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NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 10:24 pm Post subject:
I haven't been on a course, but I enjoy reading around and trying things out, plus I only have a garden to play with. In a bigger, permanent area I might be inclined to do a proper design course, it's better to put your trees in the right place as they're pretty permanent!

bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 10:25 pm Post subject:

Piggyphile wrote:

I did one of Martin Crawfords weekend forest gardening courses and am now trying to develop a forest garden. Also have a veggie patch as well using no dig and mulching methods. I need to put more work hours in though. Also did a sustainable smallholding course with these people https://www.lowimpact.org/courses.htm run by Simon Fairlie, realy good

Once you get it going will it need much work. Or are you gonna have to see

bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 10:31 pm Post subject:
Yeah, im inclined to just try and do it and look up as much as i can. I tend to get put off if its piled on at once and i think i cant do it. Iv got a bad habit of that! Maybe a short course would be good though. Its interesting hearing what others are doing though

bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 13 10:33 pm Post subject:

oldish chris wrote:

Permaculture is becoming a wide church with many approaches. Your particular approach will depend on your own circumstances. I have found the Permie Mag to be inspirational ( https://www.permaculture.co.uk/ ), I recommend it.

My back garden is more "informed by permaculture".

Do you find the permaculture method has helped? What difference have you found from conventional growing

baldybloke

Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 1388
Location: Wiltshire

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 12:48 am Post subject:

bowtop wrote:

baldybloke wrote:

Check out the Permaculture Association website and you might find a local Introduction to Permaculture course. These are weekend only and will give you a good idea. Aranya's book on Permaculture design is a pretty good starting point as well.

I was thinking of getting that book actually. Yeah a weekend course would be good, just cant afford a whole week. Would you say its necessary to go on a course though?

I did an introduction course a few years back and really enjoyed it and it gave me a lot of inspiration. Just haven't followed it up with a PDC. Lack of time and dosh.

Piggyphile

Joined: 02 Apr 2009
Posts: 891
Location: Galicia

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 9:00 am Post subject:
I hope the forest garden will be low maintainance. Martin reckons he does a couple of days a month maintainance mostly with garden shears trimming back some of the more aggressive plants and if he weeds, he drops the plant on the ground so it rots but minimal weeding. I shall have to wait and see. His forest gardening and perennial plants books are very good.

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 9:26 am Post subject:
Bowtop, have you done any kind of gardening or landscaping before? If not, a course might be a good idea If you're already familiar with garden jargon, you might learn more just be visiting e.g. garden fairs (there's one at Stoneleigh in March I think?)

oldish chris

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 4148
Location: Comfortably Wet Southport

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 9:53 am Post subject:

bowtop wrote:

oldish chris wrote:

Do you find the permaculture method has helped? What difference have you found from conventional growing

Permaculture isn't a method, its an approach based on ecological principles. Intellectually, I think that Permaculture is quite a challenge and for the congenitally curious, a fascinating subject.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 10:08 am Post subject:

oldish chris wrote:

Permaculture isn't a method, its an approach based on ecological principles. Intellectually, I think that Permaculture is quite a challenge and for the congenitally curious, a fascinating subject.

And the more practical aspects of permaculture seem, to me at least, to be basic common sense. I think too many get bogged down in the physiological arguments and forget to get on with things. (I have several books and have read the PM magazine for several years now).

I would suggest to anyone not familiar to it to get a basic book from their library and have a quick look through before going on a course, to see if it's for you and to see if you need to do it.

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 11:04 am Post subject:

Yes, that's why I like the "forest garden" and hugelkultur - simple methods, explanations behind it (such as planting of N-fixing plants, windbreaks, considering the changes through the year and seasons so you can plant early crops in deciduous shade), suggestions, and.....off you go!

Remember that however many courses you go on, they are not on your land, in your soil, with your sun (ha!) or frost tendencies

Mithril

Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Posts: 1755
Location: wessex

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 11:24 am Post subject:

It's a very interesting topic. I agree much of it is common sense (when I looked at my little plot I found much of what I'd already done, before I'd even heard of permaculture, didn't need changing. I've added lots though).

I haven't been on a course, but I've read lots. I think until I have the money to do the full design course I'll hold off as there is so much info. out there. Plus, I've got involved in a permculture community garden which is really interesting and nothing beats practical experience.

bowtop

Joined: 20 Jan 2013
Posts: 25

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 12:04 pm Post subject:

Mithril wrote:

I really liked the idea of a community permaculture type garden. Would love to do it where i live if people would like to get involved. We'll see.Do you get much food from it, and are people quite interested in it?I havnt really had any experience with gardening, but id like to start. Would love to help the planet and grow my own food. Thats what i like about the idea of permaculture, it helps the wildlife system.

Mithril

Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Posts: 1755
Location: wessex

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 1:41 pm Post subject:

Not sure where you are, but if you are in or near a transition town you may find such a project is already underway.

My local community garden is in it's infancy (I think it started March last year) and I've only been involved for a few months. It's a long term venture but I believe some crops were harvested and distributed last year. My motivation is for learning as much as anything else, which is fine as giving people the skills to grow their own is one of the objectives of the project.

Edit: Here's a link on transition towns etc.
https://transitionculture.org/

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 13 3:01 pm Post subject:
Just came across this blog https://milkwood.net/ Seems to cover lots! Based in Australia though

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 13 3:16 pm Post subject:
If you're in the borders this chap's doing short courses https://grahambell.org/permaculture-2/forest-gardening

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