permaculture

American  

[pur-muh-kuhl-cher] / ˈpɜr məˌkʌl tʃər /

noun

1. a system of cultivation intended to maintain permanent agriculture or horticulture by relying on renewable resources and a self-sustaining ecosystem.

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permaculture British  

/ ˈpɜːməˌkʌltʃə /

noun

1. the practice of producing food, energy, etc, using ways that do not deplete the earth's natural resources

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Other Word Forms

• permaculturalist noun
• permaculturist noun

Etymology

Origin of permaculture

First recorded in 1975–80; perma(nent) ( def. ) + (agri)culture ( def. )

Example Sentences

Every fall, Mary Bull prepares for the olive harvest at her small-scale permaculture farm, Chalice Farm, in Sonoma County, California.

From Salon

That’s how I found a cheerful tutorial by permaculture landscape designer Daryl Lindsey of Yardfarmer in Salt Lake City with a title right up my alley: “Make This EASY, FAST, DIY Water Feature for Local Wildlife!”

From Los Angeles Times

For Jessi Bloom of NW Bloom Ecological and Permaculture Design, both weeds and insects are welcome.

From Seattle Times

Worm castings are “the only fertilizer I use,” says Souyoultzis, who studied holistic garden design and permaculture design at Bastyr University in Kenmore and completed Seattle Public Utilities’ Master Composter/Sustainability Stewards program.

From Seattle Times

He said he believes promoting more local agriculture would help, along with adopting farming methods that work with nature, including the sustainable techniques of agroecology and permaculture.

From Los Angeles Times