Introduction to Permaculture
2-Day Course
This beginner-friendly course teaches you how to live more sustainably and in harmony with nature using permaculture principles. Through four interactive workshops, you’ll build a strong foundation in permaculture design and practices.
What we cover
We explore key concepts and hands-on techniques for creating sustainable, regenerative systems. Each workshop focuses on a core aspect of permaculture, giving you a well-rounded, practical understanding by the end of the 2-day course.
Workshop content
Day 1
Introduction to Permaculture Design Principles
PresentationLearn about the history and evolution of permaculture practices.
Understand the core ethics and principles of permaculture.
Discover how permaculture can be applied in various environments to allow nature to flow most efficiently and abundantly
Discover where to start with any Permaculture Design. Topics we’ll cover:
The 80/20 principle in permaculture design
Design vision
Sector analysis
Elements and structures
Water harvesting and management
Soil
Zoning (what system goes where within a design and why)
Efficient garden design layout, taking into consideration your values, lifestyle and time
Ongoing garden/project management
Soil Health & Management
Hands-on workshopExplore the importance of soil in permaculture and how to make soil.
Composting and what system is best for you/ your project
Learn techniques for assessing and improving soil quality,
Practical Workshop will include:
How to set up the best 30-day hot composting system (Berkley method)
Soil pH testing
Making liquid fertilizer (compost tea)
Day 2 
No Dig Raised garden beds
Hands-on workshopDiscover how to make no dig garden beds that can be planted in straight away
Learn about mulching and building and protecting the soil in garden beds
Companion planting + Nitrogen fixing and the benefits.
What to use based on your unique project and environment.
Water management techniques
Hands-on WorkshopDiscover how to make banana circles + why they’re very useful in water management within a permaculture design.
How gravity is our friend - swales on contour and flow of water within a design/ project
Practical workshop will include: designing and making a Banana circle, what and how to plant + mulching and watering and where is good to place within a project and why
Why take this Introduction to Permaculture course?
Expert Instruction: This workshop is led by experienced permaculture designers and practitioners.
Hands-On Learning: Engage in practical activities that reinforce theoretical knowledge.
Community Building: Connect with like-minded individuals passionate about sustainable living.
Detailed handouts: Receive supportive handouts and resources to support your learning journey.
About your instructor
Justin Robertshaw
Justin has over 10 years of experience in permaculture design, having developed, managed, and implemented projects across a variety of venues. His work spans luxury island resorts, such as the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles and Soneva in the Maldives and Thailand, as well as eco villages, holistic retreat centers, ashrams, elementary schools, and permaculture training centers throughout Southeast Asia and Europe.
Justin provides permaculture consultation services for both individual and corporate clients. He has assisted in Permaculture Design Certification trainings with Master Permaculturist Mark Garrett, helping to inspire and prepare Bhutanese youth for diverse economic opportunities.
Additionally, he has managed permaculture and waste management teams of over 40 people and collaborated closely with local permaculture specialists in Indonesia and Portugal.
His contributions also include giving waste management workshops and talks for local government offices and elementary schools in Kashmir and South Goa, India.
With a deep commitment to hands-on learning, he has volunteered for over two years on various permaculture projects across India, Bali, and Portugal.
He earned his Permaculture Design Certification from Christian Shearer, the founder of the Panya Project, one of the most well-respected permaculture education centers in Southeast Asia.
Course Logistics
Duration: Each workshop runs 2.5 hours, for a total of 10 hours
Location requirements: You need an available outdoor area for hands-on workshops + indoor space for the slideshow presentation
