The discussions about nature conservation in agriculture are becoming louder and louder. Protecting biodiversity is also becoming increasingly important in the garden. Permaculture creates an approach to making the garden useful and environmentally friendly at the same time.
What is permaculture in the home garden?
Permaculture in the home garden means creating a sustainable cultivation system that brings agriculture into harmony with nature. This is achieved through the mixed cultivation of native plant species, the collection of rainwater and the consideration of location factors such as sun, wind and soil conditions.
Term
The term permaculture comes from English and stands for sustainable agriculture. The idea behind this form of farming is to bring agriculture into harmony with nature. Individual components take on an important function in the overall system. A cycle is created in which everyone involved benefits from each other. With little effort and materials, you can create permaculture in your home garden and benefit from the benefits.
Positive side effects:
- reduced pest infestation
- higher yields
- sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation method
Tips for planning
If you want to convert your garden to permaculture, you need to pay close attention to the individual components. Try to identify processes in nature. Natural processes relating to the seasons are imitated in your own garden. When choosing plants, focus on native species and offer animals new habitats.
The course of the sun, areas exposed to wind and damp areas should be taken into account when planning. Get to know the soil, because clay, sandy and loamy soils offer different amounts of nutrients and behave differently.
Implementation
Intensely used areas on which you grow vegetables are combined with extensively used areas in permaculture. When creating the beds, variety and diversity are the top priority. Avoid strict lines and add natural shapes such as meanders, nets or waves.
The mixed culture is very important on the bed. Plant crops from different plant families next to each other and ensure a rotating crop rotation. Green manure is suitable so that the vegetable patch can regenerate. After the harvest, sow seeds of mustard, fenugreek or oats and leave the bed to its own devices until next spring.
Water
Permaculture also means that no resources are wasted. Collect rainwater in barrels (€144.00 at Amazon) and pond basins. In the garden pond, the water fulfills several functions. It not only serves as a reservoir but also stores heat.
