Introduction to Permaculture (I)This course introduces the basic concepts of Permaculture, and develops a basis for permaculture design by explaining the patterns which occur in nature, such as weather systems, water cycles, topography, soil-plant interactions and forest ecology, and how a knowledge of these patterns can be used to reproduce balanced and productive garden growing systems.
Lesson StructureThere are 6 lessons in this course:
- Concepts - The basic theory and ethics of Permaculture
- The Environment- Ecosystems, the web of life and interactions between living organisms
- Soils - Soil management, fertilisers, nitrogen, cultivation, gas and nutrient cycles
- Climate and Water - The hydrological cycle, infiltration, microclimates, the Greenhouse
- Effect, water and plants - Forest Systems
- Biomass, how natural systems relate to agricultural systems
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims- Discuss the nature and scope of Permaculture.
- Apply an understanding of environmental systems to considerations given to how a Permaculture system is designed.
- Describe soils and the impact their characteristics have upon natural and man made environments.
- Explain the application of this knowledge to Permaculture.
- Describe characteristics of climate and water, and the impact their characteristics have upon natural and man made environments.
- Explain the application of this knowledge to Permaculture.
- Describe forest systems and their relevance to Permaculture design.
What You Will Do- Develop a good understanding of the scientific system of naming plants.
- Discuss some of the aspects which play a part in permaculture.
- Describe how permaculture is different to other forms of horticulture and agriculture.
- Visit an outdoor environment area determine what relationships the living and non?living things might have with each other.
- Explain how a permaculture system operates. Considering: -Relative location -Multiple functions-Multiple elements - Elevational planning -Biological resources-Energy recycling -
- Natural succession - Maximise edges-Diversity.
- Determine some of the characteristics of soil samples collected by you.
- Explain contour maps and how this information can be used to estimate potential effects on plant growth.
- Explain the relationship between soils and plant growth.
- Research different ecosystems such as arid deserts, savannas, mangroves, etc.
- Explain weather patterns in your local area. Determine why this knowledge may be important to the permaculture practitioner.
