Course Aim
To provide the participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to heal the earth by growing plants in such a way as to enhance the environment they are living in.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Prepare garden beds using bio-intensive principles
Define the concept of sustainability and demonstrate how the principles of bio-intensive gardening help us achieve sustainability in our own environment
Construct a compost heap using bio-intensive methods
Test the fertility of their soil and determine from the results if there is a need to add nutrients or not.
Raise plants from seed and direct sow or transplant seed depending upon the requirements of the crop being grown
Plant seedlings and transplants according to the appropriate phase of the moon.
Plant and care for young plants until they reach maturity using bio-intensive cultural practices.
Use master charts to plan the layout and rotation of plants in a garden bed.
Use and apply the principles of companion planting in designing and planting their garden beds
Use an ecosystem approach when analysing the success or problems which might arise in their gardening system and derive appropriate solutions.