Permaculture Design Course

Lesson 1 • Origins and Philosophy of Permaculture

Traces permaculture's historical roots and philosophical basis. Provides context for why ethics precede technique in all permaculture design work.

Lesson 2 • The Three Core Ethics

Examines Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share as the ethical foundation. Connects each ethic to practical decision-making in design projects.

Lesson 3 • Applying Principles to Observation

Translates abstract principles into structured site observation habits. Builds the observational discipline required for all subsequent design work.

Lesson 1 • Soil Ecology and Health

Examines soil as a living system central to permaculture productivity. Connects soil biology to plant health, water retention, and carbon storage.

Lesson 2 • Ecological Succession and Stability

Explains pioneer to climax succession stages and disturbance ecology. Students learn to work with succession rather than reset it repeatedly.

Lesson 3 • Climate Patterns and Microclimates

Distinguishes regional climate from site-level microclimates. Students learn to read and modify microclimates to expand design possibilities.

Lesson 4 • Ecosystem Structure and Function

Covers producers, consumers, decomposers, and energy flow. Establishes ecological vocabulary used throughout all design chapters.

Lesson 1 • Mapping Tools and Techniques

Introduces base maps, topographic maps, and digital mapping tools. Accurate mapping is the prerequisite for all spatial design work.

Lesson 2 • Slope, Aspect, and Topography

Analyses how slope gradient and aspect affect water movement, temperature, and plant selection. These factors directly shape earthwork and planting decisions.

Lesson 3 • Sector Analysis

Identifies external energies entering a site, including sun, wind, water, and fire. Sector mapping directs placement of elements to intercept or deflect these forces.

Lesson 4 • Zone Planning Framework

Organises site elements by frequency of human use and management intensity. Zone planning reduces labour and maximises efficiency in any design.

Lesson 1 • Ponds, Dams, and Storage Systems

Designs surface water storage from small garden ponds to larger dams. Addresses siting, spillway design, and ecological integration.

Lesson 2 • Drought Resilience Strategies

Integrates mulching, soil organic matter, and plant selection to reduce water demand. Builds long-term resilience into the water management system.

Lesson 3 • Earthworks for Water Management

Covers swales, berms, terraces, and keyline design as earthwork strategies. Each technique is matched to specific slope conditions and rainfall patterns.

Lesson 4 • Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater

Covers roof catchment systems, tank sizing, and greywater reuse. Connects household water management to broader site water cycles.

Lesson 1 • Composting Systems and Methods

Compares hot composting, cold composting, and vermicomposting for different scales. Students select and design the appropriate system for their site context.

Lesson 2 • Biological Fertility and Soil Food Web

Leverages mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, and soil fauna as fertility partners. Students design practices that feed the soil food web rather than bypass it.

Lesson 3 • Cover Crops and Green Manures

Uses cover crops to fix nitrogen, suppress weeds, and build organic matter. Integrates cover cropping into seasonal rotation and food production systems.

Lesson 4 • Sheet Mulching and No-Dig Methods

Applies sheet mulching to convert compacted or weedy ground into productive beds. Demonstrates how no-dig methods protect soil structure and biology.

Lesson 1 • Forest Garden Layers and Structure

Defines the seven layers of a food forest from canopy to root zone. Layer understanding is the structural basis for all polyculture planting design.

Lesson 2 • Guild Design and Plant Relationships

Assembles plant guilds that provide mutual support through nutrient cycling and pest management. Guild design reduces maintenance while increasing system productivity.

Lesson 3 • Species Selection for Polycultures

Matches species to site conditions, climate, and human needs using functional analysis. Students build a species palette appropriate to their design context.

Lesson 4 • Succession Planning in Food Forests

Plans the temporal sequence from pioneer planting to mature food forest. Succession planning ensures productivity at every stage of system development.

Lesson 1 • Producing the Integrated Design Document

Assembles all analysis and design decisions into a professional design report. Students practice presenting designs clearly for clients, communities, or grant applications.

Lesson 2 • Structures and Built Environment

Sites and designs buildings, greenhouses, and infrastructure as permaculture elements. Passive solar design and material choices are evaluated through a permaculture lens.

Lesson 3 • Integrating Animals into the Design

Positions livestock and poultry as functional system components rather than separate enterprises. Animal integration closes nutrient loops and reduces external inputs.

Lesson 4 • Energy Systems in Permaculture Design

Evaluates renewable energy options and energy efficiency as design elements. Energy systems are integrated with water, food, and shelter for whole-site coherence.

Lesson 1 • Phased Implementation Planning

Sequences design elements by priority, resource availability, and ecological readiness. Phasing prevents overwhelm and ensures early yields support later investment.

Lesson 2 • Observation, Monitoring, and Feedback

Establishes ongoing observation routines to track system health and productivity. Monitoring data feeds back into design adjustments and adaptive management.

Lesson 3 • Practical Skills for Site Establishment

Covers hands-on skills for earthwork, planting, and infrastructure installation. Bridges design theory with the physical work of site establishment.

Lesson 4 • Adaptive Management Strategies

Applies adaptive management principles to respond to unexpected outcomes and changing conditions. Students practice iterative design thinking as a professional habit.