“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice”

Anton Chekhov

Books to build a better world

There have been thousands of books written that have inspired, motivated and jolted people into some sort of positive political, social or cultural action as a means of trying to develop a future based on equality, well being, and sound ecology. As we are exiting the infinite growth paradigm, and the end of our current monetary system, we feel that there is a need to look at a diverse range of methods and practices in order to move towards the world we would all like to see. Permaculture is one of the things we feel is really important. Check out these great books to find out more.

Permaculture Books

A Practical Guide to Small-Scale, Integrative Farming and Gardening, by Sepp Holzer

Description: How to set up a permaculture system, trials of fruit cropping, terrace and pond construction, edible mushroom cultivation

The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming, by Masanobu Fukuoka

Description: no ploughing, weeding, fertilizers, external compost, pruning or chemicals, This minimalist approach reduces labour time to a fifth of conventional agricultural practices.

Introduction to Permaculture, by Bill Mollison

Description: A great introduction and overview of the permaculture concepts. The book covers a lot of material for people new to permaculture. It sets the foundation for further reading and is a mine of information within its own right.

Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual, by Bill Mollison

Description: This is the definitive Permaculture design manual in print since 1988. It is the text book and curriculum for the 72-hour Certificate course in Permaculture Design.

The Earth Care Manual: A Permaculture Handbook for Britain and Other Temperate Climates: A Permaculture Handbook for Britain and Other Temperate Countries by Patrick Whitefield

Description: A comprehensive guide to all aspects of permaculture within a temperate climate, written by one of the worlds foremost authorities on temporate permaculture.

Getting Started In Permaculture: 50 Practical Projects to Build and Design Productive Gardens, by Ross Mars

Description: Getting Started in Permaculture delivers step-by-step knowledge for a variety of useful projects including: making herb fertilizers, compost, organic sprays for pest control, and much, much more.

How To Make A Forest Garden, by Patrick Whitefield.

description: all you need to know about making your forest garden from temperate climate Permaculture teacher patrick whitefield

Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability, by David Holmgren

Description: Holmgren draws a correlation between every aspect of how we organize our lives, communities and landscapes and our ability to creatively adapt to the ecological realities that shape human destiny.

 Permaculture, a beginners guide, by Graham burnett

Description: an insightful book on permaculture for beginners

Creating a Forest Garden: Working with Nature to Grow Edible Crops, by Martin Crawford

Description: Creating a Forest Garden tells you everything you need to know – whether you want to plant a small area in your back garden or develop a larger plot. It includes advice on planning, design (using permaculture principles), planting and maintenance, and a comprehensive directory of over 450 trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, herbs, annuals, root crops and climbers.

Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World, by Paul Stamets

Description: This book is Jam-packed with info on many different species and strains of fungi, including sections on the culinary and medicinal values of each. The book also covers subjects such as mycorestoration, mycoforestry and mycopesticides. There is also good advice and info on cultivating mushrooms yourself and how to simulate the natural environment in which the species are naturally found. The book also covers some of the basics, such as life cycles and basic biology. An absolute must for mycologists or anyone interested in how mushrooms can benefit humanity.

Vegan Permaculture

A great book from Graham Burnett that outlines loads about growing food in a permaculture way, as well as loads of great recipes and much more.