I’ve been asked on numerous occasions by those dabbling in the art of Permaculture for the first time, where on earth does one start?
If I’ve just blown your brains because it is the first time you’ve heard this word even mentioned, then you should probably get yourself oriented by reading this. THEN, come back here and check out some of these books that I highly recommend you get stuck into, because they will blow your brains further into more smithereens.
(You can click on the title or the book for more info)
Introduction to Permaculture
by Bill Mollison
This is the original gateway book most people find themselves exploring Permaculture through. It is, after all, the first of its kind from way back when. Mollison coined the term back in the 1970’s and this book is the brainchild of his many years of experience, drawing together a template for what would be the base of Permaculture Design Courses in the years to come. It is a perfect place to start and orient yourself with the ins and outs on getting started.
Gaia’s Garden
by Toby Hemenway
Ok, I won’t brag (but yes I will), I have enjoyed a friendly chat over lunch with Toby during my Permaculture Course at Occidental Arts and Ecology Center. He is one cool kid. Even cooler, is his popular permaculture book, Gaia’s Garden which has become a staple on every permaculturist’s bookshelf. It’s a great introduction for small scale implementation and goes beyond the typical ‘garden’ set up. Many people associate Permaculture with gardening, but really, there’s soooo much more to it as you will soon discover!
Permaculture: Principles and Pathways beyond Sustainability
by David Holmgren
This book is a bit more intensive with the ‘nitty-gritty’ of Permaculture than other books I’ve recommended, but without a doubt, a great read for those who are theoretically inclined like myself. I love getting lost in the jargon of Permaculture so please excuse me for this recommendation if you do not. But what’s Permaculture without a mention of Holmgren. He was, afterall, the one who helped Mollison spearhead Permaculture onto the global stage, so all credit to him. He knows his stuff and the words he preaches are worthy of being shouted from the rooftops.
Sepp Holzer’s Permaculture: A Practical Guide to Small-Scale, Integrative Farming and Gardening
by Sepp Holzer
Holzer is a rogue Permaculturist if ever there were such a person. He basically does his own thing, breaking the broken rules that Permaculturists have already broken. Is that even possible? He is based in the Austrian mountains and has proven that cultivating an abundance of food (yes, even tropical food), at high altitudes in Austria is possible. His methods are outrageously inspiring, and just a tad bit controversial for the mainstream. But we’re not mainstream, are we now?
The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming
by Masanobu Fukuoka
More of a personal spiritual manifesto mixed in with a balanced reflection on the state of the global food systems, the simplicity of Fukuoka’s words really are like a slap in the face at times. It’s eye-opening and awe-inspiring, straight from a man who has cultivated his own food for years admist an ever changing world. Both practical and philosophical, this is certainly a shelf staple for those looking to extract some motivation for their practice and understand the deep truths of why what we are doing is just as important as the how.
Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist: How to Have Your Yard and Eat It Too
by Michael Judd
Ok. So maybe you’ve heard about Permaculture and it got you all excited but you’re trying to be honest with yourself. You really just want to grow your own food. This book provides great, colorful step-by-step instructions and design examples to get you started on turning that lawn into a food growing paradise. Grow food not lawns, as they say. If your focus is solely on the food (although I’d highly encourage you to branch out from here as well), then this is the book for you.
So there you have it. These are some great books to get you started and provide you with some direction if you’re new to Permaculture, or even if you’re an old-timer. The best practice though is getting out there and getting your hands filthy dirty.
What are your favorite Permaculture books that you would recommend to a newbie?
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