Permaculture

Permaculture is an approach to agriculture that is based on designing gardens, farms and settlements to meet the needs of the earth and humans in the long term.

Originally a melding of the words permanent and agriculture, permaculture has now expanded to signify permanent culture. The ideals and guidelines of permaculture are not only useful for creating a sustainable food supply, but can also be applied to all aspects of creating a sustainable culture, such as housing, urban planning, economics, and interpersonal relationships.

A microclimate is an area that due to its situation in the landscape may be warmer or colder, drier or wetter than the rest of the property. It is a play of the elements: air, sun, water, earth and space. By learning the theory behind microclimates, observing natural microclimates and creating microclimates, you can grow plants that are normally tender in your area and place plants in areas of the garden that are best adapted to their needs. Microclimate theory is equally useful when planning forest gardens.