Education
Working with a conscious community and tapping into Nature’s intelligence allows us to co-create outdoor living spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but also deeply ecologically integrated.
Beyond Gardens Education is our sister non-profit organization dedicated to spreading permaculture education throughout the San José community in the form of hands-on, interactive workshops. Through partnership with Santa Clara Valley Water, Beyond Gardens Education is proud to announce an immersion experience, a training program with actual hands-on installations of water conservation systems and eco-gardens using the power and principles of Permaculture.
Learn rainstorm management, greywater installation, lawn conversion, effective irrigation systems, sheet mulching for soil amendment and conservation, compost system construction and more in this first-of-its-kind, hands-on permaculture skills training. Click here to register for the next program.
Skills you can
take home
Beyond Gardens Education brings people together to raise awareness of the financial, environmental and aesthetic benefits of ecological and climate-appropriate landscaping. We conduct workshops for homeowners and landscapers to teach permaculture design principles and provide step-by-step hands-on instruction of sustainable landscaping skills. We work with relevant community partners to ensure that people from all socio-economic groups have access to the workshops.
Hands-On Education
Hands-On Education
Learn by building real systems in real yards, not by watching slides.
Build Strong Communities
Connect With Nature
Highlights from Earth Month 2017
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Beyond Gardens Education is our nonprofit sister organization, dedicated to spreading permaculture education throughout the San José community through hands-on, interactive workshops. Founder Elizabeth Sarmiento started it to teach people how to transform a simple lawn into an eco-friendly garden. It raises awareness of the financial, environmental and aesthetic benefits of ecological, climate-appropriate landscaping.
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The training, offered in partnership with Valley Water, teaches rainstorm management, greywater installation, lawn conversion, effective irrigation systems, sheet mulching for soil amendment and conservation, and compost system construction. Participants learn through actual installations of water conservation systems and eco-gardens, guided by permaculture principles, in a first-of-its-kind skills training.
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Workshops are designed for homeowners and landscapers, and past trainings have also welcomed students and residents across Santa Clara County. Beyond Gardens Education works with community partners to make sure people from all socio-economic groups can attend. Skills are taught step by step through hands-on instruction, and past programs have welcomed both seasoned gardeners and people new to permaculture.
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Because sustainable landscaping is best learned by doing it. Participants build real systems in real yards, such as greywater lines, rain capture, sheet mulch and compost systems, instead of watching slides. Working side by side also builds community and a connection with nature, and the skills can be put to use right away at home or in the neighborhood.
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Many supporters are Beyond Gardens clients who have become board members, donors and sponsors, helping students learn these skills. Local businesses help too: Capitol Wholesale Nursery has donated plants, spread the word and joined workshops, and sponsors make free workshops possible. To donate, sponsor or get involved, contact us and ask about Beyond Gardens Education.