KITCHEN GARDENING

Two weekends: 16th & 17th March and 8th & 9th June 2024
​09:30 - 16:30
£300
Reserve a place for £75
Remaining balance of £225 due 16th January 2024
Tutor: Caroline Aitken
Teas/coffees included

March & June 2024
reserve a place for £75

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"The content was delivered excellently with a fantastic level of detail and knowledge - thanks!"

   This course:

• Promotes low impact living
• Supports biodiversity​​​
• Teaches homegrown food production

​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:

• 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 and how to observe and work with the different microclimates in your garden, 
  
• 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
• 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 is the lead teacher, design consultant and director of Whitefield Permaculture. She co-authored the book Food from your Forest Garden with Martin Crawford and has a background in design, organic food growing and horticulture and used to work as an eco-cook.

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 Schumacher College, Shift Bristol, The Sustainability Centre and Ragmans Farm.
 
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.