Courses

Join Dan Harris Pascal for a hands-on workshop in understanding, designing and installing an URBAN temperate forest garden system.

Forest Gardens are perennial polyculture systems   which mimic the structure and ecology of a forest ecosystem. Further, they can be designed to produce diverse yields from the different layers within the forest.

By careful design, the polycultures in the forest garden can produce more food than when the plants are grown separately. This is achieved by 'guilding' plants together so that the products and functions of one plant meet the needs and requirements on another.

Further, a forest garden seeks to support and provide for the needs of beneficial birds, insects and animals which reduce our work and increase yields when they take up residence in our forest gardens.

The principles of Forest Gardening are applicable on any scale, from urban back yards to small holdings and broad-acre plantings.

This workshop will focus on urban strategies of design and implementation to provide participants the skills to design a system that fits the urban aesthetic and makes a yard a haven for beneficial critters and humans.

This workshop will discuss the theory behind Forest Gardens and  back it up using creative design activities and on-ground experience

This workshop will cover:

• Forest Ecology and the natural processes we are trying to mimic in a Forest Garden
• Design strategies for Forest Gardens in  urban and suburban environments
• How to provide for and support beneficial insects, animals and birds in your garden.
• Exercises to develop an understanding of guild design to meet a plants needs and build an over-yeilding polycultures
• The process of Succession and methods of design through time
• Hands-on experience in retro-fitting existing fruit tree plantings in a community garden in urban Sydney to match Forest Garden principles

Dan Harris Pascal's background in horticulture and passion for plants has led him to work in a range of forest settings in Australia and beyond.

Dan brings a unique and extensive knowledge of plant species and functions and experience in practical permaculture guild design to this workshop.

You, however, can just bring yourself. We will provide all design materials, plants, shovels, gloves and knowledge. You will leave this workshop confident, able and ready to design and plant your own temperate forest garden.