Forest Gardens: how to start one and maintain it. A two-part introductory course. Saturday and Sunday 15th - 16th July 10:00am - 4:30pm.


Forest gardens are, on a basic level, orchards with some extra stuff thrown in. But soon one understands they can become almost anything - a therapeutic, social, edible, medicinal, wild-life beneficial paradise if done well! This exciting 2-part forest gardening course is packed with concepts, discussion, anecdotes and practical activities to give you the tools to start a forest garden from a small garden to a half acre size site, suitable for most private or community-sized forest gardens. As such, it will allow you to plan, establish, maintain and harvest from a forest garden and, if interested, get other people to come. Delivered by the coordinators of Bedford Fields Community Garden and Horton Community Farm, in an 8 year-old forest garden in inner city Leeds and a brand new forest garden in inner city Bradford, you will draw on the knowledge of two experienced forest gardeners and their tales of failures and successes.

What will we cover?
· What's so great about forest gardening, in particular community urban forest gardens?
· Choosing the right site
· Applying permaculture principles, research and sound horticultural knowledge in the design.
· Choosing appropriate plants.
· How to propagate and why it's so important for forest gardens.
· How to prepare the site before planting and how to maintain it so it stay lows maintenance, weed free and productive.
· How to harvest produce, preserve it and make use of it,
· How to include the community, the public, volunteers and make sure they know about it.

We will see two forest gardens at two different stages in their development, one young and one mid-age, so you can see how a forest garden progresses with your own eyes. 

When, where and food

The sessions run from 10:00am - 4:30pm. 

Saturday 15th July -The first session will be at Horton Community Farm in Bradford. Refreshments provided. Please bring your own lunch or food to share. You can find directions to the garden here: http://www.hcf.org.uk/

Sunday 16th July - The second session will be at Bedford Fields Community Forest Garden in Leeds, LS6. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please get in touch if you have a specific dietary requirement as food will not necessarily be vegetarian or vegan. You can find directions to the garden here: www.bedfordfields.co.uk

Please inform us if you have a car and can give people a lift to either of the sites.

You are invited also to optionally participate in workdays at the respective gardens the following week - Wednesday for Horton Community Farm in Bradford and Saturday for Bedford Fields in Leeds to consolidate your knowledge.

Other details

Cost is 30 - 70 pounds depending on income. This is a spectrum from unemployed/concession to part-time to full-time employment. Please enquire if you are unsure of where you fit on the spectrum.

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. To book a place or for more information call/text 07922513704 or email bedfordfieldsforestgarden@gmail.com. 

Payment is cash on the day or by direct bank transfer. I will send bank details upon confirmation of your booking.