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        • Unwind in the Woods Retreat
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        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
        • Natural Cleaning Workshop
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        • Kitchen Gardening Course
        • Gardening in a Changing Climate Course
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Mushroom Cultivation Course
        • Compost Toilets Course
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Shrink Pot Carving Course
        • Devon Stave Basket Making Course
        • Advanced Knife Skills Course
        • Woodworking Skills for Women Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Supporting Children through Anxiety and Trauma with Jon Cree
        • Rough Play in Natural World Settings with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders Course with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Taster Day
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Wildflower Identification Workshop
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
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THE SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE
  • About Us
    • What Is Sustainability
    • All About Us
    • Awards
    • Staff Team & Trustees
    • Job Opportunities
    • Partner Organisations
    • ​Leave a Review
  • Whats On
    • Folk in the Forest
    • Planting Words
    • South Downs Green Fair
    • Event Refund Policy
  • Courses
    • Courses Diary >
      • Willow Craft Courses >
        • Willow Forager's Backpack
        • Willow Festive Decoration Workshops
        • Willow Bird Feeders Course
        • Willow Peony Plant Support Course
        • Willow Garden Obelisk Course
        • Willow Frame Basket Course
        • Willow Reindeer Course
        • Living Willow Tree Course
      • Wellbeing Courses >
        • Bushcraft Skills: One or two day
        • Creative Forest Bathing & Therapeutic Sound day
        • Nature Led Meditation Evening
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Unwind in the Woods Retreat
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Soundbath Evening
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Sashiko Mending Course
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop:Herbal Bathroom Day
        • Off-loom Weaving Workshop
        • Natural Ink Making Workshop
        • Fabric Baskets Course
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop
      • Home and Garden Courses >
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
        • Natural Cleaning Workshop
        • Composting Masterclass
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
        • Gardening in a Changing Climate Course
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Mushroom Cultivation Course
        • Compost Toilets Course
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Shrink Pot Carving Course
        • Devon Stave Basket Making Course
        • Advanced Knife Skills Course
        • Woodworking Skills for Women Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Supporting Children through Anxiety and Trauma with Jon Cree
        • Rough Play in Natural World Settings with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders Course with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Taster Day
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Wildflower Identification Workshop
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management Course
    • Gift Cards for Courses
    • Courses Waiting List
    • Discounts and Benefits
    • Bursaries
    • Contact the Courses Team
    • Courses Terms and Conditions
  • Accommodation
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Eco Hostel
    • Shepherds Hut
    • Yurts
    • Camping
    • Group Accommodation
    • Gift Cards for Accommodation
    • Things to Do >
      • Site Map
      • Walking and Cycling Breaks
    • Booking Enquiries
    • Accommodation Terms and Conditions
  • Education
    • Our Education Ethos
    • Day Trips >
      • Saxon Experience
    • Residentials >
      • Residential Accommodation
      • Farm Tours
    • Group Bookings >
      • Colleges and Universities
    • Alternative Education >
      • Young Natural Ambassadors
    • Forest School >
      • Wood Mouse Forest School
      • Forest School 6 - 16 Years
      • Forest School Training
    • For Teachers >
      • Fair Share Fund
      • Earth Protectors Conference
    • Contact the Education Team
  • Burial Site
    • South Downs Natural Burial Site
    • Funeral Charges
    • Information Pack
    • Flowers and Planting
    • Attending A Funeral
    • Legacies
    • Donations
  • Our Future
  • Support Us
    • Fundraising Projects
    • Donations
    • Friends >
      • Business Friends >
        • Business Friends
    • Fair Share Fund
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Cast Off
    • Give As You Shop
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Sustainability Wheel
    • Ask an Expert
    • Greener Homes >
      • Advice Sheets
    • Projects >
      • Land Management >
        • Beekeepers
        • Chalk Grassland
        • Coppice
        • Forest Gardening
        • Herb Gardens
        • Mini Meadow
        • Nettles & Brambles
        • Permaculture
        • Ponds
      • Building & Structures >
        • Accommodation Eco Retrofit
        • Compost Toilet
        • Low Impact Building
        • Solar Projects
        • Tree Bog
        • Wetherdown Lodge
        • Woodland Hall
        • Yurts
    • Articles >
      • Art & Craft
      • Growing
      • Health
      • Meditation
      • Weaving Willow
      • Young People
  • Donate & Buy
    • Eco Shop
    • Eco T-Shirts
    • Gift Cards
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  • Visit Us
    • Find Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Beech Cafe
    • Site Map
    • Talk & Tour
    • Room & Space Hire >
      • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact Us >
      • Join Mailing List
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KITCHEN GARDENING

Two weekends
​09:30 - 16:30
Tutor: Caroline Aitken
Teas/coffees included
back in 2026
​Join courses waiting list
"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
  • 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 

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.
HEALTH AND SAFETY DISCLAIMER
When visiting our site please take appropriate care, some areas have uneven surfaces with trip hazards associated with the great outdoors - conditions can be slippery in wet weather. Please ensure that you dress for the outdoors and bring footwear suitable for all types of weather. The Sustainability Centre will not accept responsibility for any injuries sustained by visitors.  
​EARTHWORKS TRUST  ​
The Sustainability Centre is owned and operated by ​The Earthworks Trust (Charity No. 1079866).
EARTHWORKS FOUNDATION
Our trading company is Earthworks Foundation.
​All profits go to support our charity The Earthworks Trust.




​Charity Number ​

​​1079866
​


Picture
Picture

Main Address

The Sustainability Centre 
​Droxford Road,
East Meon, Hants
​GU32 1HR

Reception

01730 823166
​[email protected]

Cafe

01730 823755
[email protected]  

South Downs Eco Lodge ​& Camp Site

01730 823549
[email protected]

Burials

​01730 823425
​[email protected]

Education

​[email protected]

Courses

​[email protected]

Join Mailing List

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  • About Us
    • What Is Sustainability
    • All About Us
    • Awards
    • Staff Team & Trustees
    • Job Opportunities
    • Partner Organisations
    • ​Leave a Review
  • Whats On
    • Folk in the Forest
    • Planting Words
    • South Downs Green Fair
    • Event Refund Policy
  • Courses
    • Courses Diary >
      • Willow Craft Courses >
        • Willow Forager's Backpack
        • Willow Festive Decoration Workshops
        • Willow Bird Feeders Course
        • Willow Peony Plant Support Course
        • Willow Garden Obelisk Course
        • Willow Frame Basket Course
        • Willow Reindeer Course
        • Living Willow Tree Course
      • Wellbeing Courses >
        • Bushcraft Skills: One or two day
        • Creative Forest Bathing & Therapeutic Sound day
        • Nature Led Meditation Evening
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Unwind in the Woods Retreat
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Soundbath Evening
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Sashiko Mending Course
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop:Herbal Bathroom Day
        • Off-loom Weaving Workshop
        • Natural Ink Making Workshop
        • Fabric Baskets Course
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop
      • Home and Garden Courses >
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
        • Natural Cleaning Workshop
        • Composting Masterclass
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
        • Gardening in a Changing Climate Course
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Mushroom Cultivation Course
        • Compost Toilets Course
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Shrink Pot Carving Course
        • Devon Stave Basket Making Course
        • Advanced Knife Skills Course
        • Woodworking Skills for Women Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Supporting Children through Anxiety and Trauma with Jon Cree
        • Rough Play in Natural World Settings with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders Course with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Taster Day
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Wildflower Identification Workshop
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management Course
    • Gift Cards for Courses
    • Courses Waiting List
    • Discounts and Benefits
    • Bursaries
    • Contact the Courses Team
    • Courses Terms and Conditions
  • Accommodation
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Eco Hostel
    • Shepherds Hut
    • Yurts
    • Camping
    • Group Accommodation
    • Gift Cards for Accommodation
    • Things to Do >
      • Site Map
      • Walking and Cycling Breaks
    • Booking Enquiries
    • Accommodation Terms and Conditions
  • Education
    • Our Education Ethos
    • Day Trips >
      • Saxon Experience
    • Residentials >
      • Residential Accommodation
      • Farm Tours
    • Group Bookings >
      • Colleges and Universities
    • Alternative Education >
      • Young Natural Ambassadors
    • Forest School >
      • Wood Mouse Forest School
      • Forest School 6 - 16 Years
      • Forest School Training
    • For Teachers >
      • Fair Share Fund
      • Earth Protectors Conference
    • Contact the Education Team
  • Burial Site
    • South Downs Natural Burial Site
    • Funeral Charges
    • Information Pack
    • Flowers and Planting
    • Attending A Funeral
    • Legacies
    • Donations
  • Our Future
  • Support Us
    • Fundraising Projects
    • Donations
    • Friends >
      • Business Friends >
        • Business Friends
    • Fair Share Fund
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Cast Off
    • Give As You Shop
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Sustainability Wheel
    • Ask an Expert
    • Greener Homes >
      • Advice Sheets
    • Projects >
      • Land Management >
        • Beekeepers
        • Chalk Grassland
        • Coppice
        • Forest Gardening
        • Herb Gardens
        • Mini Meadow
        • Nettles & Brambles
        • Permaculture
        • Ponds
      • Building & Structures >
        • Accommodation Eco Retrofit
        • Compost Toilet
        • Low Impact Building
        • Solar Projects
        • Tree Bog
        • Wetherdown Lodge
        • Woodland Hall
        • Yurts
    • Articles >
      • Art & Craft
      • Growing
      • Health
      • Meditation
      • Weaving Willow
      • Young People
  • Donate & Buy
    • Eco Shop
    • Eco T-Shirts
    • Gift Cards
    • Donations
  • Visit Us
    • Find Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Beech Cafe
    • Site Map
    • Talk & Tour
    • Room & Space Hire >
      • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact Us >
      • Join Mailing List
      • Leave Mailing List