Another common mistake is that some people start planting in large patches. The recommendation is to start small-scale, and once the expected result is achieved, to expand.

Elena Mărgineanu, PhD student and lecturer in environmental law, was one of the participants in the permaculture design course. She is working on a permaculture project for her thesis. She planted in a circular shape all the fruit tree species growing in the Republic of Moldova on seven hectares of land in Anenii Noi. “This is something unique. I started from the earliest fruit-bearing trees all the way to the latest. I have also planted regular trees to maintain shade over the plants that need it. I want to get the healthiest possible yields and this is exactly what I learned in the course: how to make sure that the humidity is preserved, with the minimum use of water.”

Alexandr Gușenco, artist and sculptor, attended the course as well. He first discovered the concept of permanent culture in Ukraine. “I have lived in Ukraine for a long time, then returned to Moldova, to the left bank of the Nistru river. We need to pass on this knowledge to other people, to popularise permaculture, so that they know how to use natural resources, how to limit the use of chemical fertilisers, which affect the soil’s composition.”

The location that hosted the course was not random – the Hagimus monastery, Căușeni district. The nuns who work in the monastery household were also impressed with the earned knowledge.

“After this course I think we will set up a pit for compost and another for animal waste so we can use it on the farmland. I learned many interesting things, such as solar energy, and we are already thinking about harnessing it,” says Mother Evsevia.