What if you started permaculture?

Permaculture is agriculture based on sustainable development principles, respectful of biodiversity and humans. 

It is therefore a concept based on the model of nature and its functioning. It helps us create natural places, fertile vegetable gardens, ecological and abundant.

Its advantages and disadvantages 

Permaculture has many advantages. Ranging from protecting the planet to preserving our health, here are the main advantages:

1. Preserving the planet's resources by replacing the use of fossil fuels with natural energy such as the sun and wind. By collecting rainwater to save water resources.  
2. A concept that requires less work and energy. Indeed, in permaculture the soil is not turned over, so goodbye to the shovel and wheelbarrow!
3. Contribution to biodiversity as well as the maintenance of animal and plant species. This agriculture does not oppose life, unlike traditional agriculture. Indeed, permaculture benefits from the immense diversity of nature and “works with it”. 
4. Organic cultivation therefore organic products. By following the principle of permaculture, the gardener does not use insecticides and especially no pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides. Concerned with preserving biodiversity, the permaculturist would be led to leave part of their production to pests. 
5. Health is better preserved: through consumption of organic products and hand-made cultivation. Moreover, it is an agriculture that can become a family activity and it is proven that spending time with children and/or family is a good remedy against stress.

The benefits of permaculture stem from its disadvantages.

Indeed, it is a cultivation that requires long observation of ecosystems, which can discourage many. 

Moreover, it requires a considerable supply of materials. By principle, the permaculturist uses their nearby environment. They therefore use plant waste to feed the soil, or the natural surroundings, hedges, trees for boundaries and to protect the plantation. However, these natural materials are not always sufficient. It is then necessary to buy others in stores. Taking into account the travel that creates pollution, this goes against the principle of permaculture which is based on sustainable development and respect for biodiversity. 

Finally, the proliferation of pests that destroy part of the plantation. Slugs, wireworms as well as voles are the main pests of this type of operation which allows them to protect themselves from their predator, in other words birds.

Some tips to get started

As a beginner, it is wise to follow some advice to best start your permaculture vegetable garden. Here are some tips that could be useful:

• Check the condition of your soil before starting: 

It is preferable to start your activity on rich soil. Indeed, poor soil can cause difficulties for plants to grow. To evaluate it, it is possible to observe its color: the darker it is, the healthier it is, conversely, the lighter it is, the more inputs will be needed to repair the soil. 

• Choose a good location for your vegetable garden:

It is preferable, before placing your vegetable garden, to analyze the sunlight and wind presence to be able to decide and choose the best spot. Be careful, it is necessary to do this over the year because the level of sun and wind varies depending on the seasons. 

• Prepare your watering:

Water is important for the proper development of plants. To contribute to this, it is possible to use mulching (covering the soil with manure for example) which nourishes the soil and keeps it moist. 

• Repel pests:

It is possible to combine plants so that they protect each other or to let animals cross the garden so they eat the insects.

Need help to start or improve? 

ToitChezMoi is a platform that allows housing sharing in exchange for presence or services. Leader in housing for services, the site connects Hosts who have available rooms and need services with Cohabitants offering their help in exchange for accommodation

With ToitChezMoi, people want to help you! 

As a Host, if you have a garden and neither the time nor the ability to take care of it, offer a room in exchange for the skills of a gardening enthusiast. 

For Cohabitants, supporters of agriculture, offer your services in exchange for accommodation with a ToitChezMoi Host. 

Thus, each party finds an advantage in this concept. On one side, the Cohabitant can stay for free at the person's place, sharing their knowledge and providing manual help. On the other side, the person owning the green space benefits from support present at home, who can teach them more about gardening.

ToitChezMoi reconciles everyone's needs in a spirit of solidarity and sharing.