We are currently offering the Permaculture Design courses at Bury and Broadbottom. Our Ecological Gardening programme (EGET) continues. As part of our events programme, Edwina Hodkinson will deliver a series of herbal medicine workshops at the Laudato Si centre, Worsley.
PDC at Manchester Road Community Centre,Bury
You may join this year's Permaculture Design Course at Bury on Saturday 1st July 2023 and and continue for one Saturday a month into next year. It is a full, modular Permaculture Design Course, certificated internationally by the Permaculture Research Institute.
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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.
PDC at Broadbottom near Hyde
Following the sucess of the 2022 course, our Permaculture Design Course at Broadbottom near Hyde, Cheshire will run again this year starting on Saturday 23rd September 2023. It is a full, modular PDC, certificated internationally by the Permaculture Research Institute.. Learn more and book.
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Ecological Gardening Essential Training Course
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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 e#herbal_medicinessential 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
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Herbal medicine workshops in Salford
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Medical Herbalist Edwina Hodkinson will be running seasonal workshops on how to make herbal medicines at home. You will learn how to build up your own medicine cabinet as the seasons unfold to support your health and deal with common ailments. The Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter Home Medicine workshops will take place at Laudato Si Centre in Worsley, near Salford, Manchester.
If you were fortunate to attend the last series of seasonal talks with the Northern School of Permaculture you know how inspiring and informative Edwina's talks are. Join us for this workshops series where guided by Edwina you will will learn how to deepen your relationship with nature's landscapes and your garden by developing your awareness of the plants that grow around you and making medicines that support your wellbeing.
You can attend the four workshops or attend individual ones according to your availability. Places are limited so book early.
Spring Medicine - Edwina shares her expertise in working with spring medicine plants, and why working with them is so important for our bodies as we wake up the energy of spring and move out of winter. The energy of spring is cleansing and nature provides the super nutrients that can support the body to let go of winter viruses. You will learn, in particular, how to work with dandelion, nettle, cleavers, and wild garlic, as well as other plants. Find out what medicines these plants provide and the best way to use them in specific combinations and preparations.
Summer Medicine - Preserving the vibrancy of summer and connecting to the healing in the land. We will be doing a herb walk and harvesting as well as making hot infused oils, salves, lotions and glycerites. If we have enough time, we might do infused vinegars and learn how to dry herbs for use as teas.
Autumn Medicine - Working with seeds and berries and late summer flowers. We can also work with seeds such a nettle seeds and hogweed seeds. We can make things like Elderberry Rob, oxymels with honey and vinegar.If there is time, we could make hedgerow elixirs and tinctures.
Winter Medicine - This time of year we have roots, rosehips and sloes. It's a good time to prepare for winter with cough syrups, fire cider vinegar, herbal cough glycerites, joint and muscle rubs and chest rubs. Other things we can make are wartime rosehip syrup, and cold rosehip jam. If we have dried herbs from the garden to use in the winter medicines, we can create a continuity between the seasons.
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).
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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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