Permaculture Gardener's Glossary: 50 Terms to Know

Why a glossary?

Permaculture has its own vocabulary. Whether you are a beginner or already engaged in this approach, it is useful to know the key terms of natural gardening. Here are 50 simple definitions to enrich your understanding of living things.

A to E

• Amendment: addition of material (compost, manure…) to enrich the soil.
• Crop association: planting vegetables or plants beneficial to each other.
• Self-fertility: the ability of a soil to regenerate naturally.
• BRF: Bois Raméal Fragmenté, branch chips used as mulch.
• Raised bed: elevated growing technique, often used in permaculture.
• Compost: decomposed organic matter used as a natural fertilizer.
• Cover crop: plant used to cover and protect the soil between crops.
• Permanent cropping: perennial plants or sustainable cropping systems.

F to M

• Natural fertility: the ability of soil to nourish plants without chemical inputs.
• Forest garden: garden structured in layers inspired by a natural forest.
• Hedgerow: hedge made up of useful and nectar-producing plants.
• Humus: black, fertile organic layer of the soil.
• Beneficial insects: insects useful for controlling pests (ladybugs, hoverflies…).
• Lasagna gardening: layering organic materials to create a fertile mound.
• Microfauna: worms, springtails, mites… essential to soil life.
• Mycorrhizae: fungi associated with plant roots, improving nutrient absorption.

N to P

• Mulching: covering the soil (hay, leaves, straw…) to protect and nourish the earth.
• Permaculture: sustainable and ethical farming method inspired by natural ecosystems.
• Phacelia: nectar-rich green manure, very useful in the garden.
• Companion plant: plant beneficial to another (protection, fertilization, growth).
• Pollinators: bees, bumblebees, hoverflies… essential for plant reproduction.
• Resilient vegetable garden: self-sufficient garden, little dependent on external inputs.

R to Z

• Crop rotation: alternating vegetables to avoid soil depletion and diseases.
• Reproducible seed: non-hybrid seed that can be harvested and replanted.
• Living soil: soil rich in organisms, naturally aerated and nourished.
• Layer: vegetation level (ground cover, herbaceous, shrub, tree…)
• Plant synergy: natural cooperation between plants in the garden.
• Zone (0 to 5): permaculture design method divided according to use and frequency of visits.

Conclusion

This evolving glossary supports you in understanding and practicing permaculture. Consult it throughout the seasons, enrich it with your discoveries… and share it with gardeners around you 🌱

📗 Also discover: our kits for natural gardening to progress gently.