Kerry Earth Education Project (KEEP) hosted a 2-day Introduction to Permaculture and Forest gardening course which I led for 18 participants last weekend.
The course was wonderfully hosted by Niamh and Ian and Cathy of KEEP at their centre at the Gortback Organic Farm, near Tralee, Co. Kerry.
On the course we looked at Permaculture design Principles; the theory of natural succession; forest garden design and plants; and mulched and planted the start of a forest garden.
Gortbrack Farm is a 10-acre smallholding established in 1991, and the dedicated team have been promoting and teaching organic gardening, school gardens, teacher training and biodiversity programmes since then.
They have recently put up some very pleasant timber “eco-cabins” complete with solar water heaters and wood burning stoves which are available to rent for holidays and courses, where I was very comfortably ensconced for the two nights of the course.
KEEP have also just produced a wonderful 50-page booklet on The Year Round Organic School Garden written by Lucy Bell, Niamh Ni Dhuill and Aine Ni Fhlatharra, complete with garden designs, steps to setting up a garden, monthly garden projects and many more resources.
This is an essential resource for teachers, parents and anyone interested in seeing a school garden be established in their school. Contact KEEP for details.
Thanks for everyone’s support and participation on the weekend and good luck to you all with future permaculture and forest gardening adventures.
