Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to support plant care in a permaculture system.
This unit applies to individuals who work alongside a supervisor in most situations and exercise limited autonomy within established and well known parameters. They identify and seek help with simple problems.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify common features of Zone 1 permaculture gardens | 1.1 Identify key characteristics of a Zone 1 permaculture garden 1.2 Compare and contrast common features of Zone 1 permaculture gardens with traditional home gardens 1.3 Identify functions and yields of plants in a Zone 1 permaculture garden |
2. Demonstrate safe and efficient work practices | 2.1 Identify and check the required materials, tools and equipment and prepare according to lists provided and/or supervisor’s instructions 2.2 Adopt work practices which maximise productivity and time efficiency and minimise waste and resource use 2.3 Follow plant care instructions and directions provided by supervisor and seek clarification when necessary |
3. Undertake bed preparation and planting activities | 3.1 Prepare beds for planting of plants, seeds or seedlings 3.2 Plant the plants, seeds or seedlings 3.3 Follow instructions in relation to workplace practices, handling and disposal of materials 3.4 Report problems or difficulties in completing work to required standards or timelines to supervisor |
4. Maintain plants | 4.1 Determine watering regime for different plants in conjunction with supervisor 4.2 Determine nutrient requirements for plants in conjunction with supervisor 4.3 Clarify additional requirements of different plants in conjunction with supervisor |
5. Harvest plants and plant yields | 5.1 Identify potential yields from different species to be harvested 5.2 Harvest plants and plant yields 5.3 Store plants and plant yields 5.4 Complete any reporting requirements at the end of the job |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
Identify common features of permaculture Zone 1 gardens
identify and check the required materials, tools and equipment
prepare a garden area for planting plants, seeds or seedlings
determine the appropriate watering regime and nutrient requirements for the plantings
harvest plant yields
store the plant yields
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
the characteristics of permaculture Zone 1 gardens
how permaculture gardens differ from conventional gardens
functions and yields of plants in a Zone 1 garden
observing nature and learning from it
principles of planting in permaculture systems, such as:
aspect
planting patterns
companion planting
the soil-water-plant relationship
plant care techniques and plant nutrition, such as:
the role of composts, worm castings, green manures, animal manures and support species in permaculture plant care
when to leave weeds, chop-and-drop and mulching
simple pest protection (cages, rings, stakes and nets)
simple climate protection (sun/frost/wind)
how to reuse and recycle excess products of plant care
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III qualification (or higher) in Permaculture and/or have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) and/or have completed the Permaculture Demonstrator Skill Set.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Permaculture (PER)