23–30 May 2026 | Ermitaj Malin (Malin) & Blue Gardens (Cluj)
This permaculture gardening course combines solid theoretical foundations with grounded practice, focusing on domestic-scale food production and regenerative organic gardening.
Taking place at the end of May, when spring transitions into summer and most vegetables can be planted directly in the garden, the course unfolds progressively through theory, hands-on practice, and immersion in two complementary learning environments.
Dates and Structure
23–24 May 2026
Course – Ermitaj Malin
With Tudor Petrutiu
Theoretical foundations of regenerative gardening and permaculture design applied to the vegetable garden.
25–27 May 2026
Practical Camp – Ermitaj Malin
With Bogdan Suliman
Hands-on applications in the garden, including soil work, planting, tool use, and implementation of regenerative techniques.
28–30 May 2026
Practical Camp – Blue Gardens (Cluj)
With Tudor Petrutiu and Ion Moraru
Field-based practice in a small-scale organic market gardening project rooted in ecological and community-based food production.
Participants may attend the full course or specific segments, depending on availability and organisational details.
What the Course Covers
- Low-impact gardening techniques
- Minimal soil disturbance and use of manual tools
- Organic fertilisers and natural pest control
- Integrating the vegetable garden into a broader permaculture design
- Greenhouses, seedlings, crop rotation, and green manures
- Compost, biofertilisers, and long-term soil care
- Harvest management and basic food preservation
- Starting a small-scale market gardening project
- Creating and maintaining community gardens
The Trainers
Tudor Petrutiu
A permaculture practitioner focused on regenerative organic gardening on a human scale. He has been teaching at Ermitaj since 2017 and is the president of the Romanian Permaculture Association. He has been involved in Ermitaj’s projects from the beginning.
Bogdan Suliman
A skilled practitioner with wide-ranging hands-on abilities, from woodworking and metalwork to tree work and gardening. His passion for autonomy and knowledge sharing informs his approach as a permaculture teacher.
Ion Moraru
After years of experimentation in regenerative gardening and natural building, Ion is now active in the Blue Gardens project in Cluj, where food production is approached as a community-based ecological practice.
Who This Course Is For
This course is open to beginners as well as to people with initial experience in organic gardening and permaculture.
The course will be confirmed once the minimum number of participants is reached.
About the Places
Ermitaj Malin
Ermitaj Malin is an off-grid learning space rooted in permaculture, eco-building, and regenerative living. The land functions as a living classroom where orchard, vegetable garden, pasture, and forest intersect.
Blue Gardens
Blue Gardens is a small-scale organic gardening project in Cluj, rooted in care for nature and people, and committed to ecological food production.
Practical Details and Pricing
The course follows an income-based pricing system adjusted to monthly family income.
The fee includes:
- Course organisation
- Meals
- Work of the trainers and kitchen team
- Tea, coffee, juice, and small snacks are available during breaks.
Early registration qualifies for a 10 percent reduction.
Income Ranges and Fees
| Income Range (monthly household incomes) | Standard Fee | Early Bird Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Range 1: below 2500 lei (500 €) | 1500 RON | 1250 RON |
| Range 2: 2500–6000 lei (500–1500 €) | 1700 RON | 1530 RON |
| Range 3: 6000–12000 lei (1500–2400 €) | 1900 RON | 1710 RON |
| Range 4: above 12000 lei (2500 €) | 2100 RON | 1890 RON |