Permaculture Design Course (PDC) - Who's it for?
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Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever your age, whatever your background, learning about permaculture will give you a new and inspired way to live within your means and the means of the world.
Permaculture Matters is offering a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) - a rich, connected, creative course that is for you! |
Permaculture: What's it all about?
In our Permaculture Design Course you will:
- learn the foundations of permaculture – ethics and principles, - which provide a framework for living your life ethically and sustainably, and providing the best possible outcome for our grandchildren.
- cover in depth core competencies (reading the landscape, contour mapping, nutrient cycling, patterns in nature, water harvesting and management, community strategies, permaculture design principles) and their practical application.
- complete an individual design, on your “home”, or another place important to you.
- work together in a team to produce a group design of local space.
- increase your understanding of natural patterns and how to use them to create beautiful and resilient systems in your life.
The benefits
- save money! (for example, it cuts down your food costs)
- have a positive impact on your health
- increase the quality of what you eat (organically grown herbs and vegetables are higher in nutrition)
- reduce your carbon footprint, which is a gift not only to you, but also to future generations
- strengthen community
- change the way you see the world
- bring flow and structure to your gardening and your home life
Upcoming Events, Workshops & Courses
Pruning Workshop with Derek
Join us for a hands-on winter pruning workshop designed for backyard growers and budding permaculturists who want to deepen their understanding of how, why and when to prune fruit trees and woody perennials.
Date: Sunday 27th July, 2025
Time: 10am -2pm
This practical, skill-building session will be led by an experienced local facilitator and will cover:
This workshop is suitable for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. Spaces are limited.
Join us for a hands-on winter pruning workshop designed for backyard growers and budding permaculturists who want to deepen their understanding of how, why and when to prune fruit trees and woody perennials.
Date: Sunday 27th July, 2025
Time: 10am -2pm
This practical, skill-building session will be led by an experienced local facilitator and will cover:
- The principles of pruning and their role in plant health and productivity
- Dispelling the myths around winter pruning and discovering the best time of year for pruning your trees
- Identifying different pruning cuts and tools required
- How to shape trees for sunlight, airflow and easy harvesting
- Pruning for long-term structure versus seasonal growth
- Tips for maintaining common fruit trees found in local Blue Mountains gardens
This workshop is suitable for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. Spaces are limited.
Chocolate Making Workshop with Sarah Messina
Join us for a deliciously hands-on three-hour chocolate-making workshop with Sarah Messina, one of our wonderful Permaculture Matters facilitators.
Cost: $75
Date: Saturday 16th August, 2025
Time: 10am -1pm
Join us for a deliciously hands-on three-hour chocolate-making workshop with Sarah Messina, one of our wonderful Permaculture Matters facilitators, where you'll explore the rich Mesoamerican history of cacao, learn about the cacao plant’s life cycle, and dive into the bean-to-bar process—roasting beans over fire, milling and winnowing them into nibs, grinding them into chocolate liquor, and finally watching a ‘silk’ tempering demonstration before pouring your own chocolate into moulds topped with dried flowers; all in a friendly, interactive setting.
Includes tastings along the way, and ends with taking home your very own handmade 108g chocolate bar—perfect for anyone 10 years and over keen to uncover the deeper story of chocolate while getting their hands deliciously dirty.
Join us for a deliciously hands-on three-hour chocolate-making workshop with Sarah Messina, one of our wonderful Permaculture Matters facilitators.
Cost: $75
Date: Saturday 16th August, 2025
Time: 10am -1pm
Join us for a deliciously hands-on three-hour chocolate-making workshop with Sarah Messina, one of our wonderful Permaculture Matters facilitators, where you'll explore the rich Mesoamerican history of cacao, learn about the cacao plant’s life cycle, and dive into the bean-to-bar process—roasting beans over fire, milling and winnowing them into nibs, grinding them into chocolate liquor, and finally watching a ‘silk’ tempering demonstration before pouring your own chocolate into moulds topped with dried flowers; all in a friendly, interactive setting.
Includes tastings along the way, and ends with taking home your very own handmade 108g chocolate bar—perfect for anyone 10 years and over keen to uncover the deeper story of chocolate while getting their hands deliciously dirty.
Peek into Permaculture Matters
Information Session - Free
1 hour free course, giving you a taste of what we do.
Cost: NO CHARGE
Upcoming Dates:
Saturday 13th September, 2025
10am -11am
Saturday 25th October, 2025
11am - Noon, or 2pm - 3pm.
Sunday 26th October 2025
11am - Noon
Permaculture Matters teaches a sustainable approach to life using whole systems thinking.
Peek into Permaculture is a one hour FREE information/experiential opportunity to get an embodied sense of how we (Permaculture Matters) work to teach permaculture. This gives a taste of what you might expect if you enrol on one of our courses, e.g. the Permaculture Design Course (PDC).
Peek into Permaculture will:
- be fun
- be experiential
- build connections
- be memorable
Got questions?
Contact Jen for more information
Information Session - Free
1 hour free course, giving you a taste of what we do.
Cost: NO CHARGE
Upcoming Dates:
Saturday 13th September, 2025
10am -11am
Saturday 25th October, 2025
11am - Noon, or 2pm - 3pm.
Sunday 26th October 2025
11am - Noon
Permaculture Matters teaches a sustainable approach to life using whole systems thinking.
Peek into Permaculture is a one hour FREE information/experiential opportunity to get an embodied sense of how we (Permaculture Matters) work to teach permaculture. This gives a taste of what you might expect if you enrol on one of our courses, e.g. the Permaculture Design Course (PDC).
Peek into Permaculture will:
- be fun
- be experiential
- build connections
- be memorable
Got questions?
Contact Jen for more information
Permaculture Design Course (PDC)
This internationally recognised PDC comprises a total of 72 hours face-to-face tuition, over twelve days
NEXT COURSE: Spring 2025 Dates
SEPTEMBER 20th & 21st and 27th & 28th
OCTOBER 4th & 5th, and 18th & 19th
NOVEMBER 3rd & 4th and 22nd & 23rd
(8.30am-4.30pm each day
Early Bird Offer (Exp 1 July, 2025): Standard: $1305, Concession: $765
Cost: Standard rate: $1450, Concession: $850.
10% discount for up front cash payment. Payment plans available, please enquire.
Note: You will need to complete a minimum of 80%, in order to gain your certificate.
Strongly recommended textbook:
Earth Restorers Guide to Permaculture by (local) Rowe Morrow. available for purchase at the start of the course at a cost of $60 cash (RRP $75), which includes $10 contribution towards the scholarship fund.
Got Questions? Contact us for more information
This internationally recognised PDC comprises a total of 72 hours face-to-face tuition, over twelve days
NEXT COURSE: Spring 2025 Dates
SEPTEMBER 20th & 21st and 27th & 28th
OCTOBER 4th & 5th, and 18th & 19th
NOVEMBER 3rd & 4th and 22nd & 23rd
(8.30am-4.30pm each day
Early Bird Offer (Exp 1 July, 2025): Standard: $1305, Concession: $765
Cost: Standard rate: $1450, Concession: $850.
10% discount for up front cash payment. Payment plans available, please enquire.
Note: You will need to complete a minimum of 80%, in order to gain your certificate.
Strongly recommended textbook:
Earth Restorers Guide to Permaculture by (local) Rowe Morrow. available for purchase at the start of the course at a cost of $60 cash (RRP $75), which includes $10 contribution towards the scholarship fund.
Got Questions? Contact us for more information
Course location
Permaculture Matters courses are held at the inner space in Katoomba, NSW. the inner space is located in an established working permaculture garden - with veggie gardens, orchards, ponds and waterways, native bush areas. Courses will include play/work in Melrose Park and also local site visits..
Scholarships
Permaculture Matters supports Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islanders, refugee and youth (18-22), through scholarships (up to two scholarships per course). Please ask or contact us to register your interest.
