Between April and October 2014 we conducted our (and Sweden) first 72-hour course on forest gardens. The course was a great Succé och in March 2015 begin the next course. We learned a lot during the implementation of the first course and have made some improvements, while continuing with the successful basic concept. Course description is now up on permaculture Stjärnsunds website where you can also register for the course.
The course is aimed at all those interested in forest gardens and cultivation of perennial crops. We mix theory with very practical elements. Putt Myra forest garden will be the main course venue and the participants will build their own grove of approximately. 200 square meters in forest gardens throughout the course. There are no pre-requisites and you do not have your own timber garden to be able to attend the course.
The course covers four hits in Stjärnsund during the period March 2015 to March 2016 with a total of 72 teaching hours. Between meetings, participants can deepen their knowledge in the form of a voluntary project. That's more than half a year between the hit 3 and 4 for the participants to have ample time to complete their projects. The project may involve exploring a topic that you are particularly interested in and that are linked to forest gardens or to conduct a design project, ie. to plan a forest garden from vision, goals and site analysis to implementation plan.
The content of the various sessions will look like this:
Hit 1, 20-22 March 2015:
– What is the woodland gardens?
– Forest Garden Design
– Propagation Techniques: Ympning, cuttings. All participants must bring their own two apple trees and some bushes!
– Winter Pruning - Structure pruning of young trees and shrubs
– Inspiring examples from forestry horticulture world
– Selection of project / depth task
Hit 2, 8-10 May 2015:
– How do I find a good place for my woodland garden? Location Observation and mapping technicians
– Crude Forms: Perennial vegetables for Swedish climate.
– Soil Knowledge
– Scarification Techniques
– The role of water in the forest garden
– Biodiversity: One of the keys to a successful timber garden
Hit 3, 28-30 August 2015:
– Crude Forms: Trees and shrubs
– Micro Climate and microclimate manipulation
– Polykulturer: The art of sampling out perennials
– Planting Techniques and plant location.
– Summer Pruning of fruit trees
– Fröförökningstekniker part 1
Hit 4, 11-13 March 2016:
– Fröförökningstekniker part 2
– Nötodling in Swedish climate
– Presentation of project work
– A diet- and health perspective on the forest garden
– Processing of forest garden products
– Forum: Where do we go with what we have learned? What are the open questions remain?
In the fall 2015 there will also be carried out a study on the Botanical Garden in Uppsala. The date is determined in consultation with the participants.
Head teachers on the course will except me being Martin Gustafsson and Annevi Sjöberg. Course fee is 7500 SEK and includes lunch, dinner, and refreshments at all course sessions. Plant material in the form of rootstocks, scions and cuttings are also included. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase timber garden plants for a discounted price at the rate hit 2 and 3. Members of the association Permakultur i Sverige may 300 SEK discount on the course fee, so it pays to join the association!
More information is available at Permaculture Stjärnsunds website where you can also register for the course. Hope to see you in March!