Permaculture Lingo

Edge - The junction/zone that lies between two media or landscape form; a border where materials or resources accumulate.

Forest Garden – Mimicking the structure of a forest ecosystem for the purpose of maximizing small scale food production, a forest garden combines diverse trees and plants in beneficial relationships. This historic gardening method produces fruit, nuts, vegetables herbs and medicinal plants.

Guild - A species assembly of plant and animals, which benefit each other to reduce root competition, for pest control, nutrient accumulation, shelter or other companionship

Hugelkultur - A no-till garden bed and composting technique created by digging a trench and burying branches, and even logs, with the soil from the trench.  The wood decays over a long period of time, steadily releasing nutrients and heat.  The wood absorbs and retains rainwater, increases soil aeration, lengthens the growing season and sequesters carbon into the soil.

Microclimate - The subtle variations in general climate conditions at a specific place as affected by local factors rather than regional ones; the localized climate around landscape features and structures.

Polyculture - The interplanting of multiple crops grown together on the same ground area, in beneficial relationship

Suntrap - A relatively still, sun-facing area, sheltered from cold and /or destructive winds, which captures maximum sunlight all day.

Swale - A small or large ditch dug along a contour to assist land in absorbing water.

Thermal Belt - The area on a slope which traps warm, rising air

Thermal Mass – The ability of a material to absorb and store heat from the sun. Dense materials, such as brick, stone, earth and concrete, have the capacity to act as batteries, storing solar gain during the day and releasing the heat as indoor space cools as night.