Permaculture Design Certificate Course

This is a reminder… exactly one month until the PDC, register NOW to join us at the Phipps Garden Center!

6 WEEKENDS (January to April 2011):
Jan 29-30; Feb 12-13, 26-27; Mar 12-13, 26-27; Apr 2, 9:00am to 4:30pm

– Earn your internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certification!
– Share 6 weekends immersed in a fun, supportive learning environment!
– Increase your understanding of local ecosystems and your confidence in ecological design
– Experience a thorough, on-site, permaculture design from start to finish for a historic landmark
located in an urban setting
– Learn practical skills to nourish your landscape, home, community
– Visit rural and urban examples of permaculture systems
– Empower yourself to create positive, regenerative changes in your life, your landscape, and your
community

Course Topics:
Permaculture Ethics & Principles
Observation & Ecological Design
Site Analysis & Assessment
Edible Forest Gardens
Water Harvesting
Natural Building
Compost & Soil Building
Greenhouse & Bioshelter Design
Mapping, Surveying, & Presentation
Group Design Projects & Design Charettes
Transition Town Movement

Fee:$770 members, $850 non-members

Lead Instructors:
Darrell Frey of Three Sisters Farm and Bioshelter
Elizabeth Lynch of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Juliette Jones of Pittsburgh Permaculture

For more information or to register, call the Garden Center at (412) 441-4442 ext. 3925. Or visit the Phipps website to download a registration form.

Be your own landscape designer! This intensive weekend course will teach you the secrets of ecological design; learn how to garden like nature! Capture and store water on your site, reducing irrigation costs; build soil and use plants that mulch, reducing your need for artificial fertilizers; and design more sustainable garden systems, reducing your maintenance and maximizing the yield and aesthetics of your property. Visit local examples of permaculture design, use mapping and site analysis tools and complete a guided design project. This course will challenge both beginning designers and experienced gardeners alike.
Permaculture design is rooted in agriculture and horticulture, yet is far reaching and interdisciplinary in nature, making connections to city planning, ecology, architecture, and appropriate technology. This course covers the foundations of ecological design and addresses how these concepts can be applied to both urban and rural settings in order to create regenerative landscapes.

Biodiversity Rising

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Bocking 14 cultivar

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As we move out of the growing season and the leaves begin to fall, it is a nice time to reflect on the development of the garden. The returns this year have been great. We have been reaping the rewards of increased wildlife, more vigorous and beautiful plants, food, and decreasing maintenance. This is only the second season for the garden, and many of the plants were only put in this year, but we have been amazed at the progress we have seen despite the hot, dry summer. Continue reading Biodiversity Rising

EDIBLE LANDSCAPE-GARDEN UPDATE

WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO??? I for one, CANNOT believe it is almost over! Yes, I harvested crops of delicious, wholesome, fresh fruits and veggies all summer long, but never really got to sit back and truly enjoy my precious gifts from nature as I usually do! I spent most of the summer with our precious children – enjoying what little time we had left with our son before he moved away to college and getting my daughter ready for her first year in highschool! I am truly blessed…and poor!!!

I did however manage to take some pictures of my backyard, and would love to share them with you! Continue reading EDIBLE LANDSCAPE-MICHELE’S GARDEN UPDATE