Permaculture Vegetable Garden Training

Lesson 1 • Permaculture Zones and Sectors

Introduces zone planning based on use frequency and sector analysis for external energies. Students apply zone-sector mapping to a real or hypothetical garden site.

Lesson 2 • Site Observation and Analysis

Teaches systematic observation of sun, wind, water, and microclimates before any design work begins. Builds the habit of reading a site before intervening.

Lesson 3 • Permaculture Ethics and Core Principles

Covers earth care, people care, and fair share ethics alongside Mollison and Holmgren design principles. Provides the philosophical framework for all subsequent design decisions.

Lesson 1 • Soil Testing and Interpretation

Covers physical, chemical, and biological soil tests and how to interpret results for vegetable production. Links test data to targeted amendment decisions.

Lesson 2 • Soil Biology and Structure

Explores the soil food web, soil texture, and aggregate structure as drivers of plant health. Establishes why biological activity matters more than chemical inputs alone.

Lesson 3 • Mulching and Soil Cover Strategies

Examines organic mulch types, sheet mulching, and living mulches for moisture retention and weed suppression. Connects soil cover to reduced labor and improved fertility.

Lesson 4 • Green Manures and Cover Crops

Introduces nitrogen-fixing and biomass-building cover crops as fertility tools between vegetable plantings. Students select cover crops appropriate to their climate and rotation plan.

Lesson 1 • Earthworks for Water Retention

Teaches swales, berms, and keyline design to slow, spread, and sink water across the garden landscape. Connects earthwork placement to zone and contour mapping.

Lesson 2 • Drip and Subsurface Irrigation

Covers drip tape, emitter systems, and subsurface irrigation for efficient water delivery to vegetables. Students calculate flow rates and design a simple drip layout.

Lesson 3 • Greywater and Recycled Water Use

Examines safe greywater reuse, mulch basin systems, and recycled water standards for vegetable irrigation. Addresses health considerations and appropriate plant application zones.

Lesson 1 • Designing for Year-Round Production

Covers succession planting, season extension tools, and gap analysis to maintain continuous harvests. Students map a planting calendar aligned with their climate zone.

Lesson 2 • Companion Planting Principles

Covers plant guilds, beneficial insect attraction, and allelopathy as tools for productive polycultures. Connects companion planting to pest management and yield improvement.

Lesson 3 • Bed Systems and Garden Geometry

Compares raised beds, in-ground beds, and no-dig systems for productivity and labor efficiency. Students select and dimension bed types suited to their site and goals.

Lesson 4 • Vertical Space and Trellising

Explores vertical growing structures to maximize yield per square foot and improve airflow. Integrates trellising into bed design for climbing vegetables and perennial crops.

Lesson 1 • Seed Saving Techniques by Crop Type

Covers wet and dry processing methods for saving seeds from common vegetable families. Students practice seed extraction, cleaning, and viability testing.

Lesson 2 • Seed Storage and Seed Libraries

Teaches optimal storage conditions, packaging, and labeling for long-term seed viability. Students design a personal seed library system with tracking records.

Lesson 3 • Open-Pollinated and Heirloom Varieties

Distinguishes open-pollinated, heirloom, and hybrid varieties and their implications for seed saving. Establishes variety selection as a strategic decision for long-term garden resilience.

Lesson 1 • Beneficial Insects and Habitat Design

Identifies key predatory and parasitic insects and the habitat features that support their populations. Students design insectary plantings integrated into vegetable beds.

Lesson 2 • Ecological Pest Management Philosophy

Frames pest management as ecosystem balance rather than eradication, using observation and thresholds. Establishes the IPM hierarchy from prevention to targeted intervention.

Lesson 3 • Physical and Mechanical Controls

Covers row covers, copper barriers, sticky traps, and hand removal as non-chemical pest controls. Connects physical barriers to companion planting and bed design decisions.

Lesson 4 • Common Vegetable Diseases and Prevention

Covers fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases common to vegetable gardens and their cultural prevention. Students diagnose disease symptoms and adjust design to reduce recurrence.

Lesson 1 • Perennial Vegetable Selection

Surveys productive perennial vegetables suited to temperate, subtropical, and tropical climates. Students select species appropriate to their climate zone and dietary needs.

Lesson 2 • Establishment and Succession Management

Covers planting sequences, nurse crops, and canopy management during food forest establishment. Students create a five-year succession plan for a perennial system.

Lesson 3 • Food Forest Layers and Structure

Introduces the seven-layer food forest model and how each layer contributes to system function. Connects layered design to light capture, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity.

Lesson 1 • Fermentation and Lacto-Preservation

Introduces lacto-fermentation as a low-energy preservation method that enhances nutritional value. Students ferment a vegetable crop using correct salt ratios and anaerobic technique.

Lesson 2 • Dehydrating, Freezing, and Canning

Compares dehydration, freezing, and water-bath or pressure canning for different vegetable types. Students select appropriate methods based on crop volume and storage goals.

Lesson 3 • Harvest Timing and Techniques

Covers maturity indicators, harvest tools, and timing strategies to maximize flavor and shelf life. Connects harvest decisions to succession planting and replanting schedules.

Lesson 4 • Post-Harvest Handling and Storage

Teaches curing, cooling, and storage conditions for major vegetable categories to extend shelf life. Students map storage requirements for their planned crop mix.