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- This is our standard programme. If you have any specific interests then we will try and accommodate them.
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- Please also download the workbook so you can keep track of your progress.
Introduction to market gardening
- Health and Safety
- Farm introduction
- Permaculture basics
- Importance of water, soil, shelter, land aspect, sun, and wind.
- Soil structure and makeup (soil test)
- Basic plant biology
Supplementary reading
- http://www.growbiointensive.org/PDF/FarmersHandbook.pdf
- The Sustainable Vegetable Garden, by John Jeavons and Carol Cox, 1999
- Elaine Ingham’s food web and Grow biointensive youtube playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPeAvYrfKkU&list=PLGnAjqjkLW24yyNdUoi014AmPqNmtMB9u
Bed Preparation
- Turning pasture into beds
- Double digging
- Broad forking
- Use of mechanical cultivator
- Watering
- Use of tarps
- No-till methods
Supplementary reading
- Tractors, hoes, rakes, seeders, tilthers, and more
- Rapid Mondo and accessories, Planet Junior with different attachments, Jang and Earthway seeders
- Flame weeding….
- Inventory of the tools available for the modern market gardener as mentioned by Elliot Coleman, JM Fortier, and others
- Notes from Charles Dowding no-till method https://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/no-dig-growing/why-no-dig/
Composting
- Chipping
- Making compost 12-2-1 ratio
- Monitoring temperature
- Organic standard
- Making compost tea
- Biodynamic preparations
Supplementary reading
Notes from:
- the relevant chapters in How to Grow More Vegetables (HTGMV)
- Attending a Compost Collective workshop
Seeds and planting
- Making seed boxes
- Sowing seeds
- Stale seed bed techniques
- Transplanting various crops to show different spacings
- Pricking out and potting on
- Exploring optimum spacings
- Staking and support
- Watering
- Making own seed raising mix and potting mix
Supplementary reading
Notes from HTGMV section on plant spacings and how these differ from conventional spacings e.g. as mentioned on seed packets.
Increasing soil fertility
- Making and using biochar
- Foliar sprays
- Weed management
- Mulching
Supplementary reading
Notes from:
- https://modernfarmer.com/2016/03/carbon-farming/
- No-till, no dig - Charles Dowding
Biochar production https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJOOg89JH30
Crop planning
- Koanga crop classification
- Crop rotation
- Crop planning using Excel
- Companion planting
Supplementary reading
Notes from
- Koanga chart
- Permakai crop planning spreadsheet resources
- Online resources e.g. http://www.gardenate.com
- https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/4012/
- HTGMV: Companion Planting and Rotations
Planting by the moon calendar
- Introduction to the bio dynamic calendar
Supplementary reading
Notes from
- http://oregonbd.org/on-line-class/
- Bio dynamic farming and gardening calendar
Seed Saving
- Harvest seeds
- Making and using seed sieves
- Winnowing
- Storage
Supplementary reading
Notes from
Perennials
- Food forest design basics
Supplementary reading
Notes from
- Martin Crawford videos on food forest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_fhAch5qiY&list=PL39F5099E11FF7B5C
- U-pick orchard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3riW_yiCN5E
Using animals
- Basic cow management
- Fencing essentials
- Care and use of chickens
- Other animals: ducks, pigs, sheep, and horses
Supplementary reading
Notes from
- Regenerative handbook
- https://modernfarmer.com/2016/03/carbon-farming/
- Chickens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYWzytyNw4s
Business
- Business planning
- Revenue streams
- Markets
- Direct selling
- Legal bits
Supplementary reading
Notes from
- Regenerative handbook
- https://modernfarmer.com/2016/03/carbon-farming/
- Chickens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYWzytyNw4s
Wrap up
Revision and filling in the gaps
Supplementary reading
Final report on learning - a brief report on each of the topics.
