Permaculture in Five Days

Maiden Croft Farm, Somerset

22nd - 26th July 201123 places availableBooking Form
We developed this course for people who want to learn about permaculture but can’t take two weeks out of their life to go on the Design Course. In just five days, two of which are a weekend, you get the essence of the Design Course.

The course centres on a series of three outdoor design exercises, in which particpants prepare a design for a domestic garden. This experiential aspect is the one we’ve found to be so important over the years. Many course particpants say the design exercise is the part of the course when they learnt the most. It's the unique part of the Design Course, the bit you can't get from books.

Other teaching methods include talks, slide shows, discussions, desk-top exercises and demonstrations. In terms of information, the course focuses mainly on how permaculture can be applied in the garden, though the principles you will learn can be applied on land at any scale. We make full use of the farm, where there is a thriving organic garden, and of the surrounding countryside, where we practice reading the landscape.

Note: The course starts at 9.30 on the morning of the 9th. Participants who are staying on site are asked to arrive in the afternoon or early evening of the 8th, when there will be a meal.


Timetable

 

 

 

Morning

Afternoon

Friday

Introductions, Zones, Mapping

Base Map, What do I Eat?

Saturday

Multi-Dimensional Design, Microclimates

Site Tour, An Urban Garden

Sunday

A Tale of Two Chickens,
Communication Skills

Practical Work, Design Questionnaire, Eco-renovation

Monday

Perennial Vegetables, Participants’ Presentations

Garden Visit, Mulching

Tuesday

Biodiveristy, Design Exercise

Design Exercise contd.,
Design Presentations
This timetable is for guidance only and may vary from time to time according to circumstances. Please note that Participants’ Presentations are voluntary.
Tutors
The tutors are Patrick and Cathy Whitefield.
Venue
Maiden Croft Farm is set in glorious Somerset countryside just outside Glastonbury. It includes pasture, traditional orchards, woodland and a vegetable garden, all certified Organic. It's owned by the Paddington Farm Trust who use it to give children from inner London an experience of the countryside. At present most of the land is let out to neighbouring farmers but there is a thriving organic market garden at the heart of the farm and we use this as a teaching resource on our courses.
Accommodation
On site accommodation is available as an optional extra. There's a choice of dormitory accommodation and a limited number of rooms - three single and one twin.

Fees

The charge for tuition is £250
Charges for board and lodging are:  
Dormitory £125
Twin Room, per person £200
Single Room £250
Meals Only £6 per meal

An initial payment of £200 is due on booking. The balance is due six weeks before the course starts. If you are paying within six weeks of the start date the whole sum is due on booking.
Payments are non-returnable unless we are able to fill your place.

What former participants said about Permaculture in Five Days:

"It gave us everything we wanted and more." Deborah Norfolk.

"I now feel confident and competent in making design decisions regarding my allotment and garden space. The course was both enjoyable and informative. I was made to feel very welcome, and this all added up to my enjoyment." Anon.

"Patrick is a great communicator, very enthusiastic about his subject and very easy to get along with." Anon.

"I was really inspired. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with us in such a fun and interesting way in a lovely venue. I shall recommend the course to all my friends." Charlotte Grimley