Which permaculture principle do you have to remind yourself of the most?
Apply self regulation and accept feedback. I have just been ill for 3 months because I wasn’t responding to the feedback my body was giving me. Now I’m really trying to go slow and remember to rest. It’s a difficult thing for me to do having always been someone who is busy and on the go but I guess it’s the ultimate in self care and the only way to a sustainable life for me.
Which permaculture principle is always popping up in unlikely places? Such as?
Use edges and value the marginal, small and slow solutions. Home educating my 3 children doesn’t leave me with much time to do the things that nourish me. But I’m finding that if I accept I can go slowly and utilise the small moments of space I do get I can get quite a lot achieved in a good way. All my designing and planting for my new garden has been done in these edge moments.
Name your permie hero? Why them?
There are a number of amazing female Permaculturists I could name, but if I have to choose one I’d say Maddy Harland of Permaculture magazine, for her vision to get Permaculture far more into the mainstream and for fully realising that vision alongside raising a family, making a beautiful garden and developing and empowering herself. A real inspiration to me.
Best example of permaculture in action?
I love recycling in the garden. Recently I made a new bed using all my Christmas packaging. Mostly cardboard but also the sheeps wool insulation my Christmas turkey came in. So satisfying to use waste to suppress weeds and nourish my new trees.
Next course you are attending/teaching?
I’m teaching my favourite course, -:- Practical Permaculture Gardening at the end of April. It’s always such a fun and interesting weekend and now in its 12th year.