How To Design Your Permaculture Garden: A Guide To Growing Own Food

Do you love gardens?

Have you always wanted to have your own garden?

Then, you have come to the right place.

I am a “green” lover from the core of my heart. And, every time I shift to a new place, the first thing I do is plant flowers or seedlings. 

But not just for aesthetic reasons!

I was diagnosed with severe food allergies when I was only 9. Since then, my father started growing vegetables, fruits, & flowers in the backyard of our home for consumption. 

And, trust me, we started to grow our own food on the 253 acres of land of ours gradually! 

Not only they were organic, but also, the enjoyment & collaborative experience were unparalleled. 

 Now, let me tell you, that permaculture gardening can grow up to 25-30% of your daily food products. 

Want to know how to start your permaculture journey? Check out this guide till the end.

What Is Permaculture Gardening?

It is more of a concept & a design than a technique. The design of the garden depends upon the local environment, ecosystem, & climate conditions. 

But above all, your preferences & requirements are the key factors that decide the scale & structurization of the garden. 

But do you know what’s the best part of it?

It cares for you just the way you want! 

The farmed products are absolutely pure!

And if you care for the earth & mankind, permaculture gardening is the best method to sustain yourself. 

Specifically, organic permaculture practices boost soil fertility, rejuvenate the earth’s biodiversity & grow healthy plants & food just for you!

2 Benefits of Permaculture Gardening 

Low Budget & Maintenance

With this gardening process, you can grow your most preferred veggies and fruits every year without much external input. 

So, your garden will remain productive for years without much outside interference & rigid maintenance routines. 

Supports Pollinators

This is probably the best one!

Do not be surprised if you see bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies, or birds roaming around your garden. 

They are excellent pollinators helping in healthy & natural plant reproduction. 

4 Principles of Permaculture Gardening

Catch & Store Energy

Nature is a storehouse of energy! Nothing gets depleted here!

So, make sure you preserve the energy as best as you can. 

Wondering how?

The best example can be composting land debris like tree remains to create organic fertilizer. Or you can organically form a mulch with the fallen leaves. 

Self-Regulation 

It’s totally about your conscious choices. 

To limit the negative environmental aspects, always opt for organic gardening methods. Additionally, use only natural fertilizers & pesticides & never harm the pollinators. 

Use Renewable Resources & Don’t Waste

I know you care for the earth.

But, when it comes to permaculture gardening it is nearly impossible to avoid water & fertilizer usage. 

However, some ways can reduce the overuse & wastage of non-renewable resources. For example, you can store water in barrels or containers for future use. 

Value Diversity & Edges

Now only you can tell which types of plants grow the best in your garden. 

Analyze the production pattern of your garden & plant diverse native vegetables & flowers. As a result, it will attract more natural pollinators reducing pest or insect attacks. 

Also, remember one thing; it is your garden. So, don’t leave any empty space. Wherever you find even an inch of space, plant something. 

But if you ask me, I will suggest farming vertically. This way, you can accommodate more plants in your garden.

7 Steps to Permaculture Gardening:

Just by following a few simple steps, you can successfully create your garden full of variety & uniqueness. So, let’s check them out.

Find Right Location & Observe

• Make sure you find the most suitable land for gardening with exposed sunlight & water access.
• Also, observe the garden throughout all four seasons & analyze the surrounding ecosystem & climate. 

Divide, Rule & Design

• Divide the garden into several zones & plant the trees depending on their individual requirements.
• Also, design it based on the plants’ space consumption and light & water requirements. 

Invest In Local Plants & Water Systems

• Research well & shortlist your preferred local plants due to their disease resistance & better adaptability.
• Also, make sure you supply sufficient water to your plants through conserving rainwater or drip irrigation systems.

Prepare The Plant Beds 

Did you know, that digging or tilling the soil can sometimes harm the soil? 

Yes, you heard it right. But, then how to boost the soil’s fertility?

• Opt for sheet mulching or create approximately 6-12-inch garden beds by layering natural compostable materials like cardboard, straw, woodchips, etc. 
• You can also remove a patch & plant a tree without disturbing the soil structure.
• However, always grow taller plants at first so that they can provide the much-required shades to the fragile smaller plants. 

Plant in Sequence & Practice Sustainability 

Now it can be a crucial part of your permaculture gardening design!

• I would suggest that grow the perennial plants first to get year-round production. Broccoli, sweet potato, and spinach are some of the best examples of this type. 
• Then, you can grow annual plants like cucumbers, beans, peppers, & tomatoes & enjoy them at the year’s end. 
• Opt for sustainable gardening practices like repurposing green waste to save money & zero negative climatic impacts.

Worm Composting

This is an excellent way to make your organic fertilizer 10X potent. 

Let me tell you how!

• So, first, you collect the green waste. 
• Then, let it decompose with the help of earthworms.

That’s it!

4 Tips for Your Perfect Permaculture Gardening

Be Creative & Interact With Nature

Design your garden as creatively as you can! 

But don’t make the same mistake that I did.

I prioritized the aesthetics instead of the plants’ individual nutrient demands.

• Always monitor the plants’ health and whether they can adapt to the evolving nature.
• Depending on that, swap out the plants that grow slowly & shift them somewhere else where they get their vital nutrients. 
• Listen to what nature wants to say! Be strategic with your garden designs & provide the plants with the best growth environment.

Decide What You Want

Permaculture gardening is a holistic approach.

It’s not only good for your health & mind, but also for the ecosystem.

Now, before you start gardening, you must decide what you want to grow beforehand.

Depending on that, plant your preferred flowers, vegetables, or fruits. 

Trust me, when you will find the grown-up vegetables or flowers, you will be the happiest. 

Trial & Error

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!

• Plant a wide variety of flowers, shrubs, or trees.
• Analyze how the individual plants react to a specific soil structure.
• Also, track the water supply & the plants’ growth.
• Learn from your mistakes.
• Find out if any adjustment to your garden design can help your plants grow. 

Integrate Techniques

 Here are some quick tips:

• Opt for no-till techniques such as no-dig & Eden gardening, sod, direct & surface seeding.
• Also, rotational & companion planting can help you in pest control, soil replenishment, & even distribution of soil nutrients among the plants.

Common Challenges in Permaculture Gardening and How to Overcome Them

Though it is a simple process, you might face a few challenges. 

But do not worry! 

I have the right solutions for all those issues. So, check them out now!

High Investment & Labor Involved

• Use low-cost or DIY farming inputs.
• Design your garden in a way that demands low maintenance. 

Limited Land & Complex Design

• Connect with people with a similar mindset for accessing valued resources.
• Explore community gardens or create your own garden on the rooftop.
• Remember to start small.

Lack of Knowledge 

• Join permaculture courses, join workshops, and read books & articles to learn about the principles & techniques.
• Seek guidance from expert permaculturalists.
• Make your neighbors familiarized with this concept & let them know about the benefits.

Pest & Disease Management

• I suggest growing only local plants in a wide variety. 
• Also, manually remove weeds or invasive plants that can harm your crops.
• Natural predators can help you in controlling pest & insect attacks organically. 

Ready to Grow Food Organically Through Permaculture Gardening?

So, tell me, isn’t the gardening process simple & fun?

I am sure you will love it when you design your own garden!

If you have a little space available in the backyard of your house & you are a garden enthusiast, don’t wait any longer!

Collect the best quality seeds & start planting them. 

Trust me, you will love to watch them grow in no time under direct sunlight & with an adequate water supply. 

So, when are you planning to start your permaculture gardening journey? Do not forget to let me know. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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