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Sepp Holzer's Permaculture: A Practical Guide to Small-Scale, Integrative Farming and Gardening Paperback – April 11, 2011

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 613 ratings

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Sepp Holzer farms steep mountainsides in Austria 1,500 meters above sea level. His farm is an intricate network of terraces, raised beds, ponds, waterways and tracks, well covered with productive fruit trees and other vegetation, with the farmhouse neatly nestling amongst them. This is in dramatic contrast to his neighbors' spruce monocultures.

In this book, Holzer shares the skill and knowledge acquired over his lifetime. He covers every aspect of his farming methods, not just how to create a holistic system on the farm itself, but how to make a living from it. Holzer writes about everything from the overall concepts, down to the practical details. In Sepp Holzer's Permaculture readers will learn:

  • How he sets up a permaculture system
  • The fruit varieties he has found best for permaculture growing
  • How to construct terraces, ponds, and waterways
  • How to build shelters for animals and how to work with them on the land
  • How to cultivate edible mushrooms in the garden and on the farm
  • and much more!

Holzer offers a wealth of information for the gardener, smallholder or alternative farmer yet the book's greatest value is the attitudes it teaches. He reveals the thinking processes based on principles found in nature that create his productive systems. These can be applied anywhere.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating book written by a man who has devoted a lifetime to working with nature and creating extraordinarily diverse polycultures. His work is breathtaking."--Maddy Harland, editor of Permaculture Magazine







"There, at an altitude which everyone else has abandoned to low-value forestry, what is probably the best example of a permaculture farm in Europe stands out like a beacon."--Patrick Whitefield, permaculture author and teacher



ForeWord Reviews-
Holzer's beautifully designed and illustrated book is essential reading for all who care about the land and the vast interrelated web of living beings who inhabit it, and it is especially timely, since small and organic farmers in the United States are being threatened by agribusiness, chemical companies, and others who view nature as something to conquer and ravish rather than honor and learn from. Large- and small-scale farmers, home gardeners, and even those who only have room to grow in a few pots on a city balcony will find Holzer's methods applicable and effective, his reasoning and knowledge impeccable, and his spirit pure and honest.

-- Kristine Morris

"The real story of a 110+ acre commercial permaculture farm featuring 14,000 fruit trees with diverse understory plants, complete integration of rotationally grazed livestock, terraces and rainwater harvesting, and so much more. Anyone interested in taking permaculture to a larger scale in a cold climate will benefit from Sepp Holtzer's 40 years of practical experience implementing permaculture principles."--Eric Toensmeier, author of Perennial Vegetables and co-author of Edible Forest Gardens



Here's great news for fruit-loving gardeners everywhere! Most of the work of establishing, pruning, and tending fruit trees by 'modern' methods is unnecessary and even counterproductive. Sepp Holzer's Permaculture is the One-Straw Revolution for tree crops.--Carol Deppe, author of The Resilient Gardener: Food Production and Self-reliance in Uncertain Times



"After reading this book, all I can say is Sepp Holzer is a Superstar Farmer. Holzer turns out an absolutely remarkable volume and variety of food products, all without one smidgen of chemical fertilizer, and on land in Austria that an Illinois corn farmer would pronounce too marginal for agriculture. American farmers and gardeners will be particularly interested in Holzer's raised beds--which are quite different in construction from ours in the U.S.--as well as his inventive water well irrigation systems, unique methods for integrating livestock into his fruit and vegetable gardens, and practical, low-labor way to grow mushrooms. A fascinating book for anyone who aspires to become the ultimate, champion professional of sustainable farming."--Gene Logsdon, author of Holy Shit: Managing Manure to Save Mankind, and The Contrary Farmer



"As the era of cheap energy, stable climates and surplus fertilizer stocks comes to a close, the principles of permaculture will become increasingly attractive as one way to design our future food and agriculture systems. Sepp Holzer's Permaculture provides important insights for applying these principles, for both rural farming and emerging forms of urban agriculture."--Frederick Kirschenmann, President, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

About the Author

Josef ("Sepp") Holzer was born in the province of Salzburg, Austria. He is a farmer, author, and an international consultant for natural agriculture. He took over his parents' mountain farm business in 1962 and pioneered the use of ecological farming, or permaculture, techniques at high altitudes (1,100 to 1,500 meters above sea level) after being unsuccessful with regular farming methods. Called the "rebel farmer" because he persisted in these practices despite being fined and even threatened with prison for practices such as not pruning his fruit trees (unpruned fruit trees survive snow loads that will break pruned trees). He has also created some of the world's best examples of using ponds as reflectors to increase solar gain for passive solar heating of structures, and of using the microclimate created by rock outcrops to effectively change the hardiness zone for nearby plants. He has also done original work in the use of Hugelkultur and natural branch development.

He is conducting permaculture ("Holzer Permaculture") seminars at his farm and worldwide, while continuing to work on his alpine farm. His farm now spans over 45 hectares of forest gardens, including 70 ponds, and is said to be the most consistent example of permaculture worldwide. He is author of several books and the subject of the film The Agricultural Rebel. He works nationally as permaculture activist in the established agricultural industry and works internationally as adviser for ecological agriculture. He is the author of Desert or Paradise: Restoring Endangered Landscapes Using Water Management, Including Lake and Pond Construction, and Sepp Holzer's Permaculture: A Practical Guide to Small-Scale, Integrative Farming and Gardening.



Patrick Whitefield (1949 – 2015) was an early pioneer of permaculture, adapting Bill Mollison’s teachings with a strong Southern Hemisphere bias to the cooler, maritime climate of the British Isles. He wrote a number of seminal books, including Permaculture in a Nutshell (1993), How to Make a Forest Garden (1996), The Living Landscape (2009), How To Read the Landscape (2014) and his magnum opus, The Earth Care Manual (2004), an authoritative resource on practical, tested, cool temperate permaculture. Patrick appeared in several BBC TV programmes, popular gardening videos, and taught many permaculture and other practical courses, throughout the UK.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 160358370X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chelsea Green Publishing; 3.12.2011 edition (April 11, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781603583701
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1603583701
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.06 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 613 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
613 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book a great resource for learning about permaculture. They appreciate the clear writing style and intuitive approach to nature and sustainable gardening. The narrative style is autobiographical, with interesting stories and a deep experiential understanding of living in harmony with their landscapes. Readers enjoy the advice on animal husbandry and building places in the land.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

147 customers mention "Information quality"147 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides valuable lessons and a good overview of permaculture. It provides a good resource for long-term planning with brilliant ideas and is easy to read.

"...permaculture or you don't know much about it, this book is a fantastic journey on what Sepp has learned throughout his very interesting life...." Read more

"...Thank you Mr. Holzer for sharing your very important information with all of us! And thank you that is was available on the Kindle!!..." Read more

"...of the book is superb for finding topics, foods, and practices described throughout the book, which makes this book efficient and very user friendly...." Read more

"...It is a great lesson on thinking outside the box and succeeding against all odds. You can feel his love and respect for nature and for his land." Read more

31 customers mention "Writing quality"31 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They appreciate its intuitive, clear presentation of permaculture ideas in a personal and down-to-earth manner. The book provides an introduction to permaculture in a comprehensive manner without being overly detailed.

"...throughout the book, which makes this book efficient and very user friendly...." Read more

"This was an easy read, not at all dry or too technical...." Read more

"...The presentation here is less prescription and more exploration...." Read more

"...It is written in a personal, down-to-earth and very logical way...." Read more

19 customers mention "Nature"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers an in-depth look at permaculture and thoughtful gardening. They say it opens their eyes to a new style of gardening that's more in tune with nature. The book is well-written, illustrated, and provides descriptions on microclimate and macroclimate design.

"...a complete avoidance to chemicals, descriptions on microclimate and macroclimate designing, utilization of your farm animals to do your yard work,..." Read more

"This is a magnificent, beautiful book about Holzer’s experience and how he’s worked around restrictive authorities to create something beautiful...." Read more

"...Practical philosophy in action with amazing, beautiful and nourishing results." Read more

"...certain techniques he uses, his focus is really on understanding the patterns on nature and how to work with them...." Read more

15 customers mention "Sustainability"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's sustainable agriculture and gardening techniques. They find it has a common-sense approach to using land in a way that adapts to climate. The book is perfect for those who believe in a green environment and avoid chemicals. It also promotes growing food locally.

"This book is perfect who believes in a 'green' environment, a complete avoidance to chemicals, descriptions on microclimate and macroclimate..." Read more

"...follows a natural cycle, a natural way forward that is fecund and sustainable...." Read more

"This is, by far, the best book written on sustainable, eco-friendly gardening...." Read more

"...wanted to learn about living with nature and profiting through a healthy relationship with the earth...." Read more

10 customers mention "Narrative style"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the narrative style engaging. They appreciate the author's autobiographical writing style and free-flowing narrative. The book provides a deep experiential understanding of living and working in harmony with nature. Readers praise the author's realistic approach and find him fascinating.

"The information in this book is invaluable! This man is a fascinating human being that manages to live in peaceful harmony with nature and his..." Read more

"...This book has a free flowing narrative just like his previous book. And like his previous book, the narrative is autobiographical...." Read more

"...Have already re-read section of it. Explains in a storyline what he does and need for an individual to have courage and support to implement this..." Read more

"The author speaks from experience!..." Read more

9 customers mention "Animal husbandry"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's animal husbandry advice. They enjoy the author's approach to keeping animals and building places on the land. The advice includes keeping pigs, under planting fruit trees, and medicinal plants. Readers praise the author's creative and intelligent relationship with the land. They also mention that humans, animals, plants, and the environment live together in symbiotic relationships.

"...descriptions on microclimate and macroclimate designing, utilization of your farm animals to do your yard work, farming in very inhospitable..." Read more

"...farming, gardening, forestry,fooed-production, or animal husbandry follows a natural cycle, a natural way forward that is fecund and sustainable...." Read more

"...form a whole - humans, animals, plants and environment living together in symbiotic relationships...." Read more

"...Sepp discusses plant propagation, guilds, animal husbandry, and mushroom farming that you can do too!" Read more

8 customers mention "Adaptation"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for adapting to different climates and locations. They appreciate that it leaves room for individual experimentation and provides good advice on experimenting. The book provides ideas to try and mentions localization is a must for food production.

"...possible situation is covered, this one leaves more room for individual adaptation and experimentation...." Read more

"...the author describes the observing, experimenting, patience,that being an engineer to the earth and life around us require...." Read more

"...He claims great success with diversity while achieving fewer losses to pests and no chemical supplements for control or fertilizer...." Read more

"...This book is a great starter book that is relevant for different geographies. It was an excellent read...." Read more

12 customers mention "Detail"7 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's detail. Some find it helpful for illustrating changes you can make to create your own sustainable landscape. They appreciate that Sepp doesn't get too technical, and the book is backed up with his first-hand experience. However, others feel the lack of examples and lack of detail are frustrating. Overall, opinions vary on whether the book provides sufficient detail and support to implement this approach to restoring landscapes and profitable non-chemical farming.

"This was an easy read, not at all dry or too technical...." Read more

"...While it does have less detail than most, it has sufficient detail to get the basic ideas across, and it does so in a way that really encourages..." Read more

"...This book is as practical as can be. It does not over-complicate anything..." Read more

"...Wherever Sepp goes, transformation of the land takes place. His home is the new garden of eden...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2024
    Sepp Is the granddaddy of permaculturists and this book only highlights just how pivotal his work has been.

    Even if you're not super into permaculture or you don't know much about it, this book is a fantastic journey on what Sepp has learned throughout his very interesting life. Even though I only have a postage stamp for a backyard, I plan on implementing some simple permacultural techniques I learned in this book to help me have a healthier green space.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2012
    Mr. Holzer's book was fantastic, my husband and I are reading it together, we are almost finished. When we bought our farm, we had a clean slate, the land had not been farmed in many years, we are doing just about everything on it either with a tractor or by hand, including fencing the entire thing in with a "by hand" post hole digger. We have been searching for information on how to make this a "multipurpose" "self-sufficient" farm. A farm with the main goal of being able to help feed the less fortunate & feed our family, we did not want to use any chemicals! We have prayed over our land even before we bought it, that God would use it in a big way! We feel God led us to read this book, we had NEVER heard of permaculture, though my husbands family had farmed for many years & as we have learned in this book, some of the reasons my husbands Grandfather did things the way he did them was for the very reasons that Mr. Holzer farms the way he does!! We are so excited as we plan to build "earth shelters" around our farm, and there is several areas where the "terraces" he spoke of will do so much good for us! The only downfall I have found so far is that Mr. Holzer's book The Rebel Farmer is not available on the Kindle! We are going to have to order a "real book". Other reviews I read said he did not go into enough detail.. OH YES HE DID! The details are fantastic! And he does state in this book that he has even more detailed information in The Rebel Farmer! I plan to order it right away! Thank you Mr. Holzer for sharing your very important information with all of us! And thank you that is was available on the Kindle!! What a fantastic find the Lord has led us too! There will be many many people that will benefit from our farm for years, God willing, thanks to YOU Mr. Holzer!! Our Farm in named aptly "Matana Farm", Matana is a Hebrew word for "gift". This farm was a gift from God and we plan on passing the gifts on for many years to come!! Thank you Mr. Holzer & Amazon & Kindle!!
    23 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2014
    This book is perfect who believes in a 'green' environment, a complete avoidance to chemicals, descriptions on microclimate and macroclimate designing, utilization of your farm animals to do your yard work, farming in very inhospitable environments, and the ability to recover any land from past abuse. I 'ear-marked' a dozen pages for important information that I will forever refer back to and the index at the back of the book is superb for finding topics, foods, and practices described throughout the book, which makes this book efficient and very user friendly. The use of hugelkultur, swales, keyline, ponds, trees, and rocks to create a bountiful yard or small farm is exactly the type of self-reliant infrastructure I am looking for. Once established, this self-sustaining program can easily turn a profit for anyone anywhere. This book has totally changed my outlook on what is a weed and how many of these predetermined 'weeds' actually provide a huge benefit to the garden, bees, birds and beneficial insects so pesticides can be avoided. I plan on reading the book a second time to fully grasp the intricacies of farming in this manner. I now have a much lesser outlook on monoculture farming and how destructive commercial farming really is.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2011
    This was an easy read, not at all dry or too technical. Mr Holzer describes his farming methods and his farm, his trials and errors and the lessons he learned the hard way.
    He talks about permaculture, principles that he has been applying even before the term was coined. He has some great ideas, and you only have to see the pictures of his farm to know that they really work.

    What I didn't like about it was that although he tells us what he did on his farm, he doesn't give enough details on how he does them. He whets your appetite for his methods, but then doesn't tell you enough. For example, he says stuff like: "I use foxglove to improve the health of the soil, among other reasons". It only leaves me wondering, what are those reasons?
    He keeps telling that he has been watching the nature for 40 years, but he doesn't give the recipes for his plant mixtures. Instead, he suggests that one should observe nature and experiment for oneself.
    I bought the book precisely to learn from his experiences, instead of having to spend years observing nature myself.

    But overall it is a fascinating read, especially if you want an introduction to permaculture. It is a great lesson on thinking outside the box and succeeding against all odds. You can feel his love and respect for nature and for his land.
    161 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Buddadance
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un scrigno di tesori
    Reviewed in Italy on September 12, 2023
    scritto con amore e tanto conoscenza attraverso l'esperienza pratica. e una fonte ricco di informazioni su come leggere e intervenire con la natura
  • Sharkdivingchef
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book for anyone wanting to live a greener life
    Reviewed in Spain on February 4, 2022
    This book is really a great read. It's well written engaging and informative. Once I started reading I struggled to put it down. Its full on innovative ideas and really solid informative information on how to live with and from your land and your animals. You will not be disappointed buying this. You will only be disappointed it wasn't bigger when you finish reading! Great book!
  • Corina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
    Reviewed in Germany on November 6, 2021
    Amazing
  • carolien
    5.0 out of 5 stars This guy is a true expert an he tested all ...
    Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2017
    This guy is a true expert an he tested all he claims on his own farm.
    There is tonns of information and beautifull pictures and images in this book and its all very understandable. It makes you want to go out in your garden and start making plans.
  • Amazonian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un libro obligatorio para los amantes de la agricultura local
    Reviewed in Mexico on February 27, 2018
    Excelente historia de Sepp Holzer y su observación de la naturaleza. Sin duda es un libro de cabecera para todos aquellos interesados en permacultura y agricultura a pequeñas escalas.