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: ability of a soil to regenerate naturally.
• BRF: Ramial Wood Chips, branch chips used as mulch.
• Raised bed: elevated cultivation technique, often in permaculture.
• Compost: decomposed organic matter, used as natural fertilizer.
• Vegetative cover: plant used to cover and protect the soil between crops.
• Permanent crop: perennial plants or sustainable cultivation systems.

F to M

• Natural fertility: ability of a soil to nourish plants without chemical inputs.
• Forest garden: garden structured in layers inspired by a natural forest.
• Hedgerow: hedge composed of useful and melliferous plants.
• Humus: black and fertile organic layer of the soil.
• Auxiliary insects: insects useful for controlling pests (ladybugs, hoverflies…).
• Lasagna (culture): layering of 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 cultivation method, inspired by natural ecosystems.
• Phacelia: melliferous 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 the outside.

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, aerated and naturally nourished.
• Layer: vegetation level (ground cover, herbaceous, shrubby, arboreal…)
• Plant synergy: natural cooperation between plants in the garden.
• Zone (0 to 5): permaculture design method distributed according to use and frequency of visits.

Conclusion

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

📗 Also discover: our boxes for natural gardening and gentle progress.