ADVANCED PERMACULTURE - Distance Learning Course
There are 10 lessons in this course: 1. Evaluating Design Strategies • Introduction • The need for sustainability • Low input farming • Regenerative farming • Biodynamic systems • Organic systems • Conservation farming • Matching enterprise with land capability • Polyculture • Integrated management • Permaculture planning • Observation • Deduction • Reading patterns • Analysis • Mapping overlays • Sectors • Zones • Design strategies and techniques • Undulating edge • Spirals and circles • Zig zag trellis • Temporary shelter • Small scale sun trap • Small scale sun shading • Pathways • Keyhole beds 2. Understanding Patterns • Understanding patterns • Know your land: evaluate a site • Weather patterns, soil pH, EC,temperature, water etc • Electromagnetic considerations • Herbicide or pesticide consideration • Land carrying capacity • Assessing land capability • Checklist of sustainability elements • Indication of sustainability • Log books 3. Water • Water supply • Water saving measures • Tanks • Dam and pond building • Edges • Construction; concrete, brick, stone, • liners, earth construction • Collecting rainwater • Recycling waste water • Using farm waste water • Town water supply • Well drilling • Pumping subterranean ground water • Pumping from natural supplies (eg. lakes, rivers) • Pumps and plumbing supplies • Water use: power generatyion, deisel generators • Fish culture: land and water, dams • Water plant cultureWater plants to know and grow • Seasonal changes in a pond • Sweage treatment: reed beds • Problems with water • Wating water and conservation • Swales and keylines • Keyline design 4. Earthworks • Site clearing • Levelling • Drainage • Solving drainage problems • Surveying techniques: triangulation, direct contouring, grid system etc • Levelling terms • Levelling procedure • Levelling a sloping site • Loss of soil fertility • Erosion • Salinity • Sodicity • Soil compaction • Soil acidification • Build up of dangerous chemicals • Improving soils • Using lime, gypsum or acidic materials 5. Humid Tropics • Climatic systems • Precipitation • Wind • Radiation • The wet tropics • Sources of humus • Mulches • Soil life in the tropics • Barrier plants • Animal barriers • Permaculture systems for the wet tropics • Garden beds • Tropical fruits to grow 6. Dry Climates • Introduction • Water storage and conservation • Dryland gardens • Dryland orchards • Planting on hills • Corridor planting • Overcoming dry soils • Drought tolerant plants • Vegetables • Fruits • Vines 7. Temperate to Cold Climates • Introduction • Characteristics of a temperate biozone • Cool temperate garden design • Useful crops for this zone • Crop protection • Soils in a cool temperate area • Growing berries • Orchards • Soil life • Blueberries • Raspberries • Strawberries • Nuts • Herbs 8. Planning Work • Alternative planning procedures • The planning process • What goes where • Equipping the environmentally friendly garden • Barriers, walls and fencin • Gates • Rubble, brick and concrete walls • Retaining walls • Trellis • Hedges • Changing an existing farm to be more sustainable • Monitoring and reviewing • Contingencies and seasonal variations • Planning for drought • Excessive water 9. Costing • Property costs • Making cost cutting choices • Planning for the cost conscious • Likely costs to establish a garden • Socio economic considerations in farming • Production planning • Economies of scale • Materials • Equipment • Value adding 10. Sustainable Systems • Other sustainable systems • Working with nature rather than against it • Minimising machinery use • Only use what is necessary • Different ways to garden naturally • Organic gardening • No Dig techniques • Biodynamics • Biodynamic preparations • Crop rotation • Bush gardens • Succession planting • Seed saving • Hydroponics • Environmental horticulture • Sustainable agriculture around the world • Integrated pest management • Cultural controls • Biological controls • Physical controls • Chemicals Quarantine • Controlling weeds without chemicals • Animals in sustainable systems • Chickens • Turkeys • Ducks • Geese • Pigs Find out more at http://www.acsedu.co.uk/Courses/Permaculture-and-Self-Sufficiency/ADVANCED-PERMACULTURE-BHT301-194.aspx Or email us at info@acsedu.co.uk for more information