Permaculture Systems + PDC (BHT201)

Plan a Permaculture System

Create productive, sustainable landscapes using proven permaculture principles. This Permaculture Systems course teaches you how to design resilient food-producing systems that work with nature rather than against it. You'll learn practical design methods for gardens, farms, rural properties and urban spaces while developing the skills to analyse land, improve soil health, manage water efficiently and select appropriate plants and animals.

This course teaches:

• How different elements i.e. organic, inorganic and social elements are interrelated and how lessons learnt from nature inform design.
• How zonal planning can be used to preserve and sustain ecosystems.
• How plants and animals can live side by side in productive sites and gardens.  
• How to prepare plans appropriate for particular environments and sites.

There are eight lessons

Lesson 1: Permaculture Principles

• Permaculture principles
• Nature and scope
• Principles of permaculture
• Location
• Functions
• Elements
• Elevation planning
• Biological resources
• Recycling energy
• Diversity
• Natural succession
• Maximising edges
• Other concepts and systems that have been incorporated into permaculture
• Sustainability

Lesson 2: Sustainable Gardening Practices

• Organics
• No dig gardening (from Esther Deans)
• No till planting
• Crop rotation
• Green manure cropping
• Composting
• Companion planting
• Pest and disease prevention and management
• Design principles

Lesson 3: Ecology, Climate and Water

• Ecosystems
• Abiotic components of an ecosystem
• Biotic components of an ecosystem
• Ecological concepts and terms
• Biomass
• Understanding climate
• Microclimates
• Degree days
• Water in permaculture systems
• Minimising water needs
• Arid landscapes
• Irrigation
• Using swales
• Reed beds for waste water treatment
• Reed bed plant species
• Hydrological cycle
• Water - Direct fall onto land surface, intercepted fall, fall onto water bodies
• Rainfall, Evapouration, Infiltration
• Effective rainfall

Lesson 4: Soil Environments

• Soil Environments - micro organisms, organic matter
• Types of soil degradation
• Types of erosion & control
• Salinity and its control
• Soil acidification and management of pH
• Physical characteristics of a soil
• How to test and name a soil
• Chemical characteristics of a soil
• Soil nutrition
• Fertilisers
• Animal manures
• Liquid plant feeds
• Rock dusts
• Nitrogen fixation
• Mycorrhizae
• Identifying plant nutrient deficiencies
• Using mulches
• Types of mulch
• Weed management
• Preventative weed control
• Other methods of weed control

Lesson 5: Designing a Permaculture System

• Wildlife in a Permaculture system
• Structure of a Permaculture system
• Plants and their function in permaculture
• Guilds and stacking
• Successions
• Zone & sector planning
• Scope and nature
• Five standard zones
• Sectors
• Landscape profile
• Site selection
• Pre planning information; what is needed and how to find it
• Procedure for concept design; step by step
• Recording site and locality details

Lesson 6: Permaculture Techniques

• Forests and trees
• Trees as energy transducers
• Types of forests; fuel, food, forage, shelter, barrier, structural, conservation
• Forest establishment
• Designing fire or wind break
• Fire resistant plants
• Mandala gardens & their construction
• Keyhole beds
• Water bodies in a permaculture system
• Water body design
• Water containment options
• Water plants (Three types)
• Managing water bodies

Lesson 7: Animals and Plants in Permaculture

• Animals in Permaculture
• Location for animals
• Functions for animals in a permaculture system
• Bees, poultry, pigs, cattle
• Grazing animals
• Types of fencing (post and rail, hedge, wire, barbed wire, electric, banks and rises, gates)
• Animal water supply
• Shelter for animals - trees, a valley, purpose built shelter
• Birds
• Earthworms
• Aquaculture scope and nature
• Aquaculture production systems (EP and IP)
• Aquaculture species
• Aquaculture management
• Harvesting fish
• Plants in Permaculture
• Scope and nature of plants for use in permaculture
• Growing vegetables organically
• Culture of selected permaculture plants
• Culture of selected fruits
• Culture of selected tropical fruits
• Culture of selected vines
• Culture of selected berries
• Culture of selected nuts
• Culture of rarer nuts
• Crop plants which grow in shade
• Fodder plants
• Plant pest and disease management for permaculture
• Plants with insecticidal properties

Lesson 8: Appropriate Technologies and Preparing a Plan

• Appropriate Technologies
• Scope and nature of appropriate technology
• Solar energy
• Wind energy
• Methane
• Biofuel power
• Composting toilets
• Energy efficient housing
• Living fences (hedges, hedgerows etc)
• Water recycling
• Domestic needs - climate control, space heating, washing and drying clothes, cooking and cook stoves, refrigeration and cooling, hot water supplies, water conservation, electricity and lighting
• Alternative energy and management
• Waste disposal: kitchen waste, non composting waste, recycling
• Biological filtration system
• Conservation and recycling
• Types of waste water (liquid waste, grey water, black water)
• Energy conservation
• Solar energy
• Solar greenhouses
• Preparing a Plan
• Scope, nature and methods
• Designing for natural disasters
• Drawing a plan
• Developing the final design

Workload and Assessment

Throughout the course, you'll complete Self Assessment Tests (SATs) to reinforce your learning. These automated quizzes provide immediate feedback, allowing you to review your answers and build confidence before progressing to the next lesson.

Each lesson also includes an assignment designed to help you apply what you've learned. Carefully following the assignment instructions is an important part of the learning process and beneficial for those planning to work independently.

Upon successful completion of all assignments, you may choose to sit an optional final examination. Students who pass the examination are eligible to receive formal credit (Pass Certification) for the course. 

 
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS INSTITUTION?

This college focuses on facilitating your learning and support to optimise that learning. We recognise that learning is all about improving knowledge and skills in your long term memory. While some colleges may focus on getting you to pass exams, by committing knowledge to short term memory; we understand that such an approach is not true education, and does little to improve your long term career or business prospects.

How This Course Could Help You

You could use knowledge gained from this course to develop your own property or to eventually work as a consultant in the field of permaculture. Those with some understanding of permaculture may wish to study this course in isolation. Those without prior knowledge may prefer to study Permaculture I first.

This course is suitable for anyone who wishes to extend their knowledge of permaculture or sustainable systems. It is particularly useful for landscape and permaculture designers.

FAQ's on Permaculture Systems!  

What is a permaculture systems course?

A permaculture systems course teaches you how to design productive landscapes using ecological principles. You'll learn how soil, water, plants, animals and people interact to create sustainable systems.

Is this a Permaculture Design Certificate course?

Yes! Complete ACS's Permaculture Systems course and successfully achieve a STATEMENT OF ATTAINMENT IN PERMACULTURE SYSTEMS AND A FORMAL PDC - a sought after Permaculture Design Certificate (qualification) from our tutors who are qualified to award this specialist qualification.

Is this a practical course?

Yes. The course focuses on applying permaculture concepts to real properties through planning, design and practical decision-making.

Who should study permaculture?

This course is suitable for gardeners, farmers, landscapers, sustainability professionals, property owners and anyone interested in creating productive, environmentally responsible landscapes.

Do I need previous gardening experience?

No. Beginners can develop a solid understanding of permaculture principles, while experienced gardeners and professionals can build on their existing knowledge.

Can permaculture be used in small gardens?

Absolutely. Permaculture principles apply equally to balconies, suburban gardens, rural properties, farms and community projects.

What is the difference between permaculture and organic gardening?

Organic gardening focuses on growing food without synthetic chemicals. Permaculture goes further by designing complete systems that integrate soil, water, plants, animals, energy efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Career Opportunities

Knowledge gained from this course can support careers including: 

Permaculture Designer Design sustainable gardens, farms and landscapes.	Sustainable Agriculture Advisor Advise on environmentally responsible farming practices.
Horticulturist Grow and manage plants, crops and gardens.	Landscape Designer Plan attractive and functional outdoor spaces.
Environmental Consultant Provide advice on sustainable land management.	Community Garden Coordinator Manage community food-growing projects.
Small Farm Operator Operate productive and sustainable small farms.	Sustainability Officer Implement environmental initiatives within organisations.
Conservation Worker Protect and restore natural environments.	Nursery Professional Propagate and care for trees and plants.