Permaculture is a verbal marriage of "permanent" and "agriculture". Australian Bill Mollison pioneered its development. Key features include: <BR>-- use of compatible perennials; <BR>-- non-invasive planting techniques; <BR>-- emphasis on biodiversity; <BR>-- specifically adaptable to local climate, landscape, and soil conditions; <BR>-- highly productive output of edibles.<P>Now, picture your backyard as one incredibly lush garden, filled with edible flowers, bursting with fruit and berries, and carpeted w scented herbs and tangy salad greens. The visual impact is of Monet's palette, a wash of color, texture, and hue. But this is no still life. The flowers nurture endangered pollinators. Bright-featured songbirds feed on abundant berries and gather twigs for their nests.<P>The plants themselves are grouped in natural communities, where each species plays a role in building soil, deterring pests, storing nutrients, and luring beneficial insects. And finally, you — good ol' homo sapiens — are an integral part of the scene. Your garden tools are resting against a nearby tree, and have a slight patina of rust, because this garden requires so little maintenance. You recline into a hammock to admire your work. You have created a garden paradise.<P>This is no dream, but rather an ecological garden, which takes the principles of permaculture and applies them on a home-scale. There is nothing technical, intrusive, secretive, or expensive about this form of gardening. All that is required is some botanical knowledge (which is in this book) and a mindset that defines a backyard paradise as something other than a carpet of grass fed by MiracleGro.

"Gaia" (not in the glossary) refers to the view that the Earth is a living, interconnected organism. The associate editor of The Permaculture Activist, who gardens in Southern Oregon, treats gardens as backyard ecosystems. The book includes organic garden design illustrations, and such useful information as the differences between immature and mature ecosystems, a garden designer's checklist, plants for attracting wildlife, and resources.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Toby Hemenway teaches permaculture and consults and lectures on ecological design throughout the country. His writing has appeared in magazines such as Whole Earth Review, Natural Home, Permaculture Activist, and Kitchen Gardener. He worked in biotechnology for a number of years before moving into permaculture. He was the editor of Permaculture Activist for five years and is currently working to develop urban sustainability resources in Portland, Oregon where he lives.