Permaculture, a contraction of "permanent agriculture" and "culture," is a design system for sustainable, regenerative living that mimics natural ecosystem patterns to create self-sufficient, low-maintenance, and productive environments. Learn from expert Joan Herzog who transformed her ¼ acre lot in Camden into a lush bird and insect haven with over eighty-five native plants and large beds of fruits and vegetables. Each month Joan will do a two-hour classroom presentation on Thursday afternoon, followed by a Saturday morning visit to her garden. For May: Classroom : INTRODUCTORY PERMACULTURE, PART 3 Creating Your Home Garden Design concluded. Planting Successful Food Gardens and Spring Maine Natives: Selecting, proper location and planting techniques. Turn those ideas into a doable plan. Greenhouse and Garden: EARLY OUTDOOR PLANTING Techniques using a grow room, greenhouses, tunnels, and cold frames will be examined. Soil augmentation plus multipurpose garden tools that last decades will be discussed and tested. You will leave with your finished 2026 Garden Plan and, surely, some plants. Instructor Joan E. Herzog is a Permaculture Garden Designer, retired Registered Dietitian and health columnist with a passion for organic gardening. In five years, she converted a ¼ acre city lot into a lush bird and insect haven with over eighty-five native plant species and large beds of fruits and vegetables. Joan has taught hundreds of food/nutrition workshops and is thrilled to transition to teaching permaculture garden techniques. Recently, she has been diagnosed with a brain injury that has changed her life in surprisingly positive ways. She swears that gardening is your best bet against an aging body and brain.