Facilitators-Handbook-For-Permaculture

Workshop Module 5: Seed Saving and Nurseries 155

Field activity : 3-D model of a well-designed nursery

Method : Model building of nursery

Tools : Model building materials

References : PC Book MOD 5 – Seed Saving and Nurseries

Objective : Participants learn how to design an integrated nursery

Divide the participants into smaller groups. Use the following list as a reference for the
participants. Provide materials to the work groups and ask them to design a model of a
nursery design. The participants can create the model on paper and/or develop a simple
3-dimensional model showing the various elements to be included in the nursery design.

Important functions that a well-designed nursery provides include:

• Planting, watering, and maintaining seedlings is easier because everything you
  need is in one place.


• Provides protection from the hot sun, heavy rains, and strong winds.


• Provides a controlled environment for young plants. Animals can be kept out,
  pests can be minimized and controlled, and water and fertilizer can be easily
  checked and applied.


• Uses soil that allows for fast and strong root growth, good drainage and supplies
  enough nutrients.

Nurseries should have areas with different amounts of sunlight. It is good to
have 3 different areas:

• Small seedlings and delicate plants need good protection from the hot sun and
  from heavy rains.


• Larger seedlings need less protection and benefit from more sunlight.


• An area that allows full sun for seedlings to “harden” before they are planted in
  the ground. To “harden” a plant prepares it for the conditions in which it will grow.

Nurseries integration ideas include:

• Vines like passion fruit, loofah, cucumber, beans, and gourds can be grown on
  the structure and the fences.


• The nursery area can also be the compost making area for the garden.


• It can be used for seed drying in the dry season.


• Excess water can be directed into vegetable gardens, small fruit trees, or vines.


• Fences for the nursery can also be fences for animal houses or vegetable
  gardens (use 1 fence for 2 systems).

Have the work groups present the results of their construction models and explain the
nursery’s features to the whole group.

Document the results of the design exercise either using images or by drawing the
conclusions onto large sheets of paper. This documentation will be useful for ongoing
brainstorms and use in future trainings.

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