Brittany Country Gite

Permaculture

What is permaculture? We’re very much beginners in permaculture, so are learning ourselves. It’s certainly more than just growing vegetables and raising chickens and could be considered as a system of design. It is about creating edible ecosystems. By thoughtful planning, making connections between different aspects of our project, we hope to enjoy some of the advantages of peasant agriculture but without the drudgery.

Stuart did a permaculture design course with Patrick and Cathy Whitefield at Ragmans Lane Farm. Armed with that basic knowledge and several books, learning as we go, we will design our two-acre site (along with 11 acres of woodland) along permaculture principles. This winter we will convert the gite garden into a working example of permaculture in a small space, which will also provide guests with free herbs, vegetables and eventually fruit.

We plan to build a straw-bale house with as small an ecological footprint as possible. We have outline planning permission but, with all the other things we have to do at the moment, we won't start construction for a least a year or two. With water becoming ever more an issue, we will design a complete water system, maximising our rainwater catchment, drilling for underground water (we apparently have six sources on our land) and, most importantly, minimising our use. This will include a pond for our geese to enjoy and to increase biodiversity.

If you'd like to read more of our efforts, including both triumphs and mistakes, visit our permaculture blog and please post a comment if you want to offer advice, encouragement and inspiration or pose a question.

Read the article we wrote for Permaculture Magazine on making organic woollen duvets.

For Permaculture Magazine who also sell relevant books, click here.

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