Earth User's Guide to Permaculture, 2nd Edition Paperback – March 15, 2010

Having taken a college class in permaculture where this was a required text, I am thoroughly disappointed. Some of the information makes sense, but in general you have to live in utopia (or terraform the planet) in order for much of the information to apply. In reality, we have to work with what we have and make the most of the situations we inherit from previous landowners - and NO piece of property is going to fit the criteria given in this text for where and how to position homes, gardens, etc. Some information is just not right in reality even if on paper it is a great idea. For example, it might make sense logically to store water in a pond uphill from your home so that using gravity you can feed water to the home as needed..... in reality, anyone who has ever had a pond bank wash out in a heavy rain will tell you what a great idea it would be to have a pond uphill from your home.I was really excited to take this course, but this book had turned me off by the middle of it - I felt myself hating having to use the book for answers and getting more and more sarcastic in my answers because of the absurdity of the rules given. Not everyone starts with a blank slate when becoming interested in permaculture - yet that is what is made it seem like you needed. Ideas on how to incorporate permaculture practices in realistic ways (baby steps) would make it easier to get people started.

This book is pretty much all you need to know to joyfully and abundantly reduce your carbon footprint and increase your food security and self sufficiency. Once the initial learning curve and setup are done, it all pretty much runs itself, so your life ends up being more Earth-friendly and easier to maintain. And, by the way, this is not just about growing a garden and having chickens; it applies to literally every area of your life from building or buying a home to your work and social life and everything in between. The book can streamline your life whether you live on a commercial farm or in a tiny apartment. If you feel you never have enough money or time, this book can help you have more of both. The principles are applicable to a small family as well as an entire community (or world).

I always wanted this book and it was so expensive...and then it wasn't! I enjoy learning permaculture theory from a woman and she answers questions that I have struggled with for years. Love this book! Highly recommended.

Everything you need to start your permaculture journey. This was the assigned textbook for a permaculture class I attended and I only wish I'd found it sooner. It was written in Australia so many references are to that zone but the information is relevant to all zones and the simple pictures drive home concepts well. If you're looking for the basics, this is a great place to begin with all of the concepts, exercises, and applicable info.

Very easy to read, and easy to use. Great for providing concepts as well as exercises to put those concepts into practice. A lot of books on the same subjects contain repetitive and almost boilerplate sections that are so duplicative and somewhat ambiguous, this is much simpler and an easy way to begin to incorporate as much or as little as you can.

Good, practical permaculture book, especially for dry climates. Author is from Australia.

well done book

This book is a great primer for living in closer harmony with nature. I enjoyed the instruction and encourage action towards permanent agriculture that is good for our planet.

Great book

This is a great book for anyone looking to learn more about permaculture and actually have some guidance in terms of putting some of it into use...Ros is very thorough and a great teacher. It is quite specific to Australian plants and conditions, which is fine for me considering it's home but those in the northern hemisphere will just have to get used to the southern bias...still well worth buying

A very good beginner's guide to permaculture. It has sufficient number of photos and as the title claims "how-to" guides particularly on sloping land which I find particularly useful. The book successfully conveys the message of permaculture which I think is "successful farming is working with nature and not against it". So far, I have not yet found a book better than this.

Only a part of the book is interesting for me, but that part is OK. I can use the information for my vegetable plot.

wonderful