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Book List

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Below you will find a list of Permaculture books reviewed by members of PASA. Permaculture books are increasingly available in major bookstores.
Or try mail order. Both Green Harvest, (website: http://www.greenharvest.com.au) and The Good Life Book Club (website: http://www.goodlifebookclub.com ) have an excellent choice available.

PASA and books.........

Events: PASA sells Permaculture books at events such as Permafest and environment fairs. If you are organising an event or course where PASA could display its books, we would love to hear from you. Contact Martin Suter on, email: info@permaculturesa.org.au

Books

PERMACULTURE

Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability David Holmgren (2002)
This book brings into sharper focus the powerful and still-evolving Permaculture concept. It integrates David Holmgren’s 25 years of thinking and teaching to give readers a clear and contemporary guide to understanding and responding to the challenge of sustainable living. For the general reader the book provides fresh perspectives on a range of environmental issues and for anyone seriously interested in foundations for sustainable design and culture, this book is essential reading.286 pp.

The Permaculture Home Garden Linda Woodrow (1996)
A practical, warm, and down to earth book from this well known Permaculture writer. Step by step details for all you need to know to design, grow, and maintain a productive home garden, including Linda¹s chook dome circle beds. 181 pp.

Earth User¹s Guide to Permaculture Rosemary Morrow (1993)
Another practical, informative introduction to Permaculture, with practical exercises, real life examples, and information to get started in transforming your urban balcony, suburban block, or farm. 152 pp.

The Basics of Permaculture Design Ross Mars (1996)
An introduction to Permaculture, it's design principles and ethics, tools and information needed for practising permaculture, as well as strategies for urban and rural areas, schools and communities, and appropriate technology. Introduction by David Holmgren. 170pp

Getting Started in Permaculture Ross Mars and Jenny Mars (1998)
Practicle ideas and techniques for implementing a permie paradise in your garden 96pp.

Introduction to Permaculture Bill Mollision (1991)
An excellent overview of Permaculture principles and practicalities, including pattern understanding, housing, broad scale and urban design, orchards, and animals. 218 pp.

Permaculture: A Designers' Manual Bill Mollison (1988)
The most comprehensive, in-depth book on written on Permaculture so far. Detailed information on all aspects of Permaculture design. 576 pp. hard cover.

Permaculture in the Bush David Holmgren (1993)
A detailed case study of the design and development of Vennie Holmgren's home on the south coast of NSW by one of the most experienced permaculture practitioners. Provides a model for Permaculture designed properties. Includes plans and photos, with detailed information on the land and how it has been developed. 29 pp.

The Manual For Teaching Permaculture Creatively Robin Clayfield and Skye (1995).
An excellent resource for anyone involved in education or group work. Many creative processes and techniques. 200 pp. In ring-bound folder.

GARDENING

Organic Gardening Peter Bennett (1995 - 6th edition.)
CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT - HOPEFULLY NEW EDITION SOON!
An excellent source book from someone with extensive experience gardening in South Australian environments. Soils, beds, fertilisers, composting, and cultivation of many common garden food plants. 211 pp.

The Earth Gardener¹s Companion Jackie French (2002)
A practicle seasonal guide to organic gardening for self-sufficiency 80pp

Natural Gardening in Australia Jeffrey Hodges (2002)
A permaculture approach to sustanable organic gardening 265 pp .

The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia Louis Glowinski (2002)
The title says it. New updated paperback edition 382pp.

Grasp the Nettle Peter Proctor and Gillian Cole (2002)
An introduction to Biodynamic farming and gardening 176pp.

No-Dig Gardening and Leaves of Life Esther Deans (2002)
Both of Esther Deans¹ books in one edition - outlining her wellknown sheet muching technique, as well as involving children in gardens, sensory gardens, and organic methods. 160pp.

The Seed Savers¹ Handbook Jude Fanton & Michel Fanton (1993)
A practical guide to protecting our food heritage from the founders of the Seed Savers¹ Network. Information on saving the seeds of many species of food plants is prefaced by background information on the issues of biodiversity and food. 176 pp.

Seed to Seed Suzanne Ashworth (1991)
A guide to seed saving and grass roots genetic biodiversity preservation 222pp.

New Plants from Old Jackie French (1991)
Simple, natural, no-cost plant propagation. 110pp.

Organic Control of Household Pests Jackie French(1993)
Chemical free methods for dealing with pests in the garden, house and animals 138pp.

The Edible Flower Garden Rosalind Creasy (1999)
Cultivating abundant edible gardens using organic methods - loads of beautiful photos and flower recipes 106pp.

PLANTS

Permaculture Plants: Agaves & Cacti Jeff Nugent (1999)
A guide to agaves and cacti which are useful from a Permaculture perspective, as drought resistant food sources, for land rehabilitation, and for use in arid climates. Information on propagation, and a basic intro to Permaculture. 197 pp.

Permaculture Plants: A Selection Jeff Nugent and Julie Boniface (1996)
An excellent resource for anyone choosing plant species for permaculture projects. Hundreds of perennial species for food and land rehabilitation in a variety of environments. Includes nutritional and medicinal information160 pp.

Wild Food Plants of Australia Tim Low
A field guide to identifying edible species from through out Australia. Drawings or photographs of all plants. 240 pp.

Plants that Never Say Die Jackie French (1995)
Information on hardy plants for many different conditions. Choosing appropriate species for shady corners, sandy soils, heat and drought, pollution, harsh winds. Includes vegetables, fruits and ornamentals/companions. 64 pp.

CHOOKS

Backyard Poultry Naturally Alanna Moore
This book has been invaluable to me as a reference for looking after chooks. Alanna has lots of ideas about how to feed, raise, house and treat your chooks, with out the use of harmful chemicals. For example, did you know that putting a clove of garlic in your chooks¹ water will help them have healthy intestines and to deter flees? Or that you can use slippery elm and yoghurt to soothe an upset chook stomach? Or that wormwood an pennyroyal will keep bugs at bay in the chook house? This book is well worth the investment if you care for the wellbeing of chooks and the planet!

Jackie French¹s Chook Book Jackie French
Another great chook book, but if you¹re vegetarian, the section on how to eat chooks won¹t interest you much. Jackie has great recipes for what to feed your chooks if you¹re not keen on the commercial laying pellets, what chook ailments to look out for, and some yummy ideas for how to prepare eggs to eat. Another great book to add to your Permie library!²

Chicken Tractor Andy Lee and Pat Foreman (2000)
integrating chickens into permaculture systems, includes strawbale poultry housing, keeping chickens happy and healthy, and generating an income from them. 317pp

FOOD

Bushfoods Cookbook: Recipes & Tips for the Gourmet Backyard Gardener Robyn Francis (2001)
After years of people hassling Robyn to share recipes for her culinary creations, she has produced the first of her intended cook book series for the gourmet gardener.This little cookbook is packed with mouthwatering ideas for using bushfoods in the kitchen & edible landscape plus 22 tried & tested original recipes; salad dressings, main dishes, deserts, conserves and beverages.The focus is on sub-tropic bushfoods of Northern NSW, however many of these plants are suitable for any mild microclimate and most for even small gardens. Some of her recepies include Lemon Myrtle Delectable Dressing, Warrigal Greens Timbale, Lemon Myrtle & Macadamia Cream Sauce, Bunya Rice Pilaf, Roast Duck with Riberry Sauce, Wattleseed Biscotten Torte, Finger Lime Sorbet, Chocolate & Macadamia Slice, Cinnamon Myrtle Damper, Anise Myrtle Cooler, and Davidson Plum Cordial.

The Permaculture Book of Ferment and Human Nutrition Bill Mollison (1993)
Ferment and Human Nutrition is a detailed resource of preservation, storage, and processing techniques from around the world. True to Bill¹s style, it is also full of stories, humour, and recipes both delicious and horrific. Areas covered include nutrition and environmental health; Beers, wines and other beverages; preserving meat and dairy products; and preserving fruits, vegetables and grains. It also includes tasty ideas for preparing frogs and snails... This book brings together traditional know ledges, with the aim of empowering people and communities to resist the onslaught of fast food culture, and retain the ability to grow, prepare, and store our own foods. Bill provides nutritional information as well as cultural background. 287 pp.

Wild Lime Juleigh Robins (1996)
A delicious guide to using Australian Bush foods in the kitchen.

The Fascinating History of Your Lunch Jackie French (2001)
The history of the world is in your lunch box... 180pp

You Can Have Your Permaculture and Eat it Too Robin Clayfield (1996)
NOW OUT OF PRINT

ENERGY, BUILDING &DESIGN

The Earth Garden Book of Alternative Energy Alan T. Gray (1996)
A focus on electricity generation from sun, wind, and water. Practical information and choosing and installing the appropriate system for your household. 170pp.

The Humanure Handbook - a guide to composting human manure J.C Jenkins
A practical, humorous guide to turning human waste into a valuable resource, without chemicals, pollution, or expensive technologies. 198 pp.

The Sustainable House Michael Mobbs
The transformation of an inner-city Sydney terrace house into a self sufficient home, complete with renewable energy, grey water systems, and composting toilet. Information for builders and retrofitters. 188 pp.

Forest Friendly Building Timbers Alan Gray & Anne Hall (1999)
An up to date guide to choosing materials which are ecologically sound.

Cob Builders¹ Handbook Becky Bee (1997)
All you need to know about how to hand sculpt beautiful buildings, which are energy efficient, low cost, and community building when cobbing with friends. ³walking into a cob home is like walking into a hug²! 173pp.

A Pattern LanguageChristopher Alexander ,Sara Ishikawa,Murray Silverstein (1977)
A beautiful, deeply thought book for designing sustainable environments which are nourishing to people and communities. 1175pp.

The Flywire House: A Case Study in Design Against Bushfire David Holmgren (1993)
Many illustrations support information on designing for bushfire resilience from a Permaculture perspective 15pp spiral bound.

The Earth Builders¹ Handbook Simmons and Gray
Introduces a range of earth building techniques, from the makers of Earth Garden

The New Natural House Book



COMMUNITY

LETS Work: Rebuilding the Local Economy Peter Lang (1994)
Local Exchange & Trading Systems are powerful tools for rebuilding community and local economies, encouraging the use of local resources and talent. This book covers the ideas underlying LETSystems, successful examples from the UK, and how to start and run a LETSystem. 178pp.

The Living System Ian Mason (1998)
Ideas on modelling human communities on ecological principles and observations. 77pp booklet.

A Vision for Community Ian Mason (1999)
An holistic approach to community, using ecology as a model for human relationships and structures. 25pp booklet.

Heart Politics Revisited Fran Peavey (2000)
An inspiring account of how powerful changes can come about by the cumulative effect of many small and life-affirming actions made by ordinary people. Fran shares her experiences of positive change through compassion, nonviolence, co-operation and connectedness.

Towards and Eco-City, David Engwicht (1992)
How to calm trafic and create a sense and experience of community in your neighbourhood. 190pp $28 /


BROAD ACRE: Zone 4

Water for Every Farm P.A Yeomans (1993).
A practical guide to Yeomans¹ keyline plan for creating sustainable, water minimising farms which benefit the land, the soil, and the farmer. 265pp

The Complete Australian Bushfire Book Joan Webster (1986)
Practical strategies for preventing bushfires, and for how to cope in bushfire situations. Includes useful information on the behaviour of bushfires, and laying out properties to maximise fire resilience. 295pp

Trees on Treeless Plains David Holmgren
A designer¹s manual for using Permaculture principles and an understanding of the roles of trees and shrubs to transform broadacre farms, and to undertake revegetation work. 231pp.