ABOUT THE COURSE
This course will provide an overview of the principles of gardening with climate change and biodiversity in mind. Participants will learn how to analyse site conditions and work with nature to create resilient gardens. Tom designs inspirational planting to cope with increased fluctuations in temperature and rainfall we are now experiencing. Discover how carefully selected planting true to a particular soil type can behave like a natural landscape saving the need to artificially suspend planting with watering and soil enrichment. The theory on this day will be interspersed with a survey of our beautiful wildflower meadow and a study of suitable plants from a selection from Tom's own nursery. The Sustainability Centre is situated in the heart of the South Downs National Park, Hampshire.
THE COURSE WILL GIVE YOU
- site analysis: observation, soil, water, aspect
- response to site: what does the site want to be and what do you want from it?
- materials and human spaces: paths, lawns, food etc
- future climate: drought tolerance and weather extremes
- native/near-native/non-native
- planting, seeding and establishment
- benefits: environmental, financial, personal
- management and evolution of plantings
- plant suggestions for the present and future
THE COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR
Beginners or experienced gardeners who are interested in rethinking traditional planting or starting a garden on poor soil.
WHAT TO BRING/WEAR
- Stout footwear and outdoor clothing. This course will take place in our indoor classroom and outdoors in our Wildflower Meadow which will involve walking on uneven ground. Please contact us before booking if you have mobility concerns.
- Packed lunch or lunch is available from the Beech Cafe.
- There will be an opportunity to purchase some of Tom's plants after the course, payments must be in cash only.
ABOUT THE TUTOR
Tom Nielsen is a gardener, garden designer and nursery owner who specialises in naturalistic design and planting using nature positive plants that are reliable, tough and beautiful. He is a self-confessed plant obsessive and is constantly growing and trialling new species and selections in his garden and trial beds. Tom trained in botanical horticulture through a HBGBS scholarship at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden and then worked as staff there before setting up his own design practice and nursery in West Somerset. He has also worked in Nicaragua in an agroforestry research farm and his garden was featured on BBC Gardeners' World last year.
www.biocentric.org.uk
www.biocentric.org.uk
Check Out Accommodation
You can get 10% discount when you stay with us during your course for 2 nights or more in our campsite or eco lodge. Please call us on 01730 823166 to make your accommodation booking. Our reception is open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.
