Brian Martin

Two and a half hours ago, I didn't even have the slightest clue as to what permaculture is and only stumbled across this forum after following several links. 

Based on what I've read this evening, about the only thing I can gather so far for a definition is that what it 'is' or 'isn't' is far less important a matter than what you can do with it.  The tool set description strikes me as the most apt so far, but that may be from my own bias in hoping that it can be a tool set as I look to apply some of the approaches to things it encompasses to my own life.

From the various threads I've read through so far, it seems to be a means of providing people with both the perspective and ability to solve problems and concerns through a variety of new, old and even ancient ideas and methods without causing further damage to ourselves, others or our world.

I could be completely wrong though, like I said, I've only been going over this site and links from it for a couple of hours...

In defense of the book, it did lead me to search for new sources of information that I could apply in my own garden.  Searches that only months later have led me here.  I don't even know what permaculture is, but by morning I bet I'll have a pretty good idea after digging through this site.  With what little I've read so far, it definitely sounds like something interesting.

What annoyed me about the book (and most others like it), was a recurring theme of needing to have at least a certain amount of space available (which almost always seems to be more than I have) to do anything worthwhile.  Not only to grow 'sufficient' amounts, but also to be able to rotate/rest.  My garden space is roughly 120 sq. ft., and with the exception of some supplementary space from containers on the deck, where it is, is where it has to stay.  No rotating in my future as far as I can tell.  As far as 'sufficient' goes, the most I can grow of the best/safest quality is sufficient enough for me at this point, not necessarily what someone thinking in terms of portions of acreage instead of square feet says I need.