KITCHEN GARDENING
£350
Two weekends: 15th & 16th March & 7th & 8th June 2025 09:30 - 16:30 Tutor: Caroline Aitken Teas/coffees included "The content was delivered excellently with a fantastic level of detail and knowledge - thanks!"
|
This course:
|
ABOUT THE COURSE
A four day course, split over two weekends, on creating and managing a successful and abundant food garden. The course will include hands-on practical sessions and all the theory you need to make your kitchen garden grow and keep your larder full. From crop planning to soil care, pest control to storing produce, this course will show you environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches to growing your own food. The course will give you time saving and energy saving tips and inspire you to create a garden that works in harmony with nature.
The course will cover:
The course will cover:
- seasons in the gardener’s year
- permaculture methods which will help you create a more productive garden,
- soil care, testing and profiling
- different kinds of composting and mulching,
- no-dig methods,
- crop planning to produce food all year round
- crop planning – advice on the best annual and perennial vegetables to cultivate
- how to plan your mixed vegetable crop to maximise space, deter pests, minimise weeding and watering
- Forest Gardening
- pest management
- growing fruit trees (understanding rootstocks and fertilisation)
- making plant feed
- guidance on how to store and preserve produce and energy saving tips for harvesting.
THE COURSE WILL GIVE YOU
A permaculture perspective on kitchen gardening, including:
- Knowledge of how to plan food crops and which jobs to do in each season
- Understanding of how to care for soil and create good compost
- Methods for deterring pests and minimising the need to weed and water
- Information on growing fruits trees and storing produce.
- An understanding of the principles of no-dig gardening, polycultures and perennials and hands-on experience of the methods involved
THE COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR
People who have some experience of gardening, who wish to be successful kitchen gardeners and for people interested in learning more about permaculture methods of growing produce.
WHAT TO BRING/WEAR
- Notebook and pen
- Camera (optional)
- Clothing suitable for doing practical activities outdoors – sturdy footwear, warm layers, waterproofs and sun protection
- A pair of indoor shoes for the classroom
- A packed lunch, or lunch can be purchased from the Beech Cafe
ABOUT THE TUTOR
Caroline teaches gardening, regenerative framing and agroecology on adult short courses, Further Education and Higher Education programmes. She co-authored the book Food from your Forest Garden with Martin Crawford, and has a background in organic food growing, horticulture and eco-catering.
Caroline’s experience includes managing 2 acres of intensive organic vegetable production, managing 5 acres of ornamental and food gardens at a meditation retreat centre, and catering for groups, courses and retreats. She now teaches at venues around the country including Shift Bristol, The Sustainability Centre, The Apricot Centre and Exeter University.
Caroline lives on a 4 acre smallholding on Dartmoor with her family where they produce vegetables, fruit, eggs, honey and firewood.
www.whitefieldpermaculture.co.uk
Caroline’s experience includes managing 2 acres of intensive organic vegetable production, managing 5 acres of ornamental and food gardens at a meditation retreat centre, and catering for groups, courses and retreats. She now teaches at venues around the country including Shift Bristol, The Sustainability Centre, The Apricot Centre and Exeter University.
Caroline lives on a 4 acre smallholding on Dartmoor with her family where they produce vegetables, fruit, eggs, honey and firewood.
www.whitefieldpermaculture.co.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.
