What's On?

Our events and courses

permaculture PDC Bury PDC Todmorden design course ecological gardens Teresa Pereira Angus Soutar

The new year sees the Permaculture Design courses at Todmorden and Bury advertised. Our Ecological Gardening programme (EGET) is also ready to go.

PDC at Todmorden Community Hub

This Permaculture Design Course is at Todmorden on the Yorkshire-Lancashire border, handy for Halifax, Burnley, Rossendale with good connections to Leeds and Manchester. We will start on Saturday 18th March 2023 and continue for one Saturday a month for each of the 12 months. This is the usual full, modular Permaculture Design Course, certificated internationally by the Permaculture Research Institute.

There will be additional opportuntities to visit some of the inspitational permaculture projects in the area, once the weather gets better.

   
Todmorden Communiy Hub Permaculture Design Course
Angus Soutar Todmorden Permaculture Design Darren Roberts Permaculture Design Warland Farm

For this unique course we are working in partnership with Todmorden Community Hub and the School for Sustainable Living. Local partnerships reflect the spirit pf the town and its surrounding communities. Learn more and book.


Ecological Gardening Essential Training Course

   
Ecological Gardens composting Ecological Gardens self watering

The Ecological Gardening Essential Training [EGET] is a modular programmre focusing on the application of permaculture principles to create ecological gardens. You will gain knowledge and experience in regenerative gardening practice.

This year EGET takes place at Laudato Si Centre in Worsley, near Salford in Manchester. You will have the opportunity to apply theory to practice as we survey and develop certain aspects of the eco-garden during the course days.

You can attend the eco-gardening essential training programme as a foundation series in ecological gardening practice or as stand alone workshops. The programme is suitable for students who are new to permaculture as well as students who have completed the Permaculture Design Course.

In the current course, you can learn how to structure permanent planting schemes with perennial plants, how to get started with edible polycultures, how to embed self-watering systems in the garden that work for you and your plants, how to select the ideal composting systems for your specific needs and site, and how to start vermicomposting systems that rapidly add fertility to your garden or allotment.

Read more about the EGET full course and book your place. You can also attend the modules as stand alone day courses.

The Art of Composting 11.02.2023 - 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 about the Art of Composting module and book

Self-Watering Gardens 04.03.2023 - 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. Conversely, learn how these same methods can prevent soil erosion and flooding during rainy seasons. Read more about the Self-Watering Gardens module and book

Gardening with Trees and other Perennials 11.03.2023 - Explore 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 about the Gardening with Trees and other Perennials module and book

Polycultures for Spring and Summer 01.04.2023 - 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 to design abundant edible and medicinal polycultures during the growing season. Read more about the Polycultures for Spring and Summer module and book

Vermicomposting 29.04.2023 - 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 to design abundant edible and medicinal polycultures during the growing season. Read more about the Vermicomposting module and book

Polycultures for Autumn and Winter 03.06.2023 - The temperate climate and its short growing season challenge the cultivation of edible crops during the cold season. Nonetheless, with appropriate knowledge and planning we can still grow plenty at this time of the year. 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 to combine annual, and perennial, edible plants to mitigate the 'hungry gap'. Read more about the Polycultures for Autumn and Winter and book

   
Ecologocal Gardens trees Ecologocal Gardens spring polycultures
Ecologocal Gardens vermicomposting Ecologocal Gardens spring polycultures

PDC at Manchester Road Community Centre,Bury

This year's Permaculture Design Course at Bury will start on Saturday 6th May 2023 and and will continue for one Saturday a month for each of the 12 months. It is a full, modular Permaculture Design Course, certificated internationally by the Permaculture Research Institute.

   
Permaculture Design at Manchester Road Community Centre Permaculture Design group at Bury
PDC at Manchester Road Community Centre Permaculture Design community

The Venue is the old St Peter's School building which has good transport links and is well-placed to spend some time outdoors to explore the local (suburban) environment, its ecology and also the rivers in that part of Bury. Learn more and booking information.


More about the Permaculture Design Certificate Course (PDC)

The Northern School of Permaculture delivers, amongst other things, the Permaculture Design Certificate Course (PDC). This is open to anyone who wants to create a sane and safe future for themselves, their friends and their families. The course is based on the pioneering work of Bill Mollison and follows the international curriculum of 72 course hours, as originally designed by Bill himself. Our lead trainer is Angus Soutar who has 30 years experience of practising and teaching permaculture design. Angus is accredited internationally by the Permaculture Research Institute (PRI).

Ethics cake
The ethics of caring and sharing

Staying connected

If you are a graduate of one of our design courses, you can link up with fellow graduates and the core team on our Alumni Telegram Group. You can find more details here.

Keep in touch: on Telegram @teresa_pereira or via our staff contact page


Get involved!

If you haven't studied with us before, consider attending one of our events or courses.

If you are friends and colleagues, old and new, we invite you to:

  • help out on one of our courses or drop in on our PDC sessions to catch-up or update your knowledge - contact Angus on Telegram @angussoutar or via our staff contact page
  • help organise an event near you - perhaps a local visit or even one of our Design Practice Events (see previous "Whats On") - contact Teresa on Telegram @teresa_pereira or via our staff contact page
  • recommend our courses to your friends and help create some lively and dynamic course groups.

Events Coordinator Teresa Pereira

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From the editor Here and There