Study Advanced Permaculture Online

IMPROVE YOUR PERMACULTURE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Take it to the next level with the Advanced Permaculture Design course

If you have some prior experience in permaculture, a PDC, or understand various aspects of permaculture this, in depth, academically advanced course will take you to the next level.

It covers sustainable systems, how to determine planning strategies for a site, seasonal patterns, water management, earthworks, considering different climates, and comprehensive planning including preparing costings.

This will give you a sound background in all aspects of developing, implementing and running, or advising others, on how to run a permaculture system.

LEARN THINGS NOT OFTEN INCLUDED IN OTHER PERMACULTURE COURSES

This course takes you well beyond PDC foundation course. It's intended for:

Graduates of other Permaculture courses.
Garden Designers, Landscape Architects, Horticulturists, Ecologists or other professionals who understand aspects of permaculture, but want to take their knowledge to the next level.

“Complete this course after Permaculture Systems and you are ready to create a design for a range of situations - as a consultant to others or for your own property.” - Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care, Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert 1V Assessment and Training, Adv.Dip.Hort., ACS Tutor.

Learn to plan and manage the detailed development of a permaculture system.

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

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
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
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 generation, diesel generators
- Fish culture: land and water, dams
- Water plant culture
- Water plants to know and grow
- Seasonal changes in a pond
- Sewerage treatment: reed beds
- Problems with water
- Water and conservation
- Swales and keylines
- Keyline design
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
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
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
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
Planning Work
- Alternative planning procedures
- The planning process
- What goes where
- Equipping the environmentally friendly garden
- Barriers, walls and fencing
- 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
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
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

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

Evaluate appropriate design strategies for a specific development site.
Explain the relationship between a Permaculture system and natural patterns occurring in your local area.
Develop strategies for the management of water in a Permaculture design.
Determine earthworks for the development of a Permaculture system.
Design a Permaculture system for the humid tropics.
Design a Permaculture system for a dry climate.
Design a Permaculture system for a temperate to cold climate.
Determine planning strategies for the development of a Permaculture system.
Prepare cost estimates for a Permaculture development plan.
Explain alternative sustainable systems practiced in various places around the world.

What You Will Do

Here are just some of the things you will be doing:
Explain the evolution of a Permaculture system which is at least five years old.
Compare the suitability of three different planning procedures, for development of a Permaculture system on a specified site.
Develop a permaculture plan on a specified site, by using flow diagrams.
Illustrate the progressive development of one view of a Permaculture system, over three years, with a series of four overlay drawings.
Explain the relevance of patterns which occur in nature, to Permaculture design.
Explain the importance of observation skills in Permaculture planning.
Analyse the weather patterns of a site in your locality as a basis for planning a Permaculture system.
Compare different methods of water provision, including collection and storage for a specified Permaculture system.
Analyse the adequacy of two different specific Permaculture system designs, in terms of: water requirements, water provision, water storage, and water usage.
Explain, using labelled illustrations, the use of different survey equipment.
Survey a site, between one and four thousand square metre in size, that has been selected for a proposed Permaculture system, recording details, including: topography, dimensions, and location of features.
Prepare a site plan, to scale, of the site surveyed, including contour lines and the location of all existing features.
Distinguish between, using labelled drawings, different types of earthworks, including: banks, benching, terracing, and mounds.
Compare different methods for the provision of drainage on a site proposed as, or being developed as a Permaculture system.
Determine the factors unique to the design of Permaculture systems in humid tropical climates, dry climates, and cold climates.
Determine fifty plant species suited for inclusion in a Permaculture system in each of the climates above.
Determine ten animal species suitable for inclusion in a Permaculture system in each of the climates above.
Prepare a Permaculture design for each of the climates above.
Calculate the quantities of materials, showing necessary calculations, required in a specified permaculture plan.
Estimate the work-hours required, showing any necessary calculations, to complete each section of work.
Estimate the equipment required, showing any necessary calculations, to complete each section of work.
Determine suppliers for all materials, for a specified Permaculture development, in accordance with specific plans supplied to you.
Determine the costs of five types of different materials, for a specified Permaculture development, from different suppliers.
Determine the essential costs for services to establish a specified Permaculture system, such as: labour costs, sub contracting fees, equipment hire, permits and planning applications, technical reports, legal fees.
Compare the costs of establishing two different Permaculture systems, which you visit and investigate.
Explain three sustainable agricultural or horticultural systems, other than permaculture.
Differentiate Permaculture from other sustainable systems, including: Biodynamics, Organic farming.
Compare specified sustainable agricultural or horticultural practices from different countries.

PERMACULTURE ACHIEVES MORE THROUGH MORE INFORMED AND CAREFUL PLANNING

It is always worth taking the time to plan!
Key elements of Permaculture are low energy and high diversity of plants, animals and microclimates. You want to create hot and cold places, sheltered and open places, places in full sun and other spots that are shaded. This greater diversity of microclimates on a property (large or small), will create an increased capacity to grow different types of animals and plants.
Design is required to place plants, structures and animals in relation to each other so that their functions and yields are enhanced. Permaculture design skills include observation, deduction, analysis, mapping, pattern reading and experience.

Observation
Observations may be carried out on site with a particular theme in mind, for example, how water interacts with the site. Observations can also be made using instruments or equipment. These observations will involve careful recording of anything and everything which may be connected with the site: all the dynamic processes and interactions that occur. If you have a weed problem you might look at animal propagators or soil and water enrichment. Compile these observations into a list and start by crossing off the improbably or unlikely items. Follow up the remaining items on your list and test each of these.

Deduction
You might examine the structure and process of a similar landscape to your own, or from nature, to find a design solution. If your land suffers from severe cold winds, you would find a similar site that experiences the same weather feature. This site may have windbreaks, either natural or designed. You may copy these with some modifications.

Reading Patterns
This is about making connections between your observations and deductions. Patterns exist in time, place and relationships. For example you will be able to read the pattern of the movement of the sun throughout the day. Certain parts of your garden will be in shade at different times of the day. Mists may drifts in and out. Or the wind may pick-up at different times of the afternoon.

Analysis
This is particularly useful for placing animals into the system. Before introducing one such animal you should list all it yields and needs. Yield might be eggs and meat, or scratching the ground and nibbling on weeds. The animal’s needs must also be considered so that it will require few human inputs.

Mapping/Overlays
The first map should be the base plan. This is the map of your land showing boundaries of the property, geographical features (dams, rivers), and man-made features (buildings, roads). The other plans (which can be drawn on overlays) are your site analysis, and your new design. Your site analysis plan is an inventory of your land and includes climate, microclimates, aspects, views, soils, limiting factors, etc.

Improving A Property

Any property, small or large has the potential to be designed into a more productive and sustainable system, based upon permaculture principles.

This course will show you how to do that in more and better ways than you may have ever considered before.

AFTER THIS COURSE...

Graduates who already work in permaculture, agriculture or horticulture will leave this course with increased knowledge and a greater awareness of ways in which 'permaculture concepts' can be applied to sustainable land management, in urban or rural areas, and in any type of climate.

These studies will stimulate you to think wider and deeper about permaculture, and will enhance your opportunities, as a professional seeking to develop your career or business or as an amateur who wants to explore all aspects os a sustainable lifestyle.

What Next?

ENROL or Use our FREE Course Advice Service to Connect with a Tutor

Principal of ACS Distance Education, John Mason, is fellow of the CIH.

Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.

ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.

Member Nursery and Garden Industry Association.

Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.

How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.

Simply click on the ENROL OPTIONS button at the top of this screen and follow the prompts.

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What do I need to know before I enrol?

There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.

We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.

You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.

We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.

We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.

We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.

Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.

Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.

Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.

How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form

We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.

What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.

Take a look at their testimonials here.

What if I change my mind?

Our terms and conditions of enrolment are here.

Please get in touch with studentservices@acs.edu.au if you would like to be removed from our mail list.

If you would like ACS Distance Education to delete your information at any time (whether you are a customer or a prospective customer), please contact our privacy officer and we will process this ( admin@acs.edu.au ).

If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.

Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Martin Powdrill

25 years working in Telecommunications, IT, Organisational Development, and Energy Conservation & Efficiency, prior to setting up his own Permaculture consulting business. Martin has a Bsc (Hons) Applied Science (Resources Option), MSc Computer Studies, Permaculture Design Certificate.
Martin volunteers with many local environmental and community groups, and facilitates discussions on climate change, peak oil, and transition towns. Martin has an allotment, and is currently enrolled in the Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Award programme.
Martin’s goal as a catalyst for sustainable change brings together his strengths and experience in his environmental, project management, and business backgrounds.

Diana Cole

B.A. (Hons), Dip. Horticulture, BTEC Dip. Garden Design, Diploma Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector), P.D.C.
In addition to the qualifications listed above, Diana holds City & Guild construction qualifications and an NPTC pesticide spraying licence (PA1/PA6). Diana runs her own landscape gardening business (Arbella Gardens). Active in many organisations including the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

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Our Students Say

In my role within a large Aged Care Facility a great deal of my employment is spent in the area of Turf management and garden care/refurbishment. With ACS I was able to study at my own pace allowing me to put into practise and thoroughly research the subject matter broadening my knowledge and study experience further. I enjoyed the way in which the subject matter was presented as it allowed you to study each subject further, allowing for greater depth, clarity and knowledge.
Overall there are not many areas in which the course subject matter will not turn out to be invaluable, everything is covered to allow you to become successful within your own business or place of employment. A big thank you to Gavin Cole [tutor] and all at ACS. It was a pleasure to study with ACS, look forward to further study.

- Craig Ledbury