Courses and workshops

Why these workshops?

We believe that our current food systems are under threat. They are intrinsically complex, from the time the food leaves the primary producer and before it reaches the consumer it can have travelled huge distances, been handled multiple times, and been through umpteen different processes. Usually all these work together and there is supply. However, the complicated way it hangs together makes the supply of food vulnerable to sudden shocks such as natural disasters and pest outbreaks, to long-term effects of economic and political crises, climate change, and resource degradation.

We believe food must be grown with minimum impact on the environment, in sufficient and adequate quantities, and accessible to all. For this people need to grow their own food, or at least have access to food that is grown locally, is nutritious, and of good quality. Our aim is to grow this food for our customers and also to teach them how to grow it themselves.

To achieve this we are developing a series of courses, workshops, and education days. Once they have been trialled we will post them here.

Pruning workshop

We hold this workshop in the winter and again in the summer.

10:00 Making tree paste: We kick off the workshop by stirring some tree paste. Tree paste is a biodynamic paste that nourishes and strengthens the bark/soil (cambium) of the tree. We will show you how to make it and later how to apply it. Instructions here
11:00 Pruning theory: We cover the reasons to prune plants, why its important to remove deadwood, what the different shaping techniques are and which type of tree is more suited for which shape, and talk about why pruning is important factor in increasing the yield or quality of flowers and fruits. Watch the presentation slides
12:00 Shared lunch: Please bring a plate to share for lunch. We will provide tea, coffee, and fresh bread
13:00 Pruning practice: We now move to the orchard where the facilitator will outline what pruning he would recommend from a selection of our trees – apple, pear, nectarine, plum, and peach. You will then be split into groups and allowed to decide which branches should be removed on one or more of the trees. You will indicate the branches by tying on coloured wool tags. The facilitator will then lead the discussion at one of the trees referring to the tags. Once it has been decided which branches should go he will demonstrate the correct pruning tool and method.
NOTE: If the weather is not suitable for pruning we will leave the actual cutting to a better day.
Tree paste application: We will round the practical session off by applying the tree paste we have made to a number of the trees.
15:30 Wrap up: Back into our barn for wrap up, Q & A session, and farewell

If you would like to be kept informed of our next workshop please Contact us

Why these workshops?

Currently available

Permakai Programme an on-farm series of 12 modules spread over as many months as you want.

Becoming certified organic

Pruning workshop

Under development are:

Introduction to Permaculture – a one day workshop covering

Composting systems

Introduction to bio-dynamics