I saw recently that Paul Wheatons Permaculture playing cards have been updated. I never got around to doing a proper review before. Time to rectify that. If you have happened to listen to our earlier podcasts you will know that we used to read one permaculture playing card. Couch Potato Mikes organizing system failed though.

I’m sure all of you know what permaculture is right? No? Google defines it as such:

per·ma·cul·ture
ˈpərməˌkəlCHər/
noun

the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.

Which is a wholly lacking term. Geoff Lawton defines it as a design science. Learning permaculture allows you to design systems, like garden, in a more holistic way. I’m a permaculture fan more so than an expert. Getting a deck actually taught me a lot.

How To Teach Permaculture

How you to teach something to people that aren’t already hungry for it? You try to explain it to them and they think you’re crazy. Give them a book like Gaia’s Garden? A great book to be certain. I’ve read half of it in 4 years. No they will look at all the pretty pictures and move on. They have learned nothing. You can send them great links. To places like Permies. The link will be added to the to read later list or skimmed and forgotten. No a new solution was needed to trick people into permaculture.

Permaculture Playing Cards

Paul labored over the cards to make them perfect. Packed with tiny tidbits of permaculture wisdom to subconsciously work itself into your brain. Cards like rocket mass heaters, chickens, bees, wildcrafting and my favorite cast iron.

That artwork on the cards is great. They all seem like Peter Max art, only toned down. A very whimsical style. You can’t help but to get drawn in by them. All the details keep you studying the card. After you find out that Paul hide names of the Kickstarter backers and other important folk you will look even harder.

Great Stocking Stuffers

When I backed the kickstarter it was $20 a deck. A bit pricey but well worth it to me. I love my Permaculture Playing Cards. They have been well used. Paul is now selling them 6 decks, a half brick, for $42. Much cheaper at about $7 a deck and the more you get the cheaper. Amazon has single decks for $9.95. That though does little to spread the word of permaculture. Get a few and give them out, use them and enjoy them. I sure have.