Permaculture is a holistic design system for sustainable living, creating systems for minimum effort and maximum effect. The course is designed with an overall flow which enables us to cover the curriculum with an awareness of natural cycles with themes following the Permaculture Design Cycle – SADIMET (Survey, Analyse, Design, Implement, Maintain, Evaluate & Tweak).
Module 1/Introduction:
@ the Concrete Garden
The first weekend, which can also be taken as a stand-alone introduction to permaculture, gives the basic grounding in what permaculture is and how it can be applied, including an overview which introduces some topics which we go into more detail in the rest of the course. In general we are indoors in the morning and outdoors in the afternoon. Normally day 1 is observation and day 2 is composting.
Themes: Welcome, orientation, observation.
Topics:
- What is permaculture?
- Ethics
- Mollison principles
- Design Process – SADIMET
- Zones and sectors – Design tools
- Input-Output analysis
Module 2 – venue tbc
Themes: Observation & Patterns
Co-teacher: Ed Tyler
This weekend you will meet the cohort who intend to continue to work together for the rest of the PDC. This module falls at Imbolc, the beginning of spring, a time of excited beginnings and fresh possibilities.
This weekend will include introductions, sharing of experience, orientation, observation and deepening our understanding of the design process. You have the delight of meeting my teacher and tutor Ed, whose enthusiasm for all life is contagious.
Topics:
- Surveying and observation tools
- Mapping – making a map without any fancy equipment (measuring tapes, rules,), pacing, bunyips and A-frames
- Energy flows
- Plants and Trees
- Patterns – the fundamentals for all life.
- Climate and micro-climates
More info about the Old Barn.
Module 3 – Glasgow – Concrete Gardens
Themes: Analysis & Soil
Co-teacher: Paula McCabe
We will learn about analysis, including analysing soil, and learning about soil, what it’s composed of, and what it does, as well as permaculture ways of maintaining soil fertility, such as “no dig” gardening techniques. This will be more active as the student becomes the teacher for a 5 minute presentation. On Sunday afternoon we will visit a market garden that many Southsiders get their organic veg from – Locavore’s Neilston farm, exploring how vegetables can be grown at scale organically, and how to make it a better example of permaculture. We will arrange sharing transport.
Topics:
- Analysis tools
- Growing your own food – Permaculture gardening, organic gardening, polycultures, seasonal planning, bed creation, field scale strategies.
- Plants and Trees
- Soil (including 5 min presentations on specific topics by students these will include mycellium, soil life and biodiversity, soil fertility and what it’s affected by, and more)
- Practicals
Module 4 – venue tbc
Themes: Design & People Care
Co-teacher: tbc
We will weave together many strands of people care through the framework of the Work that Reconnects, covering topics including gratitude, real wealth, the 8 forms of capital, money, ecological footprints, the state of the planet, a mindful walk, education, ecovillages, transition towns, fundamental human needs, non-violent communication, creating people-focussed designs, and designs to the heal the Earth.
Topics:
- Design tools, process and examples
- Social systems/contexts: Personal resilience, the work that reconnects, real wealth, alternatives to money, education, communication skills, decision making.
- Built environment (Ecovillages and co-housing)
- Resource use and Ecological footprints
Module 5 – Tarbert, Argyll tbc
Themes: Implement, Maintain, Shelter & water
Co-teachers: Ed Tyler
Going to Argyll together by public transport (or car-share) enables us to observe this part of rural Scotland. At Ron Mara we can see Ed Tylers’s new build eco-home (passive solar gain, solar panels, amazing water system) and impressive young forest garden, and how these designs are affected by the main sectors of water and wind. An observation walk will help us to tune into all the amazing wildlife that lives in this beautiful part of Scotland. After a walk on the beach, some people have even chosen to swim in the sea.
We will spend a refreshing evening together on the Saturday night enjoying fire, song, music, stories, and/or whatever you would like to share. We will sleep at Ron Mara (camping in the garden or house) at Beachmore (half-way between Tarbert and Campbelltown)
On Sunday afternoon we will visit Tarbert to see how Ed has been involved in the whole community there for many years – visiting Daisy Cottage, Ed’s previous home and 14 year old forest garden; Tarbert Health Centre community garden and how permaculture thinking has helped improve in the local community.
With so many different things to see and experience, many previous participants have said this is the most memorable part of the course.
Topics:
- Visit established permaculture sites: Argyll Bioregion
- Water (including 5 min presentations on specific topics by students).
- Built environment (Ecological buildings and structures)
- Observing a temperate rainforest
- Home-grown ceilidh & a fire
- Camping
- Starting the design group work, which can be worked on over the next month
Module 6 – Concrete Gardens
Theme: Evaluate, Tweak; Working together, Present, Celebrate
Co-Teacher: Paula McCabe
On this final module, students will work together harvesting what they have learnt and applying this to design a system which will be useful for the Concrete Gardens to use in their long-term development. The design projects will be given out in May, so that if you have time you can work on the design over the month. The Saturday will be focussed on the design process – a reminder of the process and working in groups to design together. On Sunday, each group will show their design to rest of the group.
We will have the opportunity to gather together to celebrate our learning, new friendships, and hope for a positive permaculture future.
Topics:
- Design project
- Design Presentation (How to create a permaculture design that is both sustainable and productive)
- Next steps
- Feedback and review
- Celebration
Next see Biographies
Lusi Alderslowe 