Permaculture Design Course (PDC)

PDC Course Outline

Generally ten days or two weeks essential course.

Introduction

• overview • definitions • ethics • human influence on ecosystems

Principles of design

• elements • zones • sectors • 12 principles • design steps • guilds

Patterns in design

• edge effects • stacking • spirals • slope • keyhole • suntraps • matter cycles

Landscape and climate

• humidity • temperature ranges • topography • soil type • landform types • micro-climates

Soils

• soil structure •humus •essential minerals •trace elements • soil analysis •pH

Water

• water harvesting • irrigation • tanks and dams • swales • keyline • rainfall

Buildings and structures

• energy conservation • passive solar design • retrofitting • building materials • garden structures

Alternative energy sources and appropriate technology

• solar collectors • wind and water turbines • biogas • hydraulic pumps • air driven pumps

Waste recycling

• greywater • composting toilets • compost • earthworm farming • recycling materials

Plants and trees

• forest types • tree crops • forage • coppicing • agroforestry • windbreaks • vegetables • seed collection • herbs • plant propagation

Animals

• types • maintenance and management • uses • integration • suitable small animals

Aquaculture

• ponds, lakes and dams •plant and animal species •mariculture • water quality

Techniques

• maps • contours • surveying • scale drawings • design implementation: rural and urban

Community

• ecovillages • transition initiative • social capital • resources • WWOOFers

Finances

• LETS • business structures • free cycle schemes • local currencies • ethical investment

Networking

• support groups and organisations • diploma work • future options • further studies

Email me for info – rossmars@waterinstallations.com