Permaculture Design Principle 5

Using Local Biological Resources - "Think globally, act locally"

Grow your own food, cooperate with neighbors. Community efficiency not self-sufficiency. Maximize the use of biological and physical materials. Use existing physical materials to maximum potential: share resources such as cars, support local transport, build structures that can work to shelter the garden as well as store heat for night time, require minimal energy in maintenance, and are durable. People are resources also-for those jobs that need to be completed that you don't have the skills for, network with your neighbors and community.

Some examples for maximizing materials to increase yield and vigor and to reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides include animal tractors (chickens and pigs), biological pest control, animal wastes for fertilizers, and leguminous plants to provide nutrients to other plants.

Biological Pest Control:

Umbelliferous and composite plants such as dill, fennel, daisies, and marigolds attract predator insects (insects which feed on or parasitize pests).

Leguminous Plants:

Acacias, Alder (Alnus), Autumn Olive and Russian Olive (Eleagnus sp), Siberian Pea Shrub, Alfalfa, Clovers

1. Relative Location - Where stuff in the right place
2. Each Element Performs Multiple Functions - Multitasking
3. Multiple Sources for Each Need - Redundancy planning to reduce failure
4. Energy Efficient Planning - Zoning & sectors
5. Using Local Biological Resources - "Think globally, Act Locally"
6. Cycling of Energy - Reconnecting movement of energy
7. Optimum Sizing & Stacking - Intensive systems under control
8. Accelerating Plant Succession and Evolution- Working with Nature, not against Her
9. Polyculture and Diversity of Species - Resilience and resistance to pest attacks
10. Increasing "Edge" Within a System - Increasing productivity through edge effects and natural patterns

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