Forest gardening
What does this course lead on to?
Online reservation form
Please read course information before booking
21-22 June 2008
Saturday + Sunday
10am-5pm both days
You will learn how to grow fruit, nuts, salads and perennial vegetables as a low maintenance, highly productive garden ecosystem. Includes a site visit.
Venue
Saturday will be held in Seaford & Newhaven, East Sussex. Most of this day (weather permitting) will be spent in the forest garden pictured on this page. We will then visit the garden of Pippa Johns between Newhaven & Lewes.
Sunday will be held at Stanmer Park (near University of Sussex, Brighton). Here we will demonstrate some practical techniques for the creation and maintenance of forest gardens at Brighton Permaculture Trust's new site and look at an old orchard. Click here for directions to our meeting point at Stanmer Park
All venues are less than a mile from a train station.
Course tutor
Tuition will by provided by Bryn Thomas, an experienced tutor/trainer who has been creating and maintaining forest gardens for over 12 years.
What is forest garden?
"A forest garden is a food-producing garden, based on the model of a natural woodland or forest. It is [usually] made up of fruit and nut trees, fruit bushes, perennial vegetables and herbs. It can be tailored to fit any space from a tiny back yard to a large rural garden."
[Patrick Whitefield, How to make a forest garden]
Who is the course for?
The course is open to anyone over the age of 16, and no prior knowledge of the subject is needed. However due to its specialist nature it will be of interest to experienced gardeners and professionals as well as the complete novice. The course includes a visit. There will also be some practical gardening work, though this will be a small part of the course and students are welcome not to participate in this. If you have a disability that you think may affect your ability to attend the course please contact us before booking to discuss how you can be accommodated.
What will the course cover?
- Concepts and principles of forest gardening
- Crops, yields and other uses of forest gardens
- Design and selecting trees / plants
- Planting, establishment and maintenance
The course will include:
- A site visit to a garden in Seaford established & maintained by the tutor, pictured on this page
- Practical demonstrations of mulching / planting and tree care
What you will need to bring
- Sun hat & sun screen
- Warm/waterproof clothing & sturdy outdoor footwear
- Gardening gloves if you want to get involved in the practical demonstrations
- Pen, pencil, notepad, etc
- Food for lunch
- Water bottle
Learning methods and outcomes
The course will start with a brief discussion about what participants want from the course. The course will be taught using a variety of methods; group work, presentations, discussion, and if the weather is bad video and slides. We will visit an established forest garden in Seaford and various projects at Stanmer Park. By the end of the course you will have a basic knowledge of the ideas and principles of forest gardening as well as understanding some of the techniques necessary to put the theory into practice.
What does this course lead on to?
This short specialist course is not accredited. It does not lead on directly to any other courses. Those interested in gardening or the ideas of permaculture design may want to do other courses run by Brighton Permaculture Trust
Recommended reading
These books are recommended but it is not necessary for those attending to buy or read them.
- How to make a forest garden, Patrick Whitefield
- Forest gardening, Robert Hart
Fees
Fees include tuition, refreshments, handouts and information sheets.
£140 - Sponsored/organisation rate
£140 - Individual income more than 25k/yr
£110 - Individual income 18-25k/yr
£80 - Individual waged less than 18k/yr
£50 - Individual, concessionary rate
Concessionary rates are available to people in receipt of means tested benefits, students & OAPs.
We endeavour to make our courses affordable to all. Unfortunately we do not receive any external funding and as such rely on large amounts of voluntary input to run courses. In some circumstances we may be able to negotiate fee reductions if you can offer significant other support or facilities.
See the cancellations, refunds and transfers policy.
Booking
Advanced booking is essential. Places are currently available on this course/event unless there has been an exceptional number of reservations in the last 48 hours, so please complete a reservation form rather than contacting us regarding the availability of places as these are allocated in the order received. If places are still available then reservations can be made until midday the Friday before the course/event.
To reserve a place please fill out the online reservation form. When we have received your reservation we will email you to confirm that a place is available and request payment. Payment can be made either online using a credit/debit card or by post with a cheque/postal order. A place is not secured until we have received the requested payment.
Please do not reserve a place if you are not able to pay for it immediately. If your circumstances are exceptional we may be able to make a special arrangement, but please contact us before reserving a place.
Book using the an online reservation form having read the information on this page. We email to confirm your reservation within three days, please check your spam or junk email folder (especially Hotmail account holders).
Contact us
For further information or if you have problems with your application/booking please contact us.
