Permaculture (Permanent Agriculture) 400 Hours Advanced Certificate Course

Permaculture I

1 Concepts

• The basic theory and ethics of Permaculture

2 The Environment

• Ecosystems, the web of life and interactions between living organisms

3 Soils

• Soil management, fertilisers, nitrogen, cultivation, gas and nutrient cycles

4 Climate and Water

• The hydrological cycle, infiltration, microclimates, the Greenhouse Effect, water and plants

5 Forest Systems

• Biomass, how natural systems relate to agricultural systems

Permaculture II

1 Permaculture Gardens: Different Garden Systems

• Spiral gardens, no dig gardens, establishing plants (mulches, irrigation, tree guards) techniques for planting sloping and arid sites

2 Design: Planning techniques and skills

• The design process, pre planning information, drawing a design, selecting plants

3 Garden Zones

• Windbreaks, hedges, screens, the five Permaculture zones

4 Design for Natural Pest, Disease and Weed Control

• Biocontrol, natural pest controls

5 Companion Planting

• Repellant plants, attractant plants, plants that affect the soil, beneficial plant combinations, poor combinations, nitrogen and legumes in Permaculture, cover crops, grain crops

6 Appropriate Technology in Permaculture Design

• Using energy conserving technology, healty buildings

7 Water Gardens

• Wet and boggy garden areas, drainage, wet tolerant plants, small and large water gardens

8 Fruit, Nuts and Berries

• Suitable orchard plants for Permaculture, intercrop species, the Fukuoka system

9 Vegetables and Herbs

• Easy care vegetable gardens, planting, garden care, herb spirals, disease resistance, types of vegetables

10 Mandalla Garden

• Design and cost of a Mandalla garden, organic materials, mulches, keyhole garden beds.

Permaculture III

1 Integrating Animals Into A Permaculture System/Garden

• Locating animals in the Permaculture system, birds, types of gardens, how to plan and prepare zones in relation to animals

2 Role Of Insects And Other Small Animals

• Ecosystems and their constituents, the web of life, the classification of animals, insect classification, lifecycles, feeding habits and control, companion planting

3 Poultry and Bees

• Ducks, poultry food, fowls, turkey, geese, bees

4 Grazing Animals: Sheep, Goats, Cattle, Horses, etc

• Animals as mobile tractors, types of pasture

5 Aquaculture Production Systems

• Biological filtration systems, clearing dam water, protecting fish, mariculture,

7 Aquaculture Species to Grow

• Australian native fish, yabbies, marron, spiny fresh water crayfish

Permaculture IV

1 Overview of Permaculture

• Definition of Permaculture, understanding plant names, environmentally safe pesticides, zones, sectors and cycles in Permaculture design

2 Buildings and Permaculture: The alternatives

• Indoor/outdoor buildings, storage facilities, building materials

3 Buildings and Permaculture : Integration into the Environment

• Essential elements for houses in different zones, energy conservation, alternative energy sources

4 Waste Disposal

• Liquid waste, grey water, blackwater, waste disposal and recycling, nitrogen in waste

5 Recycling

• Composting, waste water recycling, conservation and recycling, council recycling

6 Designing for Natural Disasters

• Fire, flood, cyclone, tsunami, biotecture

7 Natural Watering

• Water efficient gardens, mosquitoes, windmills

8 Indigenous Plants and Animals

• Wildlife management, birds in the garden, suitable native plants

9 Preparing Management and Development Plans

• Planning and managing a garden, Permaculture design, work schedules

10 Major Design Project

• A in depth design project for both your own residence and another property