Forest gardens are a way of growing food in a low-maintenance, productive polyculture which makes the most efficient use of space and natural processes. Learn all about forest gardens and get a qualification on the way on this exciting new 15 week course! You can gain 16 credits, a nationally recognised level 2 Award in Horticulture and a new unit 'Creating A Forest Garden'. This course is for people who are passionate about plants, especially the edible ones. We cover many things including:

- learning all about over 100 edible plants, including their Latin names!
- learning how to care for, propagate and eat many plants
- the science behind soil, fertility and plant nutrition
- designing and managing a forest garden.
Students will be asked to design a real or imaginary forest garden as part of the course. Starts on Tuesday 4th March 2014 for 15 weeks (not on 8th April, 15th April or 28th May). The last date is Tuesday July 1st. Phone 07733 330 379 for more info (during the day).
This course is subsidised by the Manor House PACT project and is therefore very reasonably priced. Priority for bookings will be given to people living in our target area until February 13th. Those outside the area will be put on a waiting list and told on 13th February if they have a place. Check this map http://www.transitionfinsburypark.org.uk/PACTmap to see if you live in the PACT area.

Payment options:

- £200 / £50 concessions
- 15 day's volunteering at ELL in advance of each session & help tidying up on training days
- 80 Timebank credits and & help tidying up on training days
- 120 North London LETS pledges and & help tidying up on training days

Booking form here

Feedback from some students from the original course which took place in 2013:

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! Such an amazing, enriching experience. This is the kind of course I've been searching for for years and it doesn't exist anywhere else, so it's very exciting and very special! Getting a horticultural qualification may open up new employment opportunities eventually and it was so nice that this was available in my local community and very affordable. The option of paying by volunteering is very helpful financially but also for experience."

"A knowledge about forest gardening – yes! Learning about more edible perennial plants and trees, how to identify them and what to do with them – yes!"

“It has been fantastic! Jo has been a wonderful course leader. I have loved all the places we've visited and being at ELL. It's been great to meet such a lovely group of people. Thank you to the lottery for funding this wonderful opportunity for those lucky enough to do it.”