Periodically there are advantages to being a blogger.
I fell in love with these stunning Permaculture Playing Cards and was about to buy myself a pack on Amazon when I remembered that I knew the guy who made them.
So I emailed Paul Wheaton, the founder of Permies.com, and said, “Hey, before I buy these gorgeous Permaculture Cards, you wouldn’t have an extra deck kicking around you’d wanna send me as a review copy? Wouldja, wouldja?”
I hear back from him: “Twelve decks will be to you on Tuesday.” (Paul is like seven feet tall and sometimes I think that makes him want to go bigger with everything he does.)
“What the hell, Paul? I mean, a huge thank you, but I don’t really need a dozen decks of cards!”
“So give some away if you want.”
And so here we are. I’m keeping two decks for myself, which leaves ten decks of Permaculture Playing Cards to give away, courtesy of Permies.com.
Perma-wha?
You’ve heard of Permaculture, surely. This work-with-nature, systems-design-approach to growing (and, according to some practitioners, life), is working its way towards mainstream.
Thanks to books like Gaia’s Garden and The Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Permaculture and the popularly of practical, accessible techniques like hugelkultur and keyhole gardens, more and more gardeners are incorporating aspects of permaculture in their garden.
I, myself, am Perma-curious. My garden is not designed top-to-bottom according to permaculture principles but as I find out how effective the practical techniques are, I move in that direction.
And that’s where these Permaculture Playing Cards come in. The deck of cards is a whimsical way to make “bite-sized” bits of permaculture accessible to people who aren’t quite ready to commit to, say, the 500+ pages of intense study required by Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual.
The cards are stunningly beautiful. I know I keep harping on that, but for real – the artwork and design is simply inspired. The cardstock is thick and will wear well and the size is nice for holding.
Each card has something notably important to Permaculture on it: key people, techniques, plants, animal husbandry techniques and more. Surrounding the image on each card are little facts about that Permaculture concept. It’s just enough to suck you in and make you want to read your deck of cards and go on and learn more, but not so much that the cards become unusable as actual playing cards.
Oh yeah – did I mention you can actually play poker with ’em? Cool.
I think these things are great on multiple levels – as art, as education, as subtle propaganda for a better world. Highly recommended as a gift for your favorite Perma-curious or Perma-fanatic people.
Enter To Win A Deck of Permaculture Playing Cards
To enter to win one deck of Permaculture Playing Cards leave a comment on this blog post telling me what you like most about Permaculture, or (if the whole concept is a bit new to you) what about Permaculture you are most interested in learning.
Ten winners will be selected at random. Contest closes this Saturday, December 14th, at 6 pm PST so that I can mail the cards out to the winners next Monday. If you are a winner you will be notified be email. You have 24 hours to claim your prize. Sorry to be so strict but we are on a holiday timeframe here. Contest open to addresses in the United States only due to shipping. Sorry international readers.
Good luck!
Related Permaculture Stuff…
Permies.com – Huge resource for Permaculture enthusiasts. The forums are extensive, helpful and well-moderated so they stay that way. For more info on the Permaculture Playing Cards, check out this thread on Permies.
Half-Assed Hugelkultur – my post on attempting this funny-sounding Permaculture garden-bed-building technique. Foot-for-foot my hugels typically out-produce my traditional beds with watering four-six times a summer.
Permaculture Playing Cards on Amazon.com – Check out reviews, see what other people have to say.
The Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Permaculture: Creating an Edible Ecosystem, by Christopher Shein – A fairly recent release focusing on Permaculture basics and how to apply the Permaculture concepts to a more traditional garden. I particularly recommend this book to beginning urban Permaculturists. It has great design and a modern layout.
Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture, by Toby Hemenway – a slightly more technical, but still very accessible look at Permaculture at the gardener’s scale.
Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual, by Bill Mollison – for the hard core student of Permaculture. This is considered the classic text of Permaculture, but I wouldn’t personally recommend it as your first text on the subject unless you are pretty NerdCore about gardening.
All images in this post courtesy Paul Wheaton / Permies.com.
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I’m in the early stages, deciding I want to be more self reliant through (hopefully) creating an edible garden or food forest on my own property. My friend introduced me to permaculture, and I can’t wait to read and do more. 🙂 I’d love the cards, they look gorgeous!
I think the knowledge of permaculture could save the world…learning to work WITH the land rather than against it, to grow food rather than lawns, to be completely sustainable.
I’m in the process of starting an online permaculture design course, these cards would be a beautiful mixture between play and study!
Permaculture is slowly but surely taking over parts of my yard lol as il learn more about it.
I like the idea of zones and of plant guilds. I would like to learn more about hugelkultur.
There are so many things I love about permaculture. Big picture though, I like that it will create less work in the long run. And since we keep turning more yard space into garden space, that’s helpful. I love the interaction between plants in guilds and am fascinated by edges.
Permaculture fascinates me. I don’t think I have it in me to ever be a total permie but the plant it right and leave it alone thing really appeals to me. I keep reading and every year I integrate a few more permaculture ideas.
The thing that most drew me to permaculture was that it is so solutions focused. We can actually do things, as individuals, to change and fix the problems around us. I took a permaculture design certification (PDC) earlier this year, I’ve spent a number of months observing and interacting with my small suburban yard, and now I’m planning and designing improvements.
I have much to learn about nature’s magical properties, and permaculture is one of the terms I intend to investigate. Your cards are beautiful, and I hope to begin my journey through using them.
Permaculture = me taking care of me
As we start to create a permaculture farm the farm evolves to take care of us! Fewer trips to the store, no reason to go anywhere but be here in our own safe permaculture heaven. Thats our goal!
It is ALL brand new to me but my husband and I even at our age haven’t given up on learning new things. We would like to be more self-sufficient. 🙂
What I like best about Permaculture is that it is the quiet subtext of nature that is based in the science of observation.
It is an elastic process that can be applied to large scale and urban spaces with the same outcome: abundance.
I like that it tackles high tech problems with low-tech solutions and, that it is a democratic process.
What I like about Permaculture are the people who are focused on changing how our land is cared for, how our animals are treated, and, how our food is grown.
What I like best about Permaculture is that it is the change we need to see in the world.
Permaculture offers opportunities for young and old people to take a new direction in life. It often brings with it great friends and good times. And it always provides me with a bit of useful exercise and lots of good food.
We have a permaculture education project in China but have a US address : )
I was bewildered by the term “Permaculture” for a few years, reading several descriptions all of which simply confused me more with their large, complicated terms. Finally it was described to me as a permanent culture, one where from start to finish everything is recycled back into the land to reproduce again (thank you Mother Earth News Fair!). THIS made sense! A perfect circle of life, whether it be plant or animal. I will always strive to produce everything on our little 2 acre farm that we could possibly need but I’m sure I will never be completely successful since we have too much in trees already but eventually we may have a goat for milk and pig for yearly meat. In the meantime the chickens provide eggs, the turkeys provide some meat, the garden and orchards provides produce and the honeybees produce heavenly golden honey … just about perfection from our little “Slice of Heaven”.
I’m drawn to the permaculture concept because I believe that natural ecosystems are complex systems full of many cascading relationships and it seems like a garden that learns from those relationships would be much more resilient than one that is built upon the dig a hole, plant a seed concept.
I like to learn permaculture because it’s something makes sense, something worth to do in your life to complete to be an earth citizen.
I like to share permaculture because there are still so many people don’t know permaculture.
I like permaculture because there are so many people share this idea to make this world better. The more you learn and think about it, it will become part of you, it will live in your life, when that day come, everything everybody do everyday is permanent, and I think that day will come.
Personally, I am into natural building most, include water, power, furniture and so on, interesting to build a house have your own personality and needs.
I love permaculture because it leads to heaven on earth! I love the thought of abundance, true abundance, gracing the lives and yards and dinner tables and hearts, of everyone.
Permaculture is not just a way out of our problems; rather, it is a complete solution to living the way we are designed to live. It is the embodiment of hope and joy and ease and true abundance. More than just an answer it is “THE ANSWER” to living well on earth! 🙂
I have been studying and have quite a library on Permaculture and enjoy the outdoors so I hope to get some acreage soon to just have a homestead and start really living like I would like too. :))
I like the fact that permaculture is a solution based philosophy, not a rule book!
What I like about permaculture is how I can create my own little paradise no matter where I am. People often ask me why I CHOOSE to live in a huge metropolitan desert city (Phoenix) – I mean, there’s no WATER here (they say). I choose to live here because, with a little help from permaculture, I can make a huge and lasting difference to this place at this time. “But you’re mostly blind – don’t you run into thorny plants? Wouldn’t you like someplace….well, softer and easier?”
Yes – I do indeed experience “nonconsensual acupuncture” on a fairly frequent basis, more so as I lose more vision. But it just makes me more innovative, more adaptable and hence, more skilled. And that, after all, IS the true power of permaculture.
Warm regards,
One-eyed Jen, greening the Sonoran desert.
I am studying everything I can get my hands on regarding permaculture for the time my husband and I get a piece of land and build our house. It’s my dream to have food growing at our fingertips without constant care and amendments.
I love the idea of permaculture as a way of building for the future. I started to teach my kids about it by involving them in our garden at home and taking them to places around town that work to set up permaculture in the city.
I love that permaculture is a totally sustainable way to do ag. I love that you can conceivably create a system without inputs or waste.
I have been interested in permaculture for many years, dabbling in it when I could. The internet has made getting more information about it more possible. I would like to further My interests in permaculture through sites like this.
I’m interested in permaculture because especially in the modern era it serves several purposes:
1. To live, exist and grow harmoniously with the natural world which in doing so enriches you and the world around you.
2. By using applications of permaculture both new and old we form a bridge of time between the past, present and future which helps increase the benefits and success of our efforts. Permaculture isn’t a window in time, it’s a window to all times.
3. Permaculture is clean and dirty living at the same time!
I gardened years ago and have just recently prepped a small patch to start a vegetable garden next spring. Living in a subdivision, I am very interested in how studying permaculture can help me find the most effective way to plant my small piece of land.
I like the whole “interconnectedness” thing with Permaculture. Using certain plants to help other plants grow, or using certain plants as pest control for other plants. I am new to the Permaculture concept, but I have heard about it a lot from Jack Spirko. He’s big on Hugelkultur. His name is even on the Ace of Clubs. But I really like that Permaculture is all about growing in a manner so that the soil isn’t completely stripped of its richness and fertility.
One of my favorite things about permaculture is the hope that it gives me for solving many of the world’s problems. Deserts can be reforested! Vast amounts of carbon can be sequestered in those forests, helping mitigate climate change, and food can be harvested from them. Check out this inspiring video about a reforestation project in China: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QUSIJ80n50
Super excited about the opportunity to win a deck- Paul is one of my heroes!
what i like is that permaculture is really undefinable; it’s not able to be stuffed in a cheerios box, although when you get into it, there actually is a prize
Having completed a PDC and potentially interning on a permaculture site next spring, all I can say is that permaculture is THE method for saving humanity, plain and simple! The concept can get can get quite complex, but if one comes back to the overarching goal of meeting human needs while regenerating earth’s natural systems, they should be constantly motivated to bring about positive change!
Permaculture just makes good sense all the way around – reaping rewards for being responsible! I someday would like to get 8 decks of cards…1 for myself and the rest to give to my Webelo 1 Scouts (who are just all awesome by the way:)
My favorite thing about permaculture is that often the “lazy” way is the best way: figure out how to let nature do most of the work for you! These cards are beautiful, and I would love to have them in my home.
I love these beautiful cards from Paul. I’ve been following him for some time to learn more about permaculture and how to incorporate that into our property, what a wonderful way to be able to live, and now…. I can subscribe to your blog, too…. via Paul ! Happy to know you! The cards would be the perfect way to introduce this type of education to my Grandchildren! : )
: )
I like permaculture Because all the people in it are down to earth people. I believe it is much healthier and earth friendly. I moved from a 12 acre lot to an apartment so it is going to be a challenge to grow what I want but I want to try.
As a gardener for 35+years I am so glad I stumbled into the world of permaculture. It just makes so much sense especially as my body ages and I am unable to get down on the hands and knees to weed. There is just something so amazing to be able to walk out into my tiny yard and find something to eat all around me. I am so happy to pass along all the information I am able and to share with those who want to learn. Oh How I wish I could join Paul in the development of his land but alas, I would be more of a burdeon than a help.
I’m currently (and that will expand soon) interested in information which applies to vegetable gardening in an effort to become more self sufficient. Three years ago I established a nice bird feeding area and planted a bed of plants underneath it to attract bees and butterflies to interact with my gardens (not to mention the pleasure of watching the birds and butterflies).
My child. For my child. First, last, always. Looking for a piece of practical art versus some electronic soul-sucking toy. I want to teach her with these cards.
Ooooh, is Poker part of permaculture too?! Yes! Just love the idea of pulling a card and letting it guide me to a different area of the garden/home. Any permaculture topic, if I look deeply enough at it can be a spark for new ways of thinking. The garbage can load gets smaller and smaller, and my pile of “possible projects” just grows and grows.
I love how my chickens have obviated my compost pile. I love how my keyhole beds have been slowly filled in with perennials that require so little care. I love imagining how our food forest will look in 6 years.
I love these!! I want to win and give them to all my gardening friends. So cool. I haven’t done a ton of permaculture in our yard, but I like planting edibles with annuals to attract beneficial insects. I also like letting herbs like parsley, cilantro, dill, etc. go to seed and take over so they find their own special micro-climate in our yard and thrive.
i love permaculture because it is the best fusion of natural abundance and modern knowledge and technology working with rather than against the balances of nature.
I have access to a huge piece of protected property that was over grazed and over-logged about 30 years or more ago, which is now also home to many invasive species. There are some seasonal and soggy water features on it. I have always dreamed of a swimming pond but don’t want to disrupt any vernal pools. We have sheep, goats, chickens and ducks and I know there is so much more I can do to make this place a thriving working system instead of a ramshackle haphazard “farmette.” My almost 10 year old daughter is very interested in herbal medicine and goats and would love these cards with a passion – and she would put them to good use! Thanks for this awesome blog…I wish you had a clone in the Northeast.
Gorgeous cards. I want some. Would love to learn more about permaculture. Next comes prete-culture
I’ve always been a permaculturist at heart, but never knew it until recently. Stacking functions is ultimately how I try to live my life, to reduce resource consumption, improve efficiency and increase ease! These are beautiful cards, by the way. Thanks for holding this contest!
I love your blog by the way. I only wish I had the time to grow and preserve the way you do.
I am a Biology teacher, and permaculture is a concept that I love. The idea of how nature all works together and we can mimic those relationships to provide for our families in a healthier more sustainable way.
Keep up the great blogging!!
I love permaculture because this is where we (humans) are part of nature’s equation.
I just received my first deck of permaculture cards today in the mail (Friday the 13th) after a marathon of a week. I smiled in relief as I felt the pendulum changing directions. They truly are a work of art.
I can already think of other people I would pass these cards along to, one being a fellow healthcare professional I met at a conference and totally failed to give an adequate explanation of what permaculture is.
Great blog! Looking forward to following it. Thanks for sharing Erica!
-Erica
Permaculture combines agriculture with Tao(the way). all is done by doing nothing. Nature is perfect and has a solution to every problem. When we balance the intellect of the mind with the flow of Nature we harmonize with that which is all things. Once we realizes this place in the balance we can truly reach healthy economic models(localize), overbearing political structures will recede, and most importantly we will have the potential to reach new spiritual heights as a race, in balance with the way of the universe. Its only a matter of time. we have the tools. we just have to get up and use them. . . . . . . . . . and all the incentives appear to be right around the corner.
I love love love permaculture, I’m doing aquaponics now, have goats make cheese from milk, grow my veggies, have chickens, have no waste, have ducks, geese, have fresh eggs, have a pond, love my fruit trees now will be planting mango trees. Am a master gardener, inpart my knowledge to the community, have to figure out the last principle, I have earth care, people care but need more fair share!
What do I like about permaculture? I haven’t seen, read, or heard anything I don’t like about it. The ability to have a beautiful, life sustaining garden for my family and the critters is so exciting. Looking forward to when we move to our land to start digging in.
I am very interested in promoting resource based economic sustainability everywhere, but in my local area in particular, of course. Developing/creating permaculture and aquaculture local gardens, in as many places and homesteads as possible, will provide much toward developing sustainability anywhere. It does not matter how much local industry there is….if you do not focus on food and water systems 1st and have them be the foundation you can live upon , then it does not matter if you have a ‘job’ someplace. It is not that hard to learn and prep to feed ourselves locally. Foodstamps need NOT be the only resource for struggling people. Once people realize how much they can help themselves by growing real food with their neighbors, they will rejoice in that local independence. Permaculture needs to be taught and shared till everyone can grow something on their own. Collectively we can learn what used to be passed down thru each generation…for survival….we can not remain ignorant about learning to feed ourselves…for our survival, and only by embracing permaculture locally, can we insure that we will in fact survive.