Rapport on an Erasmus+-funded participation in a course on Permaculture in 2019, part II
A 7-days course in Shipka, Bulgaria in July 2019 –
The materials I have used for spreading the learning results
After having attended a 7-day course in Bulgaria, Shipka during the summer of 2019 I felt
encouraged in my then 3-year effort to develop a small Permaculture farm in Scania, Sweden.
The course included both theory, study visits and practical exercises in creating a multi-layered
forest garden with a synchronized mixture of trees, shrubs, herbs, bulbs and climbers, all producing
edible or otherwise useful crops for humans. Furthermore, the topics covered included Keyline
design and irrigation system, mulching, composting, using cover crops and guilds in polyculture nodig gardening.
The ideas and knowledge I got from the course were turned into practical design details on the farm.
They also contributed into my own introduction courses about Permaculture. The most important
ones are outlined below:
1. Keyline irrigation system: On a slope or a hill, parallel lines are measured and marked
according to the height over sea level. Terrasses or planting beds of suitable width are built
along the lines and ditches are dug in between the beds. The ditches are connected with
each other in the end of each bed or terrasse. Irrigation water is then added to the system
starting from the highest point. See the pictures below.
Rapport on an Erasmus+-funded participation in a course on Permaculture in 2019, part II
2. Forest garden, different layers. A forest garden consists of perennial plants – tall trees,
smaller trees, climbers, scrubs, bushes, herbs, grasses, bulbs, and tubers. All the species are
carefully chosen to support each other so there are fast-growing nitrogen fixers, tall trees to
support the climbers, wind-tolerant species to provide shelter for more delicate ones and
deep-rooted species to bring nutrients up from deep down, herbs, grasses, and bulbs to
cover all spaces in between. Practically all the species in a forest garden are selected for an
edible product – be it a fruit, nut, flower, leaf, or a root. Ideally the garden is facing South or
South-West, allowing the tall trees protect from cold Northern winds without shadowing the
rest. See the picture below.
3. Organic warm compost. In a good compost organic matter is transformed to compost soil.
During the process temperature raises to at least 70 degrees Celsius, which is enough to kill
most seeds and pathogens. The micro-organisms responsible for this breath oxygen and
produce carbon dioxide and heat. There is no bad smell with this kind of bacteria, called
aerobic. Anaerobic bacteria, on the contrary, produce bad-smelling gasses. Bad smell is
therefore a sign that the compost is not working properly – organic matter rotting instead of
getting composted.
To ensure an efficient composting process, there must be a correct balance with air,
moisture, Nitrogen and Carbon (6 parts N for 1 part C). Kitchen waste, manure, weeds and in
general fresh green things like leaves and grasses are rich in Nitrogen. Twigs, branches,
straw, paper, and cardboard are rich in Carbon. They also add structure to the compost pile
and ensure there is enough air stored in the pile. Toilet paper and kitchen paper rolls are
ideal for this purpose, as air is stored within the roll.
Rapport on an Erasmus+-funded participation in a course on Permaculture in 2019, part II
In Bhumi’s farm kitchen waste is composted in two steps – first in rat-proof, insulated
containers with the help of micro-organisms, and then in open air mixed with garden waste
and allowed to compost one more time with the help of earth worms. In the insulated
containers organic waste is placed in layers separated by twigs, branches, strow and toilet
paper rolls, like in the picture below.
All these different techniques have been used in Bhumi’s farm. Garden beds are built in a
slope allowing passive irrigation. Forest gardens are being developed in several locations in
the farm. An efficient composting system from the kitchen waste, composting toilets and
manure from the farm animals provides the farm with compost soil for the gardens,
greenhouses, and the nursery. As the farm is aiming to be registered as a Permaculture
LAND-farm open for study visits, all these structures will be available for scrutiny.
These techniques along with many others are taught to the many volunteers spending time
in Bhumi’s farm. In practical work they are put into practice, but also the theoretical
understanding is provided in seminars, courses, and workshops on the farm. Since I’m
presently working with my Permaculture Diploma work I will in future be able to expand my
teaching activities to larger public.
The 7-days course on forest gardening and polyculture design, which I attended in Bulgaria
2019, has therefore had a very positive effect for the overall development of the farm and
the quality of education provided to the volunteers there. I would therefore like to extend
my heartfelt gratitude to all the people who have made this possible.
Emiilia Olausson, January 2022