Roots to Resilience: Practical Permaculture for Thriving Gardens, Part 1

This is part one of a three‑part Permaculture Project workshop series is designed to strengthen community connection, deepen ecological literacy, and build practical skills that support thriving home and community gardens.

Each session stands fully on its own, while also contributing to a larger learning arc—ensuring that any participant, whether they attend one workshop or all three, will walk away with a solid understanding of the five core learning objectives.

Across the series, participants will explore how permaculture principles can be applied in everyday garden spaces to increase resilience, reduce waste, and cultivate abundance. The workshops will introduce neighbors to the Palm Center Community Garden, highlight the role of community gardens in local food access, and inspire participants to become more engaged with the green spaces around them.

Through hands‑on demonstrations, simple design tools, and accessible language, the workshops will guide the community in:

Understanding what permaculture is and how its ethics and principles can be applied at home and in shared garden spaces.

Building the foundations for consistent yield, including soil health, water awareness, and seasonal rhythms.

Learning the basics of composting and energy cycling, with practical steps for turning kitchen and yard waste into living soil.

Exploring companion planting, crop rotation, layering, and natural pest management, using examples that fit Houston’s climate and community garden context.

Connecting more deeply with Palm Center Community Garden, increasing awareness of its resources, opportunities, and role in local food sovereignty.

Each workshop will include community‑building icebreakers, interactive learning, and take‑home strategies that empower participants to grow food more confidently and collaboratively. Whether someone is brand‑new to gardening or already tending a plot, they will leave with practical tools, renewed inspiration, and a clearer sense of how their actions contribute to a more resilient, connected, and food‑secure community.

Cost is FREE. Registration is limited; participants may register for two spots per person due to limited space.


About our Permaculture Presenter:
Patrick “Shui” Guillory is a former Division I swimmer who found balance through yoga, meditation, and Qigong during his years as an elite athlete. He later became a certified yoga and Qigong instructor, studying under Taoist master Mantak Chia, and apprenticed in regenerative gardening for seven years with master gardener Terry Garner. Shui holds a Permaculture Design Certification and graduated from the Urban Harvest Permaculture Teacher Training in 2025, deepening his ability to educate and guide others in regenerative practices.


Inspired by his grandfather’s legacy as a gardener, Shui designs edible landscapes, composting systems, and food forests that help families and communities create abundant, self-sustaining gardens. His work integrates practical permaculture strategies with a spiritual connection to nature, guided by the core ethics of Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share, fostering both ecological restoration and personal connection to the land.