Introduction: To Plant a Seed
Inside every seed is the potential for an incredible harvest.
~ Farrah Gray
I’ll never forget it.
It wasn’t a special occasion, not a holiday or a celebration, but that ordinary family dinner is one I’ll always remember.
My Great Aunt Shelby declared that my collard greens were the best she’s ever tasted. Coming from a woman raised in the South, this is like the Oscar of compliments.
And she wasn’t the only one who loved them. The bowl went fast. Even the kids, who usually turned up their noses at green food, went in for seconds.
I remember the warmth of that smile that spread across my face. I knew why the dish was such a hit. Not because I’d used some new recipe or secret ingredient. The difference was I’d grown those collards myself. Straight from the earth to the kitchen table, with nothing in between.
I’d say the moment filled my soul as much as it did their bellies.
And to think, it all started with one simple seed.
Well, friends, it’s like they say. “Never underestimate the power of planting a seed.”
So, what does it mean to plant a seed?
Literally, it means putting a tiny, dormant plant embryo in the ground, caring for it, and watching it grow.
Then, someday later, it means basking in the approving smiles of Great Aunt Shelby and the delight of your kiddos as they excitedly chow down upon your own home-grown organic veggies. Now that’s a satisfying harvest!
However, planting a seed can also mean starting something new. Planting an idea and watching it blossom into something extraordinary.
Permaculture starts with an idea. It’s the idea that humans and nature can work together in this remarkable, harmonious way, where we all thrive together.
Resilience. Resourcefulness. Interconnectedness. Multiplication. Abundance. Those are pretty fun words! And they’re all included in the satisfying harvest of planting this seed.
Let’s take another gander at our metaphorical seed packet here.
Permaculture explores the question: What if there were timeless principles we could tap into in order to cultivate life here on Earth to its fullest potential? It also answers with an excited, “Yes!” It’s true! And, there is latent power all around us that we can harness, which has been at work since … well, forever.
Although “permaculture” may be a word of the last century, nature has been living it since the dawn of time. One needs only to step into the wild, lush forest with an open mind to be amazed by the remarkable circle of life at work.
See, natural ecosystems are awe-inspiring because they can maintain and regenerate themselves, and have done so for many years. In this book, we’ll explore what this could mean for our lives and gardens.
For now, a simple example. Think about the lifecycle of an apple tree. The tree grows from a seed. It drops fruit that deposits more seeds. As the fruit rots, it fertilizes the soil. New apple trees sprout from that same soil. Multiplication, abundance, so on and so forth. This is a self-maintaining and regenerating system on a tiny scale.
Well, by mimicking nature — watching and replicating how its complex parts work together — we can create self-sustaining mini-ecosystems right in our own gardens and farms. In essence, we can “bring the forest back home.”
And here’s the fun part: we can do this anywhere.
Whether on a farm across the globe, or right in your own backyard: permaculture principles can powerfully influence projects of any scale and in any place.
The ideas of permaculture have certainly grown and spread around the world. More people are catching on. There’s a better way to grow food, and it’s been around for a long time. It’s a back-to-our-roots kind of idea in the truest sense!
When I started my homestead, I had no idea what “permaculture” was. I just knew I liked animals, nature, and producing my own food. I was tired of relying on whatever produce the grocery store had in season. And I felt like there was a better way to utilize my space that was lower-maintenance, cheaper, and had less of an environmental impact.
When I discovered what permaculture was, something clicked. The more I learned about its ideas, the more I thought, this just makes sense. So the seed was planted, and it kept growing.
On the one hand, I realized something cool: in many ways, I had basically been practicing parts of permaculture all along! And on the other hand, I wish I’d found out about this sooner! I couldn’t wait to learn more about these ideas and incorporate them more and more into my life & homestead, and make everything better.
Because, simply put, permaculture works. And it gives so many great solutions for living out the ideals and dreams that are important to me, and even vital for us as a human race!
Maybe you can relate with me. Check YES if any of these statements apply to you:
• You’re blown away by the ever-increasing grocery store food costs, especially fresh meats, fruit, and vegetables.
• You’re concerned about the chemicals they might be putting in the fruits and vegetables you buy at the grocery store. This includes the antibiotics, hormones, and supplements in commercially raised meats.
• You’re conscious of your impact on this planet and want to make a positive change during your stay here.
• You like to think of creative ways to reuse empty containers, leftover building materials, broken furniture, and kitchen scraps.
• You’re looking for a fun, natural hobby that you and your kids can participate in together, outdoors and away from electronic screens.
• You’re tired of the basic row-by-row garden plan and wish there was a way to fit more abundance into your garden space.
• You want to make a positive change in your community.
Whether you checked off all these boxes or just one, you’ll benefit from incorporating permaculture into your life.
So, maybe you’ve heard this buzzword “permaculture” and are excited to learn more about it. But it sure sounds like a lot to take in, especially if you’re new to gardening. I felt the same way!
But pretty soon, you’ll find that transforming your space into a permaculture paradise is easier than you thought! Of course, this is a journey of many small steps. The map is already there, etched into nature’s code. This book is here to help you open that map, and take action, so you can start making your dream a reality, one step at a time.
We’ll start by diving deeper into what permaculture is and the principles and goals behind it.
Then, you’ll learn how to look at your space through permaculturist eyes and explore all the possibilities open to you, whether you have dozens of acres or just a few square feet.
And hey, if you can’t tell the difference between a perennial and a porcupine, you’re in luck! We will be going over all the gardening basics from a permaculture point of view.
Don’t worry, you won’t be going it alone. I’m here to guide you, and together, we’ll be following blueprints that have stood the test of time. After all, the Earth’s been spinning and food’s been growing naturally for a long while now, right? The answers are out there. All we have to do is look with fresh eyes.
But before we get started, I want you to open your mind to these four simple principles:
#1: You’ve got the right stuff.
Throw those limiting misconceptions out, friend! Skip the recycling bin on this one. Permaculture and gardening ain’t just for the professionals, farmers, rich folks, and people with vast expanses of acreage. It’s for everyone! Yes, this includes you. Say it with me, with a big ol’ cheesy grin … “I’ve got what it takes!” Feel goofy? Good. Embrace the goof.
Look, any time we try something new, thoughts and feelings of self-doubt are common for anyone to experience. In fact, the presence of doubt is a great sign you are stretching beyond your comfort zone. It means you’re growing!
With this perspective shift, we can recognize the doubts for what they are when they do pop up. They are simply this — thoughts and feelings — and nothing more. They’re not the truth, but defense mechanisms against the “unknown” that everyone else goes through, too. I’ve felt doubt plenty of times! Recognize all this as you feel it, and let it pass right on through. Thanks for trying to protect me, doubts. But I’m working with new information now.
You gain confidence through knowledge and experience. Sometimes just knowing how something works can demystify those daunting “unknowns.” And experience gained through simple, consistent action builds competence. By reading this book and taking action from what you learn, you’ll gain both knowledge and experience!
#2: Develop a growth mindset.
Alright, let’s talk about that nasty F-word. Yep, you’re going to fail. Ouch! I know, it stings. But, happily, it’s true. And it’s okay. And, it’s useful! Failure = feedback! When dealing with the natural world — a world that is often outside of your control — failure happens, and again, it happens to everyone. You’re not alone.
The key here is context. Consider the words of Janet Kilburn Phillips:
There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.
Let’s really let that sink in. What if there are no “failures” here, only experiments and lessons? Experience is the best teacher, and each “mistake” provides valuable feedback. Consider your gardening journey to be one big learning experience! So, if spittlebugs decimate your first crop of strawberries, embrace it, learn from it, and move forward, Champ. Permaculture is all about trial and error. And if you stay the course, what doesn’t kill your garden only makes it stronger.
#3: Work with what you’ve got.
Embrace your space! If you find yourself up against a mental block that sounds like, “Aw, I wish I had land so I could really do this,” do yourself a big favor now and shift your perspective. Flip that thought to a positive: “Look at all this space I have right here on my 4’ x 6’ balcony!” See? Much better.
This journey is built on seeing potential everywhere. There’s a space for everyone in permaculture, no matter how big or small.
#4: Take your time and enjoy the ride!
In permaculture, we practice small, slow solutions. Although there are things you can do to start producing today, a permaculture garden doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years to establish, and it’s constantly developing. And that’s part of the fun! You can spend the rest of your life perfecting your permaculture plan.
For now, focus on baby steps. Something as small as planting a single seed will multiply in time.
Just like my collards did. And just like these great ideas have in my life, and I believe they will in yours too.
* * *
There are many ways you can use this book. You could pick a topic from the table of contents and use it for a reference as needed. Or you could read it from start to finish.
The ideas do build on each other, like the layers of a tasty cake. The first three chapters explore permaculture from the 30,000-foot-view. And while I believe the mindsets of permaculture lay an important foundation for its practical application, you may want to skip past theory and principles, and get right into the “how to” of your garden. I totally get it. If that’s you, I’d suggest jumping in at Chapter 4, where we’ll apply those core principles as we look at your space, and begin building your dream garden.
If you’re looking to reference a certain method or idea, this book is divided into five main parts:
1. Seeing Through a New Lens: This is the foundation I talked about above. We’ll dive into the core concepts of permaculture, and really hear its heartbeat. We’ll get motivated and look at what makes a permaculture garden so powerful and exciting. We’ll learn to see with new eyes, and how to apply the principles of permaculture, not just to gardening in general, but to your specific space, design, and journey.
2. Methods and Materials: This part will really pack your tool belt. We’ll cover a large scope of gardening methods you can use to carry out your design. From containers and raised beds, to different ways to prepare the ground. We’ll also cover a variety of materials you can use to build not only your garden structures but the soil as well. Whatever your budget, skill level, or space, you’ll have what you need to build a garden!
3. Planting the Garden: This part will empower you with all you need to do the main thing: plant stuff! We’ll learn all about your soil, how to check it and give it what it needs to optimize it for plant growth. We’ll cover the details of growing plants, from starting seeds to transplanting, seeing them all the way through their life cycle. I’ll help you decide what to plant, when to plant it, and where. We’ll explore some advanced planting techniques to help you create a balanced, full garden and get the most out of it.
4. Expanding the Design: This is where your design really becomes enriched, integrated, and complete. From incorporating animal life to making use of the resources that are all around you, we’ll take steps to creating a thriving mini-ecosystem. We’ll harness natural resources, like rain, sun, and wind, to help your garden thrive. We’ll learn the art of composting, and make powerful use of garden waste, food scraps, and even weeds, so everything serves a purpose.
5. Thinking Ahead: This is where you pack your bags for the years ahead, so you are thoroughly equipped for this journey. We’ll cover how to harvest your crops, as well as various methods of preserving food and extending the growing season for year-round abundance. We’ll also brainstorm and troubleshoot, covering common garden issues from a permaculture perspective.
Maybe you’re new to permaculture, or maybe you’re already familiar with its concepts. Maybe you’ve already discovered your green thumb, or maybe you’re wondering if you’re even capable of growing a single bean. (Hint: You are! Do we need to do another goofy pep-talk?)
Wherever you’re at, I believe there’s something in these pages for you. As you read through the ideas inside, remember the power of the seed being planted. With dedication and nurturing, a seed brings incredible rewards.
Dr. Seuss may have been writing children’s books, but he was really onto something when he wrote about the power of a single seed:
Plant the seed in the middle of town, where everyone can see. Change the way things are. I know it may seem small and insignificant, but it's not about what it is, it's about what it can become.
~ Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
A seed becomes a plant, which leads to more seeds, which leads to more plants. And eventually … it becomes a forest.
In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Thought is the seed of action.”
As thoughts become actions, with consistency, it all builds up to an abundant and satisfying harvest. That’s the circle of life, friend! Multiplication. Abundance. So on and so forth.
So. Are you ready? Let’s plant the seed.
