Organic and permaculture gardens have similarities, but also differences. While organic farming focuses on growing food, permaculture is a much wider concept and permaculture food production is just one segment.

What connects these two gardens is high respect for environmental principles, non-use of synthetic resources, production with the application of natural processes and materials, development of a sustainable agriculture system, rationalization of the use of natural resources, conservation of natural diversity and environmental protection.

Growing food – the same goal

Both gardens have the same purpose – growing food. Precisely in this way of cultivation is the key difference between organic and permaculture gardens. In both gardens, the use of mineral fertilizers and chemicals for plant protection is not allowed.

In organic production there is a smaller variety of plants, sowing or planting is carried out every year. Most of the solutions used in conventional or integral agriculture exist in the organic. Thus, we encounter heavy machinery for soil treatment, irrigation systems, and more. There is a large share of human labor, especially on small surfaces.

Permaculture is a much wider concept of the concept of organic gardens and represents a further approach to nature. In permaculture, all human activity tends to fit into the environment, so that everything becomes a whole. The permaculture garden uses organic and agricultural practices that do not disturb the environment.

The focus on biodiversity

While organic farming involves growing food with a lot of work invested, permaculture agriculture can be called “lazy agriculture”. Permaculture is a focus on biodiversity, perennial plants. This means that this garden should be periodically maintained and that we are not obligated to perform planting every year.

Irrigation systems are not channels or hoses that are the only function to supply water for irrigation. Rainwater is used, lakes are being dug, which aim to provide reserve water, passive irrigation and at the same time use as ponds.

The biggest difference is land treatment

The greatest difference between conventional and integral agriculture and organic and permaculture is in land treatment. In conventional and integral agriculture, the soil is a substrate for crop growth, while in organic agriculture and permaculture the soil is treated as a living organism.

By adding high-quality organic material, the soil becomes more fertile every year, and therefore the need for fertilizers is no longer needed. Land exploitation ceases and works in cooperation with nature.

The advantage of natural self-regulation

Permaculture is much more diverse in terms of plants grown. In this garden, a lot of self-grown vegetables and other plants are grown. We can say that the garden is permaculture if there are many self-rooted vegetables and perennial herbs.

In an organic and permaculture garden, “there is no panic” when an insect or some other pest is detected. The advantage is given to natural self-regulation and balance. In the case of plant protection, priority is given to preventive methods, plants are treated with plant preparations that strengthen the resistance and health of plants.