The concept of the naturally designed garden differs from the traditional management of a green space - by creating a sustainable cycle without chemicals, an easy-care and productive ecosystem is ultimately created. The so-called permaculture garden is based on the principle of self-regulationpromises less gardeningand more yield compared to conventional methods - but you can find out in the article what you need to pay attention to when planning a perma garden, what needs to be taken into account when creating it, and what plays an important role in further design.
Permaculture garden – garden planning plays a crucial role in success
The first step to a cozy permaculture garden is planning. The basic principles of conventional garden design are also used here - but in contrast, the processes are naturally regulated by planting native trees, bushes and plants. First, a sketch of the property should be created with the cardinal points marked. This sketch is the starting point, new information is then gradually added.
Then comes the windbreak - it plays a crucial role in creating the perma garden. Normally, a wild hedge can be created on the east side as a windbreak - there are several plants to choose from. Lilac berries as an element of the wild fruit hedge attract birds and insects, the native viburnum (a white-flowering shrub) can grow up to 3 meters high, the dog rose grows strongly, spreads quickly with root shoots and has edible fruits rich in vitamin C.
In addition, the north side is protected from the cold wind by trees and perennials - fast-growing trees include ash trees, which grow up to twelve meters high in the first ten years. They are self-seeding, can be cut and produce fruit - nuts (not edible). On the western side there are either hedge plants or low onesPerennials in the permaculture gardenaway. The hobby gardener does not need to plan any wind protection towards the south; this side usually remains open.
At the beginning, attention should be paid to the light and shade conditions - if the vegetable garden is exposed to strong sunlight all day long in summer, the plants can dry out. It's definitely worth getting advice here, as this step is crucial for later garden design. Numerous garden schools offer special training in the field of permaculture, but the local tree nursery can also answer the most important questions.
Divide the perma garden into zones
The second step to a perma garden is zoning - depending on the design effort, the property is divided into several areas. The house and the adjacent terrace, where the family likes to spend time, form Zone 1. The area directly next to the terrace and around the house, where, for example, the potted plants are displayed in summer, scented flowers are planted andHedge plants such as climbing rosesZone 2 provides shade for the terrace on hot summer days. This is also where most hobby gardeners build a greenhouse if this is necessary for gardening. A garden pond and other garden design elements can also be created here.
Elements of permaculture – creating a vegetable garden
The next zone 3 is relatively close to the house or garden shed - and can be watered as needed. Vegetables are mostly planted here that like moist soil, but are otherwise easy to care for and are only visited again at harvest time - for example pumpkin, potatoes, wild cabbage or wild tomatoes. The potatoes prove to be an all-round talent - they are easy to grow, easy to care for and can easily withstand frost and snow. The experts recommend planting early potatoes with medium-early and storable late potatoes in one bed - so the residents of the house can enjoy their own production all year long. For example, the early variety Christa can be combined with Melina, a storable medium-early variety. Inexperienced gardeners can't go wrong with the most popular variety, Linda. Wild cabbage, also known as brassica oleracea, prefers loamy, moist soil and can be sown in both shady and sunny locations. The wild tomatoes thrive both in pots and in the garden, withstand moisture and frost without any problems, and do not need any fertilizer. In any case, the gardener must plan around 3 square meters of space per plant. Golden Currant is considered a popular and delicious variety.
Permaculture garden – fruit bushes and fruit trees
Zone number 4 is considered easier to care for than the others - this is exactly the right place for an orchard. For example, the goji berry, which not only grows quickly and survives the winter outside without any problems, but also whose fruits contain many healthy vitamins and ingredients. The fruits of the chokeberry strengthen the immune system and taste delicious. The vital berry is not one of the native plants, but it has a decisive advantage - in addition to the fruits, the leaves are also edible. The blueberry enjoys great popularity - the plant is extremely easy to care for and only needs to be cut after several years (usually from the fifth year). Bees can still be accommodated in zone number 4 - they fulfill oneimportant function in the orchard, namely promote plant growth and pollinate the berries. If you decide to do this, you must build the hive with enough distance from the house and neighbors.
Chickens help control pests in the orchard and prove to be an environmentally friendly alternative to common pesticides. If the pets move freely in the permaculture garden, they need at least 20 square meters per animal. In winter the chickens can find accommodation in the coop, so this should definitely not be missing. Otherwise, chickens are quite easy to care for, and the noise is kept to a minimum if the distance to the house and neighbors is large enough (similar to bees).
After zone 4 comes the last zone, zone 5 is considered the edge zone and should visually separate the property from the neighbors. This is where the fruit trees are located - how many fruit trees can be planted depends closely on the available area. Small fruit trees are ideal for small gardens - they grow slower and are therefore easy to harvest compared to tall fruit trees. Anyone who decides to do this must expect a higher level of effort - the ground must be carefully prepared, the earth loosened, the trees are fertilized in spring and autumn, watered in summer - if necessary - and all small fruit trees need a stake. If you decide to do this, you can buy an apple tree - the deep-rooted plant allows you to plant under it with ornamental grasses or shrubs.
The zoning at a glance - when dividing into zones, the first thing that plays a decisive role is the amount of care required - vegetables and fruits that are easy to care for are placed on the edge of the property, complex plants should be in close proximity to the house because of the need for irrigation. Chickens and bees protect the orchard from pests, but they must be kept at a distance from the house and neighbors.
Permaculture garden – green manure or compost?
An important prerequisite for plant growth is fertilizer - permaculture gardeners can choose between green manure or compost. With green manure, special plants are first grown to improve the soil and then processed into mulch. On the one hand, this suppresses weed growth and, on the other hand, the plants create a balanced soil climate. Green manure varieties such as marigolds are either sown first in the garden or between the fruit and vegetable beds. After about eight weeks, or when they are at least 6cm high, the green manure plants are mowed down and left on the property. Over time, mulch forms. Anyone who decides to use green manure must already have a certain amount of experience, but this will save time later.
When composting, choosing the right location for the compost heap plays a major role in success - a shady spot protected from the wind and measuring at least 1.40 meters long and 1 meter wide and a water-permeable substrate provide the perfect conditions for the compost. Materials that come into question when composting are leaves, plant residues (except weeds) and bark.
Permaculture principles in the greenhouse – what needs to be taken into account?
It seems as if permaculture theory and the greenhouse have nothing in common. But the permaculture principles can easily be implemented even in a greenhouse. The hobby gardener should disturb the natural processes as little as possible and only support them. Green manure and clever combinations between different plants can create an active, sustainable ecosystem. In the greenhouse, sensitive plants can also survive the winter and cultivate seedlings in the spring. Energy should be saved as much as possible - ultimately it's about environmentally friendly garden design.
Save resources in the perma garden
In the permaculture garden, environmental awareness is the top priority - the gardener should therefore use resources as profitably and economically as possible. First and foremost is the need for water – ieCollect rainwaterand use for irrigation. Energy is saved with a hill bed - this is usually south-facing and consists of several layers - at the bottom there is compost, bark and leaf residue. Then comes the soil and then fruit or vegetables can be planted. Over time, a layer of humus forms, which supplies it with energy and promotes growth. Furthermore, no chemicals are used in the perma garden, but rather the pests are combated using plants, animals and insects. The end result is an ecological harvest - the fruits and vegetables are therefore not only delicious, but also healthy.
