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Permaculture

Permaculture : food for thoughts

Movement initiated by Bill Mollison et David Holmgren, this concept was developed as a referral of guidelines for developing resilient, sustainable and autonomous ecosystems, in the place where it shall be implemented.

At Henrion Landscapers, we aim for the integration of these methods for the design, the landscaping and the maintenance of outdoor areas with an overall feeling of respect for the nature and the human being. Here are the fundamentals we are committed to :

  • Observe and interact,
  • Integrate rather than segregate the element of a system,
  • Use and value (bio)diversity,
  • Optimise the functions of elements in use,
  • Start at a manageable scale and work the way up.

 

Design is the methodology we use to conceive and materialize your objectives and dreams, both for private or community gardens and for the surroundings of companies.

Permaculture, what is that ?

Etymology

Some tracks

3 Pillars

What does Henrion?

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Etymology

The word “permaculture” is the combination of  “pemanent” and “agriculture”. Initially, it was a essentially a way for a sustainable method of agricultural production.

However, the concept of permaculture has since expanded far beyond simple vegetable practices. It is now considered as an art of designing ecosystems and a lifestyle for humans. It finds its inspiration from the functioning of nature and encompasses not only the care for nature and the land, but also dimensions linked to housing, technology, education, health and the economy.

Indeed, today, one observation is obvious:
The current models in place, whether agricultural, economic or social, have not been sustainably established. They deplete the biodiversity and natural resources that are essential to our survival.

Therefore, we must find other ways to ensure our future and that of the species with which we share the planet.

Permaculture is, without a doubt, a powerful tool we have to help us regenerate this environment. It allows us to move away from our pyramidal representation of the earth’s equilibrium, with predators at the top and plants and micro-organisms at the bottom. This vision infers a notion of superiority.

We now know that all the elements of the chain are interdependent and connected to each other, in a circular system and not a pyramidal one: if we break the circle everything collapses.

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Some tracks

Save water, which is an increasingly scarce commodity

Set up rainwater harvesting systems, and taking up small gestures such as turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, …

Reduce waste production and therefore gradually move towards zero waste
  • Limit packaging by avoiding plastics, especially single-use ones (plastic cotton swabs, straw, cups, etc.)
  • Avoid sodas in cans and plastic bottles and use tap water instead
  • Buy in bulk with reusable containers: rice and pasta, cereals, dried fruit, spices, chocolate, vinegar, oil, cheese, meat, shampoo, dishwashing liquid, etc…
Change your eating habits
  • Try to reduce the consumption of animal proteins, which are resource-intensive to produce
  • Favour seasonal, local and organically grown fruit and vegetables
Make your own cosmetic products, washing powder and household cleaning products

based on products that are healthier for people and the environment (white vinegar, Marseille soap and black soap, bicarbonate, essential oils, etc.)

Favour noble and natural materials
Medicate yourself as much as possible with phytotherapy and essential oils
Favour short journeys on foot or by bicycle
Limit non-essential purchases and aim at voluntary simplicity

3 Pillars of permaculture

Taking care of nature

from the visible (soil, water, …) to the invisible (atmosphere, micro-organisms, …), working with it and not against it.

Taking care of people

Get out of the virtual world, spend time with your children, share with them this conception of life, take the time to slow down, recreate a link at a local level through exciting projects (management of a nature reserve, community vegetable garden, greening of a neighbourhood, protection of amphibians, …).

Redistribute and share the excess

Reallocating surplus, sharing knowledge and philosophy, teaching, this also helps to recreate a bond and positivity between individuals.

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What does Henrion ?

Here is an overview of our role in the design of your permaculture garden, following the O.B.R.E.D.I.M. method :

Observation

We observe the topography of your land, possible water sources, microclimates, roads and buildings, shadows, etc…

Borders

We take into account the external environment of your land (cultivated areas, forest, village, neighbouring gardens, wetlands, etc.) and adapt our project to it.

Resources

We adapt the project according to the available resources that we value: energy resources (sunshine, water management and storage, wood, …), the number of family members who wish to be involved in the garden, the time they have available, financial constraints, …

Evaluation

We analyse your project as a whole, as well as its feasibility and we propose solutions adapted to your wishes, your needs but also your means.

Design

It is now time to design your garden by integrating it in the best possible way :

  • Adapted flows and circulation
  • An ecosystem in which all the elements are interdependent
  • Plants of different layers: trees, bushes, perennials, grasses and ground covers
  • Diversified plants, honey-bearing, with spreading blooms and fruit for the birds
  • Water ponds and aquatic ecosystems to encourage the arrival of animals which will be precious allies for natural pest control
  • A vegetable garden, a greenhouse, an orchard, small fruit bushes, fruit trees…
  • Mitigation of the prevailing winds: setting up hedges, either trimmed or free hedges
  • Wildlife integration (insect hotels, nesting boxes, hedgehog lodges, amphibians, etc …)
Implantation

We implement your project and draw up an action plan: with what, with whom, where, when and how.

Maintenance

We can help you with the care of your garden, we provide organic manure and mulch, we manage the recycling of organic waste: leaves, shredded pruning waste, grass cuttings, …, “Nothing is lost, everything is transformed”. We also offer solutions according to the specificities of your garden.

Would you like to find out more? Do not hesitate to contact us with your questions and discuss your permaculture project together.

Henrion Landscapers - Autour des parcs et jardins
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Tools and furniture

  • Fences/Gates
  • Huts/Poolhouses
  • Greenhouses
  • Insect hotels
  • Lighting
  • Planting/garden containers
  • Ironwork: arcades, railings, banisters, etc.
  • Private/urban furniture
  • Children’s playgrounds
  • Lawnmower installation
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Analysis

Analysis of your wishes, the topography and particularities of the place (orientation, prevailing winds, existing elements), the time you can invest in it and your budget.

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Draft of the project

A preliminary project is drawn up in order to integrate :

  • Accomodation best suited to your lifestyle
  • Terraces and rest areas in the most appropriate places
  • Feeding areas (vegetable garden, orchard, henhouse,…)
  • Plantations that will become a real ecosystem welcoming the fauna, with different strata of vegetation, flowering periods spread out, melliferous plants, …
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Adaptation

Following the presentation of the preliminary project, we wait for your feedback and observations, we discuss it together in order to determine possible changes to be made when finalising your project.

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     Final project

    Presentation of the project with colour scheme, indication of levels, proposal of materials, plan of the plantations and budgeting of each item.

    During the execution of the structural work, we begin the creation of the detailed plantation plan with visual support.

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    Structural work

    • Earthworks/Levels
    • Drainage
    • Sealing
    • Drainage
    • Retaining walls
    • Stairs
    • Borders
    • Paving / Flooring
    • All types of coverings: natural stone, concrete, wood, gravel, asphalt, etc.
    • Wooden cladding and benches
    • Plant engineering: three-dimensional mats, willow fascines, gabions, geotextile, etc
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    Water

    • Water features/furniture
    • Swimming pool: classic or natural
    • Rainwater harvesting: tanks, hydrophoric units, ephemeral ponds, etc.
    • Surface water management: water nets, gullies, draining wells, etc.
    • Automatic watering systems
    • Oyas installation
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    The plant

    Our landscapers carefully and sensitively select the plants in order to create a diversified and balanced system in terms of the spread of flowering, persistent structures in winter and respect for the environment.

    • Ornamental plantings of different strata: shrubs, hedges, perennials, grasses, ground cover
    • Melliferous, native, fruit plantations for birds
    • Nurturing plantations: orchards, small fruit bushes, vegetable garden
    • Planting of large trees
    • Green roofs
    • Flowery meadows
    • Sowed or rolled turf
    • Pruning
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    Lawns & flowery meadows

    • Mowing and mulching
    • Collection and disposal
    • Amendments
    • Scarification
    • Reseeding
    • Robotic lawnmower
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    Plantations

    • Hoeing
    • Cleaning
    • Size and pruning
    • Amendments
    • Miscellaneous care
    • Automatic sprinkler system
    • Follow-up of your vegetable garden
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    Mineral surfaces

    • Cleaning
    • Heat or manual treatment

    Alternative care

    Alternative care is part of a sustainable development approach. It enables a balance between the aesthetics and the development of biodiversity on the site.

    Being in contact with the nature on a daily basis, Henrion Landscapers is well aware of environmental issues and wishes to adopt an eco-responsible attitude towards its approach to work.

    Lively and interactive green spaces create opportunities for contact between people. These interactions are all ways of participating in the life of the company. These quality green spaces also contribute to health, reduce stress, promote outdoor activities and improve the working environment for employees. A serene, soothing, life-enhancing work environment is a guarantee of quality work and humanity.

    These spaces become a support for environmental awareness and education. It showcases and enhances the values of the company. The company can become an eco-citizen by encouraging its staff to reproduce the company’s approach at home.

    Besides, alternative management also meets a need to relearn forgotten fundamental notions (knowledge and functioning of the soil, plants and fauna).

    Its implementation is a vector for a new look at the art of gardening. It is a question of broadening and renewing the skills of landscapers in response to the environmental challenges.

    Gestion différenciée potager d'entreprise

    Social challenges

    • Improve lifestyle at workplace
    • Improving relations and communication between colleagues
    • Striking balance between aesthetics and biodiversity
    • Raising environmental awareness among the general public
    Gestion-differenciee-Enjeux-environnementaux-Henrion-2

    Environmental challenges

    • Preserving and enhancing biodiversity
    • Limiting energy and noise pollution
    • Recycling waste / mulching
    • Less mowing, more flowery meadow
    • Saving water
    • Reducing the use of fertilisers and phytosanitary products
    gestion différenciée entretien

    Economical challenges

    • Improving the company’s image
    • Eco-citizen enterprise = showcase and support for awareness raising
    • Environmental education that enhances the value of the site
    • Cost-driven approach that progressively drives down the expenses in maintenance