This is a basic permaculture course designed to help you create a vision for your land, create several drawings( no artistic skill necessary) to actualize your vision and gain the knowledge of permaculture principles and systems that will enable you to design an ecologically sound, economically viable and sustainable future upon your land.
Please note that this is not a course to obtain your permaculture design certificate, which is a far more extensive course. This course is designed to get you get going into permaculture right away, both in your mindset and practice. It will further help you decide if you want to obtain that certificate, and give you an edge if you decide to do so.
This course will be offered on 4 Saturdays from 9-4 pm.
It is limited to 6 students.
2025 Dates
June 7, 14, 21, 28
October 18, 25, November 1, 8
Location
The course will be taught at my home and farm located NW of Vero Beach, FL. My address and directions will be included in an email, along with other info, upon signing up for the course.
Sign Up
To sign up, simply email me at [email protected] and specify the dates you want.
Cost
The cost for the 4 day course is $800. It includes a typed copy of the entire course curriculum, plus some excellent Bonus materials. All drawing materials will be provided. Please bring your lunch, and I will be providing healthy tea and a big salad to accompany your lunch, as well as some healthy snacks. At 3 pm on the last day, we will gather poolside for a relaxing soak/swim in my warm saltwater pool and a stimulating cold plunge, so bring a swimsuit and towel on final class day.
Payment
Once I have 6 students confirmed, I will email everyone an invoice. You will have the option to pay by check, either mailing it or bringing it the first day, or to pay the invoice with a debit or credit card online.
If making two payments helps you financially, and time allows you to do so, you can send $400 by check ahead of time and bring the $400 balance to the first class. If paying by debit or credit card, let me know you want to do two payments so I can adjust the invoice accordingly.
In short, everyone must be paid up by the start of the second class.
An Outline of the Course Curriculum
Day 1
Morning
1. What is Permaculture?
– A look at Permaculture Pioneers
2. The 12 Permaculture Principles
Afternoon
3. Your Permaculture Design Plan
– Specific goals and needs
– Site analysis
– Base plan drawing
Day 2
Morning
4. Permaculture Zones
– Zone 0: The House (or centre of activity)
– Zone 1: The Kitchen Garden
– Zone 2: The Food Forest
– Zone 3: The Farm
– Zone 4: The Harvest Forest
– Zone 5: The Wild Spaces
– Working with the Zones
Afternoon
5. Permaculture Garden Basics
– Climatic Considerations
– Garden Bed Design
– Working with Water
– Building Soil
– Compost
– Seeds
– Lunar Planting
Day 3
Morning
6. The Wonderful Kitchen Garden
– Kitchen Garden Design
– Types of Beds and Plants
– Companion Planting
– Diversity and Abundance
– Mix Annual and Perennial Edibles
Afternoon
7. The Magical Food Forest
– Layers
– Plant Lists
– Exploring Native Plants
Day 4
Morning
8. The Permaculture Market Garden and Orchard
– Market Garden
– Market Orchard
– Market Garden and Orchard Income
9. The Harvest Forest and Wild Spaces
– The Harvest Forest
– Wild Spaces
Afternoon
10. Final Permaculture Design Drawing