Ecological Gardening and Practical Permaculture Skills

Upcoming workshops at Summerbottom eco-garden:

Gardening with Perennials 11.06.2022 - learn how to apply the ecological patterns found in forests to design permanent edible and medicinal cultivated habitats. These patterns of cultivation can be applied to any scale, from a patio or balcony garden to any acreage, although the focus of this workshop will be on urban settings, ranging from private to community garden spaces. Read more and book 

Polycultures for Autumn and Winter 18.06.2022 - From window box to market garden you will learn how to design effortless planting schemes that nurture soil, wildlife and people. First we will explore the secrets of polycultures by learning the underlying principles that create successful communities of plants, and how you can use those patterns when gardening. Read more and booking information 

Past events

The 2022 programme of day courses and workshops runs from February to April 2022 and consists of 5 modules. This programme is designed as a foundation in ecological gardening essential training when you attend all 5 day courses. Alternatively, you can attend each module as stand alone day courses. Choose what best suits your needs and level of experience.

Ecological gardening is different from conventional gardening. Eco gardening practice shifts the focus to low maintenance gardening, using regenerative patterns of cultivation found in natural systems. When a garden is well designed from an ecological perspective it generates abundance, biodiversity and self-sustaining gardenscapes.

Full Course

When you book on the 5 modules of the Ecological Gardening Essential Training there is a 25 % discount. Find out more and booking

Modular Course Days

Polycultures for Spring and Summer 12.02.2022 - From window box to market garden you will learn how to design effortless planting schemes that nurture soil, wildlife and people. First we will explore the secrets of polycultures by learning the underlying principles that create successful communities of plants, and how you can use those patterns when gardening. Read more and booking information 

Gardening with Perennials 19.02.2022 - learn how to apply the ecological patterns found in forests to design permanent edible and medicinal cultivated habitats. These patterns of cultivation can be applied to any scale, from a patio or balcony garden to any acreage, although the focus of this workshop will be on urban settings, ranging from private to community garden spaces. Read more and book 

The Art of Composting 26.02.2022 - Unlock the mysteries of soil to design efficient polycultures. Soil is the foundation of the garden. How would you design efficient composting systems that fit your site's needs, your lifestyle and available time and resources? If you want answers, you will find them on this course. Read more and booking information

Self-watering Gardens 05.03.2022 - Learn the theory and practice of efficient self-watering systems for any size garden. Drought proof your garden and go on holidays knowing your plants shall be well watered. Read more and booking information

Polycultures for Autumn and Winter 02.04.2022 - From window box to market garden you will learn how to design effortless planting schemes that nurture soil, wildlife and people. First we will explore the secrets of polycultures by learning the underlying principles that create successful communities of plants, and how you can use those patterns when gardening. Read more and booking information 

Directions to the venue

All workshops will take place in Broadbottom near Hyde, the venue is only a few minutes walk away from the train station. The current programme supports the development of a one-acre riverside, thriving permaculture garden. 

BY CAR: Once in Broadbottom find the train station where you can park all day for free. Once you are parked, enter the station and cross over the platform and find the gate that leaves the platform.

Once you are out of the station, on the woodland side, follow the path down into the woods towards a row of cottages and then continue to walk along the front of the houses - The course is being held at Number One which is the last house on the left. 

Alternatively, you can drive down Moss Lane, turn left at the end onto the unmade road and after a short distance park (by the bins and Etherow sign) Continue on foot until you get to the row of weavers cottages - continue to walk along the front of the houses - The course is being held at Number One which is the last house on the left.  

BY TRAIN: If you come from Manchester by train you also cross over the bridge. Walk along the platform and walk through the gate. If you come from Glossop then you are already on the correct side of the platform.

Once you are out of the station, on the woodland side, follow the path down into the woods towards a row of cottages and then continue to walk along the front of the houses - The course is being held at Number One which is the last house on the left. 

Practical days at Summerbottom Permaculture Garden

Mulching at Summerbottom Permaculture Garden 24 & 25. October.2021 - Join us on these practical, working days. Open to all who have attended workshops in the past, and those currently attending the day courses. We will mulch a whole area of the garden, soon to be developed as a forager's hedge. It will be an opportunity to get together and learn more about mulching, its benefits, and how to source materials locally. Please book here. 

A discount is available when you book on the 5 modules. Some popular day courses and workshops repeat if demand is high, should you wish to attend any that may already have taken place, please email us to find out about alternative dates. This educational programme was designed by Teresa Pereira in response to students' and clients' requests.

Are you interested in hosting workshops at your site, community garden or allotment society? 

 Look at the full list of workshops we can offer below, and let us know whether you would be interested in hosting some or all of these. You can also book a bespoke programme of day courses and workshops if you run a community garden setting and are interested in an ecological approach to gardening. Get in touch to discuss.

Background information - Urban Gardening and Practical Permaculture Skills

You asked and we listened, the result is the Urban Gardening and Practical Permaculture Skills programme. It runs on demand. The workshops can be attended as a series or stand alone day courses. Register your interest here.

The programme was designed based on feedback from our students who look forward to master a wide range of practical skills and techniques that are useful to permaculture designers. At the same time, it also supports the development of permaculture projects designed by our graduates. It responds to the needs of both our students and clients. The courses and workshops take place in a mix of private and community settings in Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Wales and Portugal.

This programme is open to permaculture newcomers too.

Places are sometimes limited to 12 to 16 people depending on the capacity of each venue. We ask you to book early to avoid disappointment and support our work in terms of planning. 

Please register your interest in advance so we can schedule the programme accordingly, and feel free to make suggestions as to other workshops we can offer in the future.

Here is a list of courses and workshops available on the Urban Gardening and Practical Permaculture Skills programme.

1. Self-watering systems (June)

2. The Art of composting (May-July, often repeats in autumn)

3. Polycultures for Spring and Summer (March-May)

4. Gardening with Perennials (March-April and September-October)

5. Design and Plant a Herb Spiral - practical (April-June and autumn)

6. Start Willow Weaving (Feb-March)

7. Tree grafting (Feb-March)

8. Wildlife Gardening (April or September)

9. Edible Vertical Gardening (May-June or September-October)

10. Edible planting schemes for autumn and winter (July-September)

11. Introduction to Hydroponics gardening (autumn)

12. Introduction to Aquaponics gardening (July-September)

13. How to preserve your garden produce (September)

14. How to grow your own medicines: herbal 1^st aid box for common ailments (September)

15. Vermiculture, how to compost with worms (July-September)

16. Introduction to beekeeping (spring, summer)

17. How to build a clay oven (July-September)

18. Edible mushrooms cultivation strategies for your garden (autumn)

The programme usually runs every year from September - early October to late March - April. Please register your interest now to have access to early booking and to help us plan ahead. We are counting on you to help us continuously improve this programme over time. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and feedback.

£48 each workshop, concessions available upon request, contact us.

5 workshops booked in advance £180 (£36 each)