La permaculture. Une brève introduction.

by Graham Burnett

La permaculture, terme inventé en Australie dans les années 1970, consiste à créer des habitats soutenables pour les humains en suivant les modèles de la nature. C’est le design écologique appliqué, d’abord, à l’agriculture, mais aussi à l’habitation, à la vie domestique et au développement local. Dans ce micro-manuel vivant et abondamment illustré, Graham Burnett expose les principes du « design » présents dans les systèmes naturels qu’il faut s’employer à imiter : abondance de bordures et de zones de transition, fonctions multiples et successives, cycles, autosuffisance. L’idée est de travailler avec la nature et non contre elle, en minimisant l’effort requis (niveau d’intervention optimal pour l’auteur : « ne rien faire »). La permaculture montre bien sûr comment gérer un éco-jardin, composter et créer une mini forêt nourricière, mais aussi comment mettre en place graduellement un système d’échanges locaux ou créer une entreprise, en maximisant les interactions utiles. Ce nouveau classique du design écologique, dont la facture rappelle le fameux Whole Earth Catalog que l’on retrouvait dans toutes les communes des années 1970, a connu trois éditions depuis sa première parution en Angleterre, il y a 15 ans. Il paraît pour la première fois en français. « Une introduction simple et enlevante, un outil très utile et important. »― Rob Hopkins, foundateur du mouvement de Transition

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

142 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2008

Reviews

[Emma Cooper]

When I first read 'Permaculture: A Beginners Guide', I was a true permaculture newbie. I'd heard the word, and knew about herb spirals, but that was about it. I wanted to know more about this fascinating way to design sustainable and productive gardens (and more!) and am so glad I stumbled upon Graham Burnett's helpful and friendly book because it is the perfect introduction to permaculture.

With his years of practical permaculture experience showing on every page, you know that Graham is 'walking the walk' rather than 'talking the talk', which gives you the confidence to take in these news ideas. His illustrations are entertaining and the 'hand made' ethos of the book makes it completely unintimidating for the uninitiated.

Years on, Graham's book is still one of my favourites and is regularly pulled out when I want to look something up - the information it contains is pertinent and well presented and easy to find. Even though I am no longer a newbie, I dig it out when I need to feel inspired, and it never fails to work.

[Suleiman Arabiat]

The book meets its title: It's a beginner's guide, so do not buy it if you're not an absolute beginner.

It is a generalized book, with a few arguments, some explanations, and a few examples from here and there. Nothing in depth, and no real meat in design or any other detail of permaculture.

Nonetheless since it rises up to its name, it introduces a complete beginner (like me) to the world and the definitions of permaculture, its many designs, its many aspects, and its many applications.

I recommend it for totally urban people before the delve deeper into the topic. And its a quite short and quick read.

[Kaelin Sol]

Absolute must read for anyone who wants to make a positive change towards the future.

[Theresa]

It is very very short but so incredibly inspiring. I really thoroughly enjoyed it and it really made me want to start my own project. It is definitely a good place to start if you want to know more about permaculture.

[Virginia Angiolini]

Great little book. Full of very interesting insights about this world. I am a real beginner so I enjoyed it as its maximum potential.
I give four stars because some of the contents are too lost in the drawings and not very readable, but with a little eye-effort they can be understood.
Also in some parts the font is too small to keep all the contents in one page (idea that I appreciate but that makes these important concepts impossible to read for a specific target such as elderly people that might be interest ed in approaching this lovely way of living).

I enjoyed the drawings though as this kind of topics cannot be discussed only with words. A book I will definitely open again and again when I will have a garden.

[Benjamin Hollis]

A good first step into permaculture, covering the bases of the fundamental theory and applying it to all different parts of life. Has some practical tips for gardening which seem to be arbitrarily included. You'll quickly want to move on to something with more substance.

[NormaJean]

A concise ditty, and enjoyable. I especially appreciated the creative use of illustrations throughout. I found that the diagrams very much enhanced my ability to understand the information.

A very motivating book.

[Michael]

Nice concise intro to permaculture to give an overview of what it's all about. My favourite quote: "You haven't got an excess of slugs, you've got a duck deficiency"

[Julie Boudreau]

Même si je mets en pratique les principes de la permaculture depuis une vingtaine d'années, c'est le premier livre que je lis sur le sujet et il m'a franchement déçu.
D'abord pour sa mauvaise traduction (sustainable n'est pas "soutenable", mais bien durable). Ensuite parce qu'on prétend que c'est une adaptation pour le Québec. Une autre demi-vérité. Quatre lignes sur les fêtes des semences n'en font pas un livre adapté pour le Québec. Au Québec, on ne pratique pas le recépage et on ne plante pas des arbres fruitiers em mars!
Ensuite et plus que tout, malheureusement, c'est une mauvaise introduction au sujet. Mal structuré avec beaucoup d'informations inexactes et de chiffres erronés. Il donne au lecteur une impression de propagante appuyée sur des données vagues. L'introduction est tant superficielle qu'un bon vieux livre de jardinage pour enfant explique mieux comment analyser et concevoir un jardin durable.
Il y a de meilleures introductions à la permaculture dans les articles sur le web.

[Francois Cloutier]

Livre intéressant sur la permaculture, mais qui manque un peu de contenu.