Patterns in Nature

Permaculture design uses patterns in nature to achieve its goals. We discussed the “Flower of Life“, “a geometrical shape composed of multiple evenly-spaced, overlapping circles arranged in a flower like pattern with six fold symmetry like a hexagon.”  Many of the patterns that form here are also seen in nature.

Observation of nature’s patterns is important to permaculture, especially edges. Many of the techniques employed are about maximizing edges such as the herb spiral, forest gardening, intercropping, chinampas, and edge gardening.