one-day course

edible forest gardening

venue: Old Sleningford Farm, North Yorkshire

This one-day course is an introduction to growing fruit, herbs, salad, vegetables and nuts in a highly productive but potentially low-maintenance planting scheme. By the end of the day, participants will have a basic understanding of the principles of a forest garden. No previous knowledge is required and the content of the day will be pitched at the level of the participants' existing gardening experience.

A forest garden can be created from new, or from an existing planting - an orchard for example. You don’t need a huge amount of space either - a ‘forest’ can be created with just a few trees, or hundreds. Old Sleningford Farm has a 5-year-old forest garden which is still being planted, but already has high yields of produce, and will be used to demonstrate what you will learn throughout the day.

The learning sessions will be a mix of classroom and outdoor sessions with plenty of discussion and question time. Content will include:

  • basic design of a forest garden
  • choosing plants and trees
  • potential yields
  • maintenance once the planting has been done

Please wear warm / waterproof clothing and outdoor shoes or bring wellies to change in to. If you would like to see the rest of the farm (raised beds, polytunnel, orchard and animals), please allow at least an extra half hour after the end of the course.

more on forest gardening


how to book:
  

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arrive:
  
around 9.45 for a 10am prompt start
depart:
  
after the course finishes at 4pm
directions:
  
click here for a map and directions to Old Sleningford Farm
what to bring:
  
warm clothes; pen and notebook
let us know:
  
if you are veggie, vegan, or have any special needs or dietary requirements
price:
  
£45
Refundable up to two weeks prior to course (minus £20 admin fee)
No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course
lunch:
  
provided
discounts:
 
car sharing:
  
visit our car sharing forum to offer or request a lift
 

 

 

 


Old Sleningford's forest garden consists of several layers - fruit trees such as apples and plums, fruit bushes such as gooseberries, raspberries and blackcurrants, and a lower layer of herbs, strawberries, rhubarb, etc. The whole garden provides large yields for very little work - which can't be bad!



 

 



making a willow seating area at the entrance to the forest garden

 

 

 

 


picking apples and raspberries in the forest garden in autumn