The book begins with an assessment of the current health of the planet and a discussion of how our modern lives, dislocated from natural systems, are causing damage. It then explains how permaculture, a design system that aims to mimic natural systems, encourages earth-friendly behavior and people-friendly communities.

Permaculture encourages maximum returns for minimal inputs, including effort, and the idea of designing systems (including gardens) that require less intervention is a theme throughout the book. Learn how to encourage natural predators to take care of your pest problems, see weeds as useful plants and think of yields beyond the mere monetary.

All of the major permaculture design tools are explained, including stacking (using different levels of plants, as in a forest garden), zones and seeing "waste" products as valuable inputs for another project.

In the permaculture garden section, there's information on looking after the soil, conserving water, designing gardens with maximum "edge" and a table of plants for year-round harvests.

The final sections are a comprehensive reading list for those who have been given the permaculture bug (and if you've read the book through, you should have it!) and contact lists for permaculture organizations.

Burnett is passionate about his subject, and knowledgeable, and his book is readable and thought provoking. A bargain at £5, this is an excellent place to begin your permaculture library.