Food System

Permaculture: a Mediterranean perspective on regenerative and sustainable living

April 13, 2025

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In the Mediterranean context – particularly in Sicily, where ancient agricultural traditions meet rugged landscapes and intense sunlight – permaculture offers a regenerative approach to designing sustainable systems. Rooted in the principles of ecological balance and resilience, it draws from nature’s patterns to guide the development of integrated food production, water management, and community structures.

Originally conceptualized in 1970s Australia by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, permaculture has grown beyond its focus on ‘permanent agriculture’ to encompass a broader philosophy of ‘permanent culture’, bridging environmental, social, and economic spheres. In Sicily, this evolution resonates deeply, inspiring locally adapted practices that reconnect people with the land and promote long-term sustainability. (1)

Table of Contents

Origins and evolution of permaculture

The term ‘permaculture’ originated as a synthesis created by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the mid-1970s to describe ‘an integrated and evolving system of perennial or self-perpetuating plant and animal species useful to man’ (Permacultura, 2022). Initially meaning ‘permanent agriculture’, the concept has expanded significantly over its nearly 50-year history.

As stated in the document, ‘a more current definition of permaculture, which reflects the broadening of its implicit focus in ‘Permaculture One,’ is ‘consciously designed landscapes that reproduce the patterns and relationships found in nature, capable of producing abundant food, fiber, and energy to provide for local needs‘ (Permacultura, 2022).

This evolution from ‘permanent agriculture’ to ‘permanent culture’ reflects the comprehensive nature of permaculture, which recognizes that sustainable food systems cannot exist in isolation from sustainable human culture. The document emphasizes that ‘People, their buildings, and the ways they organize themselves are central to permaculture’ (Permacultura, 2022).

Core ethics and principles

Permaculture is built upon three foundational ethical principles that guide all design decisions:

care for the earth – ensuring all life systems can continue and multiply;
care for people – providing access to resources necessary for human existence;
fair share (or ‘setting limits to consumption and redistributing surplus’) – recognizing limits to growth and consumption while ensuring equitable distribution of resources.

These ethics are implemented through twelve design principles, which serve as practical guidelines for permaculture practitioners:

observe and interact – taking time to engage with nature to design solutions that suit the particular situation. As the document poetically states, ‘beauty is in the eyes of who looks’ (Permacultura, 2022).
catch and store energy – developing systems that collect resources when abundant for use in times of need. The traditional wisdom captured in ‘make hay while the sun shines’ encapsulates this principle perfectly;
obtain a yield – ensuring that you are getting truly useful rewards as part of the work you are doing. The document reminds us that ‘you can’t work on an empty stomach’ (Permacultura, 2022);
apply self-regulation and accept feedback – discouraging inappropriate activity to ensure systems continue to function well. The document references the biblical wisdom that ‘the sins of the fathers affect children to the seventh generation’ to emphasize how current actions impact future conditions;
use and value renewable resources – making the best use of nature’s abundance to reduce consumption and dependence on non-renewable resources. The principle is captured in the phrase ‘let nature take its course’;
produce no waste – valuing and making use of all resources available, ensuring nothing goes to waste. The folk wisdom ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ emphasizes preventative action;
design from patterns to details – observing patterns in nature and society and using them to inform design, then filling in the details as the system develops. ‘Trees don’t make a forest’ reminds us that individual elements must be understood in relation to the whole;
integrate rather than segregate – putting the right things in the right place so relationships develop between elements and they work together to support each other. ‘Many hands make light work’ emphasizes the power of cooperation;
use small and slow solutions – small and slow systems are easier to maintain, make better use of local resources, and produce more sustainable outcomes. ‘The bigger they are, the harder they fall’ warns against oversized, unsustainable systems;
use and value diversity – diversity reduces vulnerability and takes advantage of the unique nature of the environment in which it resides. ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’ captures the risk-reduction aspect of diversity;
use edges and value the marginal – the interface between things is where the most interesting events take place; these are often the most valuable, diverse, and productive elements in the system. ‘Don’t think you’re on the right path just because it’s well-traveled’ encourages innovative thinking beyond conventional approaches;
creatively use and respond to change – we can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing and then intervening at the right time. The document encourages us to ‘Learn to see things not only as they are but as they will be’ (Permacultura, 2022).

Zone planning: an efficient framework for permaculture design

Permaculture employs a zone system for efficient land-use planning. As the document explains, ‘zone planning means arranging elements of a system according to frequency of use and maintenance’ (Permacultura, 2022). This approach organizes the landscape into concentric areas, with the most frequently visited areas closest to the center of activity:

Zone 00. A uniquely Italian addition to permaculture theory, Zone 00 represents the self – the individual practitioner. ‘Zone 00 is ourselves, and this reminds us how important it is to start from ourselves for any change’ (Permacultura, 2022). This emphasizes personal development as the foundation of all sustainable design;
Zone 0. The house or main building – the center of activity. When designing a home itself, Zone 0 helps identify high-traffic areas within the building to optimize for comfort and efficiency;
Zone 1. The area closest to the house, intensively managed and visited daily. Ideal for herb gardens, salad vegetables, small animals like rabbits, frequently used tools, rainwater collection, and composting systems. ‘The more uncomfortable your garden is to get to, the more neglected it will be’ (Permacultura, 2022);
Zone 2. Still visited frequently but less intensively managed than Zone 1. Suitable for larger vegetable plots, perennial plants like asparagus and artichokes, fruit trees requiring regular pruning or treatment, and compost systems if not wanted too close to the house;
Zone 3. The farming zone, requiring less frequent visits. Appropriate for field crops, larger fruit trees, and grazing animals. This area might be visited weekly rather than daily;
Zone 4. A semi-wild area, visited infrequently. Used for gathering wild foods, timber collection, and passive observation of natural systems. This serves as a transitional area between managed systems and wilderness;
Zone 5. Wilderness area with no human intervention except for observation and meditation. ‘Leaving a Zone 5 allows us to observe and discover natural dynamics, which will be useful in managing other zones’ (Permacultura, 2022). This zone serves as a benchmark for natural processes and a reservoir of biodiversity.

The document emphasizes the importance of considering the relationships between zones: ‘when identifying these zones, pay particular attention to the relationships between one and another. When we make our daily journeys, we could optimize movements with good design’ (Permacultura, 2022).

Practical applications and techniques

The permaculture chicken: a study in multi-functionality

One of the most illustrative examples in the document contrasts industrial chicken farming with the permaculture approach, highlighting the difference between reductive industrial thinking and holistic permaculture design.

The industrial battery hen exists in a highly energy-intensive system focused solely on egg production. As the document describes, this system requires ‘cereals grown intensively with great use of tractors (and other agricultural machinery), fertilizers, pesticides, and chemical herbicides’ (Permacultura, 2022). Additionally, the feed often contains protein supplements made from fish meal or soy, ‘often imported from poor countries, where the local population suffers from protein deficiencies’ (Permacultura, 2022). The document notes that soy is often grown on deforested land and is predominantly GMO.

This industrial approach requires substantial water resources, continuous illumination, forced ventilation, and mechanized equipment, consuming vast amounts of fossil fuel energy and producing significant pollution. The document emphasizes that ‘the only thing that is considered is egg production’ (Permacultura, 2022).

In stark contrast, the ‘permaculture chicken’ serves multiple functions within an integrated system:

transforms food scraps into eggs;
levels leaves and dry matter;
assists in creating compost;
fertilizes approximately 5 square meters in a month;
works about 1 square meter of soil per week;
interrupts pest life cycles within an hour;
clears approximately 10 square meters of pests in a week;
produces manure (which can generate methane);
produces feathers;
reproduces to create more chickens;
produces eggs;
at the end of its life, provides compost and meat.

This example perfectly illustrates one of permaculture’s core principles: each element in a system should serve multiple functions, and each function should be supported by multiple elements. The permaculture approach transforms the chicken from a single-purpose production unit into an integral part of a diverse, interconnected system.

‘Lasagna garden’: building soil through layering

The ‘lasagna garden’ technique demonstrates permaculture’s approach to building soil fertility through layering organic materials, creating a raised bed that requires no digging:

‘the lasagna garden system is created by overlaying organic materials in layers. The decomposition of the layered materials will form fertile soil, which is maintained over time without requiring subsequent processing. A system with an excellent ability to retain moisture thanks to the layers and final mulching’ (Permacultura, 2022).

The document outlines a specific layering process:

branches (optional bottom layer) for drainage and aeration;
cardboard base to suppress existing vegetation;
thin layer of soil to inoculate the system with soil microorganisms;
layer of mature manure for nitrogen;
‘brown’ organic layer (carbon-rich materials like leaves, straw, or shredded paper);
‘green’ organic layer (nitrogen-rich materials like kitchen scraps or fresh plant trimmings);
another ‘brown’ organic layer;
soil and compost on top;
straw mulch as final cover.

Key practices for the ‘lasagna garden’ include:

wetting each layer during construction to begin the decomposition process;
never stepping on the bed to maintain soil structure and aeration;
waiting several weeks before planting to allow initial decomposition and stabilization of temperature;
adding new layers annually to maintain fertility.

This method offers significant advantages: ‘the lasagna garden must be prepared at least three weeks before sowing or transplanting, so that excessive fermentation does not damage seeds or seedlings. The longer you wait, the more stable the temperature of the mound will be’ (Permacultura, 2022).

‘Synergic garden’: cooperating with nature

The ‘synergic garden’ approach, developed by Emilia Hazelip based on permaculture principles, focuses on cultivating soil fertility through plant relationships rather than external inputs. The document describes this as ‘a holistic approach to the land and the act of cultivation, to rediscover ourselves as an active and conscious part of the ecosystem we inhabit’ (Permacultura, 2022).

Key features of the synergic garden include:

raised beds (bancali). ‘Long tongues of raised earth, which we will never step on’ (Permacultura, n.d.), often following curved shapes. These beds are accessed via designated pathways to prevent soil compaction;
heavy mulching: using straw and other organic materials to protect the soil from extreme temperatures, prevent erosion, maintain moisture, and gradually add organic matter as it decomposes;
permanent support structures. ‘Permanent tutors that offer a guide to plants that develop in height’ (Permacultura, n.d.), such as arch structures made with iron rods or wooden stakes with bamboo canes, providing support for climbing plants;
biodiversity and plant associations. The document strongly emphasizes the importance of diversity: ‘in nature (and not only!) diversity and variety are always a source of exchange and wealth’ (Permacultura, 2022), contrasting this with the ‘disastrous effects of intensive monocultures’.

The synergic garden requires specific plant combinations in every bed:

liliaceae. ‘In every bed, there must always be at least one variety of liliaceae, which will perform an antibacterial and nematocidal function, forming a protective barrier for other plants’ (Permacultura, 2022). This includes plants like onions and garlic;
legumes. ‘It is a good habit to always grow legumes, never forgetting beans in the hot season and broad beans in the cold season’ (Permacultura, 2022). These plants host bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, providing essential nutrients for other plants;
aromatic herbs. Plants like sage, rosemary, savory, lavender, thyme, and oregano, which ‘with their pungent smell, offer a valid protective barrier from harmful insects’ (Permacultura, 2022).
flowering plants: Flowers like marigold, calendula, and nasturtium attract beneficial insects and pollinators while repelling harmful pests.

The document emphasizes that the synergic approach requires a shift in mindset: ‘learn to give up some of our desire for control and order, which doesn’t suit a synergic garden!’ (Permacultura, 2022). Rather than fighting against nature, practitioners are encouraged to observe, interact, and adapt.

Harvesting in the synergic garden

The document provides specific guidance on harvesting techniques that maintain the integrity of the permaculture system:

‘In a synergic garden, plants should not be uprooted, but cut: fruits (eggplants, tomatoes, green beans, etc.) should be harvested leaving space for new blooms and new fruits, until the complete end of the plant’s life cycle, and only then should it be cut at the height of the collar. The roots left in the soil will nourish it, while the aerial part can be reused, depending on the case, for macerates or as new mulch’ (Permacultura, 2022).

For leafy vegetables, the document recommends: ‘Leafy vegetables such as salads, chicory, or escarole can be harvested by cutting the leaves two or three fingers from the collar, allowing the plant to offer us new harvests, smaller but no less tasty’ (Permacultura, 2022).

This approach maximizes yield while building soil fertility and minimizing disruption to the system – a perfect example of permaculture’s principle of obtaining multiple yields from the same elements.

Philosophy and mindset: beyond techniques

Beyond specific techniques, permaculture represents a philosophical approach to living in harmony with natural systems. The document emphasizes that permaculture is ‘a direction, not a destination’ (Permacultura, 2022), encouraging practitioners to develop resilience, observational skills, and the ability to work with rather than against natural processes.

Several key philosophical points run throughout the document:

’work with and not against nature’. This fundamental principle encourages practitioners to observe natural patterns and work within them rather than fighting against them;
’the problem is the solution’. This mindset shift encourages viewing challenges as opportunities, recognizing that ‘everything constitutes a positive resource, it’s up to us to find a way to use it as such’ (Permacultura, 2022);
’implement minimum effort to achieve maximum results’. Referencing the Pareto principle, the document notes that ‘often we invest time, effort, and money in something that will not bring results, instead with the right knowledge and priorities we will be able to achieve the best results’ (Permacultura, 2022);
‘the production of a system is theoretically unlimited’. This optimistic principle recognizes that creative design continually reveals new possibilities, stating that ‘where one thinks one has exhausted the uses of an area, any other designer will bring an improvement’ (Permacultura, 2022).

The document also emphasizes the importance of resilience and creativity in the face of change: ‘the twelfth principle of permaculture wants to encourage people to become resilient, that is, to develop the ability to modify and adapt to changes and to do so in a creative and positive way’ (Permacultura, 2022).

Bill Mollison is quoted saying, ‘despite the problems of the world becoming increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple’ (Permacultura, 2022), highlighting the accessible yet profound nature of permaculture solutions.

The document concludes with this powerful thought: ‘Our capacity for observation and perception, our respectful action, and our capacity for resilience are the most precious fruits that we will know how to cultivate and harvest in the synergic garden’ (Permacultura, 2022).

Interim conclusions

Permaculture offers a comprehensive framework for designing sustainable systems that integrate human needs with ecological principles. By applying permaculture’s ethics and design principles, practitioners can create productive landscapes that build soil, conserve water, increase biodiversity, and provide for human needs while regenerating rather than depleting natural resources.

The document emphasizes that permaculture is not just a set of techniques but a way of thinking that can transform our relationship with the natural world. Through careful observation, thoughtful design, and respect for natural processes, permaculture provides a pathway to creating truly sustainable human settlements within the carrying capacity of our planet.

As permaculture continues to evolve after nearly five decades of development, it remains a vital framework for addressing many of the most pressing ecological and social challenges of our time, offering practical solutions grounded in natural wisdom.

Dario Dongo