What do you think?
Rate this book
The Permaculture Handbook: Garden Farming for Town and Country
The urban landscape has swallowed vast swaths of prime farmland across North America. Imagine how much more self-reliant our communities would be if thirty million acres of lawns were made productive again. Permaculture is a practical way to apply ecological design principles to food, housing, and energy systems, making growing fruits, vegetables, and livestock easier and more sustainable.
The Permaculture Handbook is a step-by-step, beautifully illustrated guide to creating resilient and prosperous households and neighborhoods, complemented by extensive case studies of three successful farmsteads and market gardens. This comprehensive manual casts garden farming as both an economic opportunity and a strategy for living well with less money. It shows how, by mimicking the intelligence of nature and applying appropriate technologies such as solar and environmental design, permaculture can:
Create an abundance of fresh, nourishing local produce Reduce dependence on expensive, polluting fossil fuels Drought-proof our cities and countryside Convert waste into wealth
Permaculture is about working with the earth and with each other to repair the damage of industrial overreach and to enrich the living world that sustains us. The Permaculture Handbook is the definitive practical North American guide to this revolutionary practice, and is a must-read for anyone concerned about creating food security, resilience, and a legacy of abundance rather than depletion.
Peter Bane is a permaculture teacher and site designer who has published and edited Permaculture Activist magazine for over twenty years. He helped create Earthaven Ecovillage in North Carolina, and is now pioneering suburban farming in Bloomington, Indiana.
The Permaculture Handbook is a step-by-step, beautifully illustrated guide to creating resilient and prosperous households and neighborhoods, complemented by extensive case studies of three successful farmsteads and market gardens. This comprehensive manual casts garden farming as both an economic opportunity and a strategy for living well with less money. It shows how, by mimicking the intelligence of nature and applying appropriate technologies such as solar and environmental design, permaculture can:
Create an abundance of fresh, nourishing local produce Reduce dependence on expensive, polluting fossil fuels Drought-proof our cities and countryside Convert waste into wealth
Permaculture is about working with the earth and with each other to repair the damage of industrial overreach and to enrich the living world that sustains us. The Permaculture Handbook is the definitive practical North American guide to this revolutionary practice, and is a must-read for anyone concerned about creating food security, resilience, and a legacy of abundance rather than depletion.
Peter Bane is a permaculture teacher and site designer who has published and edited Permaculture Activist magazine for over twenty years. He helped create Earthaven Ecovillage in North Carolina, and is now pioneering suburban farming in Bloomington, Indiana.
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2012
142 people are currently reading
1110 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 5, 2022
Coming soon to a farm near you: me and all my friends start a homestead
August 31, 2017
I found this book less helpful than many others for learning about and applying permaculture principles and practices. Bane is at once didactic (“you should” appears often) and oddly poetic and idealistic at times, once describing the garden as a lover that you take into your body and learn its signs of arousal, and suggesting that suburbanites (and others) embrace shared living, community labour and mealtimes, a farm stand in one’s front yard, and that we ask the neighbors not to spray biocides on their property (as this request is in line with best practices and “not controversial”). A few chapters are overtly political: sections on genetically modified crops, Monsanto, Big Pharma, the ethics of meat-eating, etc.. There is quite a lot of detail on plant propagation and grafting, seed starting and saving, how to plant a tree, and the “garden farming pattern language” (of which there are 68 elements), which still mystifies me. I was also very confused by Chapter 11, Soil, which went into the Oxygen-Ethylene Cycle of aerobic and anaerobic plant nutrients in far too much depth. The diagrams and photos, almost all black and white, are unappealing. On the other hand, the four case studies included are detailed, personal, interesting and offer the only colour photos in the book; setting include the Colorado Rockies, Ontario, Harrisonburg VA, and Bloomington IN (his garden farm). His section on animals for the garden farm will be useful to someone considering this, and Chapter 4, Permaculture Principles, is a good overview. I particularly felt that the Living with Wildlife and Trees and Shrubs chapters were the most interesting. I skimmed the last 4 or 5 chapters, as they seemed to repeat what had already been said.
January 23, 2016
Quite thorough investigation into diverse peri and suburban design methods for connected sustainable systems. I borrowed from the library, and will be purchasing for permanent culture development plans.
January 8, 2024
Book #35 of 2023. "The Permaculture Handbook" by Peter Bane. 3/5 rating.
This is a textbook about some of the practical basics of permaculture on small-scale agriculture.
Permaculture is a type of agriculture that revolves around self-reliance and the ability to close waste streams by using these as a way to improve the farm or garden.
-"These permaculture ethics are often shortened to the mnemonic phrase 'EarthCare, PeopleCare, FairShare, and LimitsAware.'"
This includes using different plant stalks or non-fruiting portions as mulch, focusing on multi-use plants, and integrating animals into the farm to build soil health. The possibilities to build guilds that reinforce each other's strengths are nearly endless.
As somewhat of an introduction, this book focused on some of the tenets of permaculture, especially in garden farms on plots much smaller than today's farms. The largest idea he is offering is focused mainly on the ability to live off of what is available from your land (or nearly so), though he does also talk somewhat about selling product. I'm hoping that this will help me in the future when I get land to farm! :)
Some great quotes:
"The conventional culture encourages us to imagine that there is a place called away where unwanted things go, but in reality away is simply out of sight or invisible in plain sight. We must change our behavior to act as though we all live downstream, because we do."
"Noticing services, which are freely given, helps us understand the many functions that each element of landscape can provide. Almost everything has many potential functions, and the success of small-scale systems depends on observant and artful design to use them."
"We wanted to create a productive landscape that would provide us abundant and nourishing food in all seasons, that had comfortable and functional spaces for working and living both indoors and out and that would enable us to shrink our carbon footprint as close as possible to zero within five years while we earned our livelihood at home."
"To design permaculture systems, you must be able to think holistically or multidimensionally."
This is a textbook about some of the practical basics of permaculture on small-scale agriculture.
Permaculture is a type of agriculture that revolves around self-reliance and the ability to close waste streams by using these as a way to improve the farm or garden.
-"These permaculture ethics are often shortened to the mnemonic phrase 'EarthCare, PeopleCare, FairShare, and LimitsAware.'"
This includes using different plant stalks or non-fruiting portions as mulch, focusing on multi-use plants, and integrating animals into the farm to build soil health. The possibilities to build guilds that reinforce each other's strengths are nearly endless.
As somewhat of an introduction, this book focused on some of the tenets of permaculture, especially in garden farms on plots much smaller than today's farms. The largest idea he is offering is focused mainly on the ability to live off of what is available from your land (or nearly so), though he does also talk somewhat about selling product. I'm hoping that this will help me in the future when I get land to farm! :)
Some great quotes:
"The conventional culture encourages us to imagine that there is a place called away where unwanted things go, but in reality away is simply out of sight or invisible in plain sight. We must change our behavior to act as though we all live downstream, because we do."
"Noticing services, which are freely given, helps us understand the many functions that each element of landscape can provide. Almost everything has many potential functions, and the success of small-scale systems depends on observant and artful design to use them."
"We wanted to create a productive landscape that would provide us abundant and nourishing food in all seasons, that had comfortable and functional spaces for working and living both indoors and out and that would enable us to shrink our carbon footprint as close as possible to zero within five years while we earned our livelihood at home."
"To design permaculture systems, you must be able to think holistically or multidimensionally."
June 24, 2020
In depth guide to permaculture concepts
I heard the term "permaculture" in a webinar and checked out several library books to learn more. This book was a great factual, intellectual book on the theories and motivations for permaculture. It was an excellent companion to the other books I read, because it filled in the gaps.
The writing is easy to read and tends to a more academic tone than other permaculture books I've read. I learned a ton and love the idea of mapping a property, identifying zones and sectors, planning instead of just trying something. His take to soil fertility is different as well, and I've got a ton of new books on my wishlist from his footnotes.
I heard the term "permaculture" in a webinar and checked out several library books to learn more. This book was a great factual, intellectual book on the theories and motivations for permaculture. It was an excellent companion to the other books I read, because it filled in the gaps.
The writing is easy to read and tends to a more academic tone than other permaculture books I've read. I learned a ton and love the idea of mapping a property, identifying zones and sectors, planning instead of just trying something. His take to soil fertility is different as well, and I've got a ton of new books on my wishlist from his footnotes.
June 2, 2022
To be honest, this got weird. It’s a permaculture book and I expected to learn how to tier plants so that you can get maximum yield in the garden. Instead, this started to get bizarre when you were told to listen and observe the land (not weird) and maybe take a nap on the land and observe what you notice in the trance between wakefulness and sleep (that’s the weird bit). I understand learning about your property, where it’s warmer, where the snow melts first, water patterns, soil erosion, and such. But listening to your intuitive gut about underground water…weird! I didn’t get much further than this while reading and decided to put it down.
October 16, 2020
A description is given of the basic principles of permaculture, the science of how nature's material is inter-related. Numerous farming patterns are given based on various combinations of their permaculture zones. Thankful to have read this clear and concise book; permaculture may sound intimidating, but Peter makes it less of a challenge. In fact, it's very applicable and lively how he writes about this topic in this book. I can't truly rate this book properly as this is the first book on permaculture I've ever read (doesn't seem too different from other pro ecology-books).
September 30, 2021
Good overview
If you're new to the idea of permaculture, this book covers all the basis and will suggest jumping off points for areas of future study while reminding the reader that you are looking at sustained effort.
It's probably better to digest a chunk at a time; I found the opening section a hard slog. The later chapters focus on practical and actionable matters with varied examples of permaculture design in use.
If you're new to the idea of permaculture, this book covers all the basis and will suggest jumping off points for areas of future study while reminding the reader that you are looking at sustained effort.
It's probably better to digest a chunk at a time; I found the opening section a hard slog. The later chapters focus on practical and actionable matters with varied examples of permaculture design in use.
July 5, 2020
Geared toward commercial
There was some good information but too detailed for me on a larger scale than I can afford. It gives a good overview on a lot of permaculture principles but it is too comprehensive for me. It told how to plan and build a roadside market and gray water collection and compost toilets. I found it too detailed and boring and finally started skipping portions.
I checked the book out of the library.
There was some good information but too detailed for me on a larger scale than I can afford. It gives a good overview on a lot of permaculture principles but it is too comprehensive for me. It told how to plan and build a roadside market and gray water collection and compost toilets. I found it too detailed and boring and finally started skipping portions.
I checked the book out of the library.
September 30, 2022
A brilliant and ultimately useful resource for the way we will all need to live in the future. Bane provides the theoretical background for permaculture, but most importantly hundreds of pages of how-to tips from everything to growing food to tool collections to what kinds of breeds of animals to raise and how to make friends with your neighbors. Buy it and keep it around!
January 21, 2024
While the title suggests a handbook, it contains part manifesto, part encyclopedia, and part handbook. If I knew what I was getting into before reading it I may have enjoyed it more. However, the manifesto and encyclopedic portions felt gratuitous and distracted from the more practical parts. The case studies were well written up and also added to the usefulness and enjoyability of the book.
February 13, 2025
4/5 I haven’t completely finished reading this book as the due date of my loan eventuated before its completion. Despite only managing to read about half of this book I can confidently say it offers a bevy of information on multiple levels of permaculture. I will definitely revisit this loan.
October 2, 2017
One of the better permaculture books
September 12, 2020
A good general intro to permaculture - very American focused - and a few apocalyptic bits which seem completely unnecessary - but a good starter and reference book.
February 3, 2021
Does not really add anything new for the suburban farmer, compared to the boundless set of permaculture books
May 5, 2021
Covers every part of a single family permaculture system peter bane has encountered making it somewhat of a "kitchen sink" permaculture book. Well worth having as it has quite a few insights.
April 1, 2024
Pretty good. Lot of great ideas. Only thing that was a negative if anything, was just the climate change nonsense in the political sort of way.
May 23, 2020
I just have to resign myself; I will make mistakes the first and second year of staring up my urban homestead.
It’s difficult to accept failure, but it’s the doing it being with the soil and seeing how happy the earthworms are that is so rewarding and hopeful.
I’ve already made so many mistakes with the orchard garden, this book helped me avoid more future risk to the orchard.
A very good read.
It’s difficult to accept failure, but it’s the doing it being with the soil and seeing how happy the earthworms are that is so rewarding and hopeful.
I’ve already made so many mistakes with the orchard garden, this book helped me avoid more future risk to the orchard.
A very good read.
March 1, 2013
If the major infrastructure in our country (water, electricity, roads, etc) ever falls apart, this is a book that you will want to have on your shelf. The Permaculture Handbook is, among other things, a guide to off-the-grid living. There is a lot of detail, and the author has obviously thought through just about every aspect of that kind of life. And has lived it himself, for quite a while.
This book was interesting, but a little bit beyond the scope of what I was looking for. The author also has the annoying habit of assuming that all of his readers would share his strong political beliefs and worldview. I think that is unfortunate, because it could alienate some people who would otherwise be interested in his practical advice. But really, this guy is not one for just doling out practical advice, although he does a fair bit of that--he is a visionary and revolutionary who wants to change the very roots of our way of life. (haha, pun intended) And he has some good things to say about community and being connected to the land and each other.
This book was interesting, but a little bit beyond the scope of what I was looking for. The author also has the annoying habit of assuming that all of his readers would share his strong political beliefs and worldview. I think that is unfortunate, because it could alienate some people who would otherwise be interested in his practical advice. But really, this guy is not one for just doling out practical advice, although he does a fair bit of that--he is a visionary and revolutionary who wants to change the very roots of our way of life. (haha, pun intended) And he has some good things to say about community and being connected to the land and each other.
June 17, 2013
Well, I can't say this book itself was amazing to be honest, but it WAS very well written and laid out, and really it was amazing that the title of the book so aptly describes its function. So often a "handbook" is just a bland overview of something that you'll never really go back to because of its simplicity. This is a great handbook, and doesn't just give you "teaser" information like so many permaculture books do. The information is useful, and gives room for other opinions and knowledge on the subject. At the same time it isn't so detailed that you loose interest, or the ability to pick it up and put it down as a reference.
August 17, 2016
Essentially a *textbook* on the fundamentals of permaculture and how they can be applied to a suburban/exurban landscape. It's less of a how-to book and more of a breakdown of the big ideas of permaculture, but written in a clear, easy-to-follow way. I'd recommend putting a few more basic homesteading/back-to-the-land books under your belt before diving into this one, but there's a lot of great material to help generate ideas for your garden or small farm
December 15, 2013
I only skimmed it because I had it on loan from the library. Even with a fairly brief read I found quite a few interesting ideas. It has a nice balance between practical hands on advice, theory and stories which I found helpful as they provided new ways of framing problems.
If you were only going to have one book on permaculture this would be a reasonable choice.
If you were only going to have one book on permaculture this would be a reasonable choice.
January 12, 2015
it wasn't what I was looking for
November 9, 2014
Amazing and informative book. Covers all the bases if you want to start a homesteading/permaculture life. Reads like a textbook.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2015
One of the best books on permaculture I have read. This book was very applicable to small scale farmers (quarter acre to five acres). Top of my list!
May 27, 2016
Nothing particularly wonderful about this one, though it is as good an introduction as any to permaculture. Frankly, it is not a handbook, by size nor content. It is really more of a primer.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews