Applewood Online Permaculture Design Course 2026

"I wildly underestimated how life-changing this course would be"                (2025 participant)

This fully accredited online PDC will provide:

* 39 hours online contact over 11 x 3.5-hour zoom sessions
* 40+ hours, in between the online sessions, of self-directed learning, with observation and design activities, group tutorials and peer group exercises (on average about 2 hours per week).
* a chance to apply permaculture design principles and process on a real home and/or personal design of your choosing.

Dates and timings
January-June 2026, 11 online sessions 09.30-13.00 (UK time) as per dates below

• Session 1: Sat 31st Jan
• Session 2: Sun 1st Feb
• Session 3: Sat 14th Feb
• Session 4: Sat 28th Feb
• Session 5: Sat 14th March
• Session 6: Sat 21st March
• Session 7: Sat 18th April
• Session 8: Sat 2nd May
• Session 9: Sat 16th May
• Session 10: Sat 6th June
• Session 11: Sun 7th June

Sessions are on Saturday mornings, 09.30am-13.00pm UK time, other than sessions 2 and 11, which will be on Sunday mornings, same time.

Topics

• What is Permaculture? Origins, Definitions, Components
• Permaculture in Practice - Examples
• Permaculture Ethics
• How Nature works
• Parable of the chicken
• Permaculture Principles
• Building blocks/ Limits/ Resource Audit
• Design projects - Goal setting, Peer groups
• Design process – Overview, Observation
• Design concepts: Zones & Sectors
• Mapping & Site survey
• Garden planning
• Soil basics, conservation & improvement
• Plants and Polycultures
• Design process: Analysis
• Design Tools & Methods
• Landscape profile
• Cultural Emergence
• Trees & Microclimates
• Scales of Permanence/Water in the landscape
• Design process: Design stage
• Working effectively in groups
• Earthworm Housing Co-op Story:
• Co-operative living and working
• Project management
• Design Process: Implementation & Maintenance
• Animals in permaculture
• Rewilding
• Forest Gardens
• Self-care and Interdependence
• Urban PC
• Building and Retrofitting
• Commercial permaculture/ Fair Shares
• Designing futures
• Diploma Q&A
• Design your future

Quotes from participants of the 2025 Online PDC:

• The course was amazing and I learned an incredible lot. It was beautifully structured. It was intense but very, very enjoyable
• Really excellent course
• I loved the interaction between us all and the sharing of experiences and knowledge.
• This course has been truly transformational. It has been healing, even though what needed to be healed was invisible. I have never managed to truly connect with my garden before. This course opened up new pathways of connection and enthusiasm and love of permaculture for me. I can honestly say it has been one of the most influential courses I have ever done, in terms of empowering me to see potential in working on the land, and in instilling a love of this way of life into me. Thank you all.
• New knowledge and skills learned in a very relaxed and enjoyable way"

Costs

• Concession price:- £275 (€320)

• Low waged <£14K:- £315 (€365)

• Waged >£14K:- £365 (€425)

• Bursary Support £450 (€520) - this will enable us to provide free/subsidised bursary places

We offer this sliding scale on an honesty basis to try and make courses more available for low-income groups. We trust that you will pay what is right for you. Payment by instalments also accepted - please let us know your needs. 

Secure your place with a £50 (€60) deposit.

The cost includes a 12-month membership of the Permaculture Association Britain.

Early bird rates if book by 15th Oct

10% discount if you sign up a friend!

Who do you know that could also benefit from learning permaculture skills for life? We are offering a 10% discount on your course fee if you can sign up a friend to attend the course. This offer is available any time after you book your own place, right up until the course starts.