Workshop Module 6: Home and Community Gardens 163
PR
ESEN
TATIO
N
FAC
ILITATOR
Presentation : Home gardens
Method : Presentation and discussion
Tools : Garden images, black/white board, markers
References : PC Book MOD 6 – Home and Community Gardens
Objective : Participants learn and discuss ideas for sustainable and productive gardens
The home garden plots and community garden plots are the basis for good
health and self-sufficiency. Gardens can provide vegetables, fruit, spices, and
medicines for very small cost. By using simple organic methods the garden can be highly
productive and the soil fertility will improve every year.
It is good to start small and make a garden that works well and is protected
from animals. Then expand your garden as you need. A lot of food can be grown
in a very small garden.
Note: The facilitator can use the images to show good design ideas, integrated techniques,
and sustainable methods for productive home gardens.
The facilitator can use some of the Permaculture principles and home garden examples
of principles in action to help explain sustainable home garden concepts. Discuss with
the participants and see how many examples they can think of.
The following are a few examples to get started, the facilitator can encourage
the participants to think about and contribute other ideas.
Diversity Grow flowers, small medicinal plants, and herbs
among the vegetables
Energy planning
Make swales or terraced gardens on sloped land
to catch, store, and direct water to where it is
needed
Energy cycling Compost all garden waste
Scale
Start with a few small garden beds and make
more over time
Biological resources
Use duck or chicken tractors for pest control and
fertilizing
Multiple functions
Plant living legume fences that provide nitrogen,
mulch, animal fodder, and structure for vines
See solutions, not problems
Run excess and stagnant water into ponds that
provide food, pest predator habitats, and compost
materials
Observation Watch for pests and for predators that eat those
pests