houses

9 Water harvesting

• on the surburban block

• on the farm

- keyline cultivation

- moving water through drains

• in dry areas

10 Designs for urban settlement

• limited spaces

- balconies and windows

- small backyards

- germinating seed

11 Designing for rural properties

• whole farm plans

• windbreaks and shelterbelts

• animals in the system

12 Permaculture in schools

• a needs analysis

• determining resources

• guidelines for designing school grounds

• practical design considerations

• hamlet - to be or not to be

• design considerations for ecovillages

- bylaws and regulations

- guidelines for land development

- looking at options

- housing structures

• social and legal structures of human settlements

14 Appropriate technology

• generating power

- photovoltaic cells

- wind generators

- hydro-electric systems

• electric fencing

• pumping water

- hydraulic ram

• cooking devices

- solar food dryer

- haybox cooker

16 Bibliography