Permaculture in Action | The 12 Principles Demonstrated

Come take a tour of my permaculture smallholding in County Sligo, Ireland. In this video I take each of the 12 permaculture principles and show you ways in which I've implemented each on my one acre cottage garden.

[mortenwellhaven]

In this world, my escape to your channel is pure joy...maybe even a requirement. I grew up on a large homestead in Norway, not quite a farm. The organized "mess, " chickens, and a few farm animals, guided by my grandmother, were great food producers. The food and root cellar was massive for a little boy. After harvest time, I would walk through it with a flashlight to look at our bounty and filled bins. I did not feel rich. I felt wealth. And without being taught, I came to know the seasons, the land, and those who lived on it. You are a gift with every posting.

[sclark]

"Doing things slowly should be taught in school" - this teacher rejoiced to hear that! Deep learning, no matter the subject, cannot happen in a rush. I'm glad you talk about taking small steps, and about learning from mistakes. Oh, and this: "Dominance creates vulnerability; diversity produces resilience" - yes! There's a great deal of social application in your permaculture principles too, Daniel. Enjoying this series on many levels!

[angelatillman]

The shot taken above your home is incredible! You really have done a beautiful job building it up

[cefbneg]

I just like to comment on your presentation skills, you have a wonderful speaking voice, you look and sound like a professional TV presenter. You remind me of the presenters of years gone by from the 1970s to perhaps 90s TV programs was wonderful during that time.
🪴 From M UK

[Nando_Disco]

Mossy Bottom is too funny of a channel name and receives an instant follow.

[cuppajavaplease]

I love what you have done with your land and animals. It seems that you have discovered the balance in nature. You should write a book outlining your experiments, successes, failures and wisdom in permaculture. So many of us would benefit.

[greenwoodorganics]

Hi Daniel, I'm an economist and a horticulturalist with my own land, that I'm turning into a food forest in Scotland. This series is great. I've thought a lot about how to define permaculture, as I want it to be understood by as many people as possible, especially those still in the city/system/indoor mindset.

The best definition I've come up with is this: permaculture is seeing other species as employees. As opposed to inert resources to be dominated and used. I think this succinctly gets at the actual system we're trying to set up. I think what makes permaculture so powerful is you are essentially using your understanding of different species and their relationships to each other, to align their own agency with your goals of yielding a crop. Their agency is key; it works because the tree WANTS to grow, the worm WANTS to aerate the soil, you don't have to force them, you just have to employ them. That's what I think actually makes the yield so high compared to the input.

Defining it like this allows permaculture's high yields to be understood through capitalist economics. It's in the farmer's rational interest to provide the best conditions for his employees and not to harm them with chemicals etc. Most of the work is not being done by the farmer, it's being done by the employees, who happen to be different species evolved to do all kinds of work that humans can't. When you select a good tree species to plant, you are essentially hiring a skilled worker for life, (the skill being making produce) which you pay in living space, protection and care.

Thanks for your hard work in making these videos, they are great to watch and share.

[gwenbliss]

As a teacher for over 20 years, it is my humble opinion you are an excellent teacher. Honest, encouraging, and knowing your subject WELL. Thank you Daniel! I'm working on that compost!

[AntManBee]

I live in the Chicago area. Typical suburban lot but I decided to seed certain areas with native flowers. I still have a lawn etc. But it was a revelation to replace retail annuals with native perennial flowers. The bees and birds loved it and the flowers found where they did best and they seem have there own boom and bust cycle through the year. My point is you can return an area back to nature even if it’s small and surrounded by the typical suburban lawn. You might have to do some weeding for some really obnoxious intruders but you can let nature do the rest and save money by not buying those annuals at the big box store.

[claudinedecarlisle]

I love this series Daniel. Thank you for presenting such a clear and comprehensive explanation of permaculture.
Especially it being taught in your stunningly lush and beautiful smallholding.

[Topdoginuk]

Goodness me, you've come on in leaps and bounds with your lifestyle, inspiration, knowledge and articulatory skills. Congratulations and well done.
It's been a while since I watched your beginning videos and, I look forward to now catching up on some.

[patdaniels]

Pat here from the U.S. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experiences! It's sure made me think differently of nature, as well as my own little yard, in town. Love your song at the end of each episode! And your property has continued to grow more and more beautiful!
Also, wanted to tell you that we just made our first trip to Ireland. I can see why you moved there....it's so beautiful and the people are so nice. We made a point to stop in Sligo to walk around, browse, eat and shop! We stayed at the courtyard by the Markree Castle. The residents of Ireland are so blessed to have such beauty. We will definitely return!
Again, thank you Daniel. I appreciate your information!

[tommcgawley]

The western red cedar hedge. In the nursery we transplant every other one when they touch each other, thereby giving them space to grow stronger, this is done betweenNovember and March, and of course gives you more established plants to continue your hedge. Keep up the good work.

[shamancarmichael]

The most clear, concise overview of permaculture I've ever encountered! Well done, and thank you!

[SpanishEclectic]

So many practical ideas, but yes, learning to live with your piece of land, large or small, and understanding the weather, wind, and sun make a huge difference. The corn, beans, and squash (the three sisters) formed the basis for Meso-american food production, here in my part of the world. All of this is fascinating. I'm happy to see you are giving cats a job...

[paulaoconnor]

I'm loving this series on permaculture Daniel! I don't live too far from you in Sligo as im in Leitrim, so the land I live on is similar to yours, apart from the fact it's half way up a mountain! so I follow closely what works for you as it should hopefully work for me too! Thanks for all the wonderful advice you're giving, I'd like to visit Mossy Bottom with my family in the future and purchase some of your organic fare!

[zenden]

Wow this guy is such a inspiration 👏🏻what he has done to that small piece of land is truly amazing and these videos are beyond educational ❤️

[branchingoutpermaculturewi]

just subcribed. im in my second year of organic permaculture growing and killing it. i got fruit first year and just love the progress and the viewers on my channel. some people think this is a gimmick but growing organic is the way to grow and in abundance. cheers mate

[kriswickens]

I got the sense I was watching a David Attenborough film here. I've seen a few of your videos before but this one made me realize you've come along way in telling your story in a very intriguing but calming manor. Thanks for sharing what you're doing.

[AlexandraAndStuff]

This is like some kind of real life poetry. Such harmony, beauty, wholesome quality. Amazing