Permaculture: A Designers' Manual

I've been tinkering with the idea of buying farm land and developing it sustainably and at a profit for the past few years and began studying the principles of permaculture two years ago to where I was at the point that I couldn't satiate my need for learning more about it, so I purchased this book. It was well worth the price tag and takes you through EVERYTHING (read Permaculture Institute & Tagari Publishing's review). I have re-read the first several chapters many times and can't stop focusing on the guiding principles behind permaculture and the need to implement these simple systems in place. No more monocultures, no more pesticides, no more squandering resources, and this book outlines how to do just that and more. It has been stressed in the works of Masanobu Fukuoka, Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan and every author of sustainable farming literature that an organic polyculture system yields more than any monoculture system especially in the instances of drought and disease. It's common sense, especially for those like myself who want to develop land and make a profit doing it to implement at least some of the basic knowledge of polycultures as an insurance policy against drought or disease, but to also add to soil health and abundance and plentiful opportunities for the food web to grow and prosper with as few inputs as possible. I can't stress enough that this book outlines how to do this with as few inputs as possible, turning it into a zero input natural ecosystem. As much as it's about digging swales, using nurse plants to their full potential and building a living abundant ecosystem, it's about being responsible for the land you own and the food you grow, it provides a better blueprint for tomorrow. One man's weed is anothers pioneer plant building nutrient dense soil for Spring peas next season. If there is one thing I look forward to more than reading this book again, it's applying the knowledge in it.

If ecology was the primary intellectual response to the environmental and agricultural crises of the twentieth century, permaculture (or permanent agriculture) was its practical application. Born in the mid-seventies, permaculture co-founder Bill Mollison defines this new field as "the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Without permaculture there is no possibility of a stable social order." In other words, permaculture is the practical science of sustainability - a whole-systems approach life in the biosphere - and this near-encyclopedic tome covers every aspect of the subject, from soil conditions to climactic factors. The only conceivable drawback of this book is that it is rather difficult to ascertain and won't come cheap. If you enjoy tracking down rare and expensive books, there are none better than Mollison's Permaculture: A Designer's Manual. Large, comprehensive and filled with helpful illustrations and explanations, it is nothing less than the permaculture bible. On the other hand, if you are on a tight budget, and do not wish to spend your time searching for an unworn copy, there are newer and more accessible titles on the subject: like the other permaculture co-founder David Holmgren's Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability, or the concise and slim Earth User's Guide to Permaculture, by Rosemary Morrow. Whatever book you choose, this fascinating subject is perhaps humanity's only hope for a sustainable (read livable) future. Should not be overlooked. An essential reference. j.w.k.

Book was in great condition, full of fantastic information!

Such an amazing book. $ is worth it and it’s a treasure to own.

Very comprhensive! This book works especially well as either a reference guide or a book to be discussed in a series of conversations with others. I have learned so much from sharing thoughts about the ideas. We discussed it in six sessions. To make it specific for your area it would be wonderful if you could also have a certified or knowledgeable permaculturalist in the discussion group. I tried to read this on my own years ago and didn't. It's not all that difficult to read but it is a BIG book, heavy and hard to carry around. I would say that it is much more interesting than any textbook you have ever encountered but is still comprehensive and thorough like a text. Considered the bible for permaculture, it's a real must to own eventually but you might not start with it. If you are just starting out and doing permaculture alone, you might start with one of the easier books from him or Gaia's Garden. Whatever you do don't start with David Holmgren's book on the topic, straight theory. Bill Mollison is much more engaging as a writer.

This is a must have book for every house. It's an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the environment, climate, gardening, farming, responsible living and lots more. Totally recommended

Mollison must be credited with promotion of the concept of Permaculture and this book is a world-wide view with enough examples to stimulate the thinking of a designer in any climate. It would be the bible for anyone working as an ecological designer on a worldwide scale. This tome includes not only a wealth of information but Mollison's personal views are given at every opportunity as well. With the breadth of his knowledge it can sometimes be helpful. That said, it is not an easy read. Mollison assumes familiarity with terminology from many disciplines, but with a scientific background it makes it all the more credible. However, since its publication, there are other books for specific climate types that provide more detail. For those living in temperate climates, particularly the NE US, Dave Jacke/Eric Toensmeier's Edible Forest Gardens is more focused. If you live and plan to practice permaculture in only such climates, it should be sufficient. For the tropics, see [...] for a manual.

I can not add much to the earlier reviews of Permaculture: A Designers' Manual by Bill Mollison, but I wanted to add another 5 star rating and a few comments. Bill Mollison is the creator of Permaculture. He walked the walk before talking the talk. Read his autobiography and you can see that his life in Tasmania, using an open mind with his experiences, gave him the experience and insight to create this system. There may have been parts of his system in other systems, but his integrated approach is workable in today's societies in many different areas from country property to a city back yard. It gives insight to weather, forests, trees, water supplies, growing zones, passive heating, and so forth. The book gives a place, a location for insights learned in other gardening and regional permaculture books.

C’est la référence par excellence !

Delivered faster than expected.

Sono rimasta assolutamente soddisfatta del servizio relativo a questo libro dalla difficile reperibilità, reso disponibile ad un prezzo molto competitivo.

As a new person researching Permaculture I find that a couple of books, this one included, are a bit more complex that I anticipated. It offers good information and I can certainly learn from this. Well packaged and delivered in a timely fashion. Nice book overall.

This is a fantastic book showing both how to grow things and how to repair damaged land anywhere in the world. But the book is much more than this - it is all about designing the most efficient and sustainable systems for plants, livestock and humans.