A Lifelong Learning Aberystwyth Ecology Course

A forest garden is primarily a food-producing habitat and is based on the model of a natural woodland. It is comprised of several layers which are usually composed of fruit and nut trees, as well as fruit bushes, perennial vegetables and herbs. It can be tailored to fit any garden. With informed design, a forest garden will be low maintenance and highly productive for many years to come. The course will cover: Concepts and principles of forest gardening. Crops and other uses of forest gardens. Design and selection of plants. The basics of plant establishment and maintenance. An inspirational site visit to a local forest garden. No prior knowledge of the subject is needed, although some further gardening and fruit growing knowledge may be necessary to practice forest gardening after the course.

With Martin Crawford, Caroline Aitken, Ella Sparks and Jane Gleeson

Learn how to design, implement, and maintain forest gardens and other sustainable agroecological systems. Participants will experience both recently planted and well established 25-year old forest gardens, as well as other agroforestry in and around Dartington.Includes sessions on harvesting, preserving and cooking with forest garden produce.

The course will assist participants to visualize, plan, establish and continue to maintain, harvest and learn from a forest garden, be it at home or on someone else's land such as a community garden, school garden, etc.

You will be able to go home and start your journey into forest gardening, or be better informed to manage a forest garden that you have already started. And you’ll know how to continue your journey through research into existing literature and being part of an ever-growing network of forest gardeners in the UK

A great introduction to this inspiring edible gardening technique where we are part of the Wildlife!
Whether you are interested in green issues, wildlife or responding to climate change, there will be something for you. Come and learn about this inspiring ecological gardening technique to grow our food, meet many human needs and increase wildlife. Based on principles found in nature, forest gardens will need less and less work over the years whilst providing more and more yields.
The course covers ecosystem design, perennial plants, seven layers, history, design considerations, permaculture design, wildlife and rewilding.
We will connect to the environment through nature awareness, foraging and observing natural ecological design principles. We will observe natural edible forest garden edges and explore the implications of this way of gardening. All on the amazing site called Wildwood.
Facilitated by experienced and passionate Forest garden designer, Jo will take you for a forage walk and hopes to find over 100 things for a salad as well as show you how easy it is to make plans for free.
This one day session should give you enough information to have a go in your own garden and be inspired.

This course will teach you how to design, plant and maintain a forest garden. We will use the land and people around us for practical examples. Subjects will include designing with and for people, working with challenging sites and settings, converting orchards into forest gardens and designing for easy maintenance. You will see examples of forest gardens for homes, neighbourhoods, public spaces, market gardens and farms, and have opportunities to design your own site or project. The course is focussed on urban environments, but its content is equally relevant to rural areas.

Forest gardening is an increasingly popular approach to growing food sustainably and efficiently through making use of the vertical dimension of the garden. Designed as a diverse and robust ecosystem made up of species which are useful to us and which support one another in a web of beneficial relationships, a forest garden allows us to increase the range of perennial food plants to fill all available ecological niches, and boost yields while reducing work inputs. The approach can be used on a variety of scales, from container-gardening to farm-scale.
This 2-day course will introduce you to the forest gardening approach and its many benefits, as well as a wide range of trees, shrubs and perennial vegetables that can be grown for food, fibre, dyes, fuel, timber, and medicines, and their needs and requirements. The course will teach you the basics of designing a forest garden, including factors which may affect the design, such as available maintenance time, size and proximity to home, or a commercial element. We’ll look at methods of establishing a forest garden, whatever your starting point - a field, suburban garden, or woodland; and also cover maintenance with a view to increasing fertility and abundance over time.
The course will have a practical design element to offer you some experience in observation, mapping, and designing a forest garden. We’ll look at example designs and go on a visit to Nenya’s 10-year old forest garden (within walking distance of the venue). If you have an ongoing or planned project which involves creating a forest garden, the course will offer some opportunity for discussion, so do bring along your ideas, maps and plans.
Sadly as the venue is only accessible by stairs, we cannot accommodate wheelchair users on this course.
Booking is via our website, nonstuff.co.uk

This one day course will introduce the principles and the plants of edible forest gardening. Topics will include designing, planting, maintaining, harvesting, cooking and eating from your garden. The course be particularly aimed at those who want to grow in an allotment, small garden or community setting.

If the weather permits, most of the day will be spent in a forest garden. If the weather is less conducive we will be based in a nearby community centre with shorter trips down to the garden. Bring a packed lunch - or lunch can be bought in nearby shops.

If you want to come but really can't afford the fee, email me.

This one day course will introduce the principles and the plants of edible forest gardening. Topics will include designing, planting, maintaining, harvesting, cooking and eating from your garden. The course be particularly aimed at those who want to grow in an allotment, small garden or community setting.

If the weather permits, most of the day will be spent in a forest garden. If the weather is less conducive we will be based in a nearby community centre with shorter trips down to the garden. Bring a packed lunch - or lunch can be bought in nearby shops.

If you want to come but really can't afford the fee, email me.

As well as learning all about forest gardening, you will be led through the steps needed to create your own forest garden design.

What you'll gain from the course:

- a good understanding of forest gardens and why they are important
- how to design and maintain forest gardens
- how to recognise and eat more than 50 plants
- the science behind soil, fertility and plant nutrition
- joining a network of wonderful forest gardeners

Schedule

- 6 Saturdays from 7th September to the 12th October, 10-3
- Optional: Sharing your forest garden designs - Sunday 27th October, 10-3

Location: The training takes place at Edible Landscapes London in Finsbury Park and possibly at some indoor venues nearby.

Cost: £200 / £60 concessions / 3 pay by volunteering spaces (volunteer for 6 days).

More info: http://www.ediblelandscapeslondon.org.uk/CreatingFG

On the island of S.Miguel we will be teaching several courses
The SMC Sociocracy Management Course
the PDC Permaculture Design Course
and the PFC Permaculture Forest Course
if you want you can be part of all courses to get a deeper experience on Permaculture education.
For people that complete the 4 courses there will be access to the
Permaculture Design Internship certificate

On the PFC you will learn about forest gardening and how to create a stable diverse abundant forest that produces food.
This island has amazing microclimates, you can find plants from cold climates like chestnuts or rhubarb with tropical fruits like mangoes or pineaples all growing very close.