Can’t make March? This day also runs on Saturday 22 May, as part of our Permaculture Immersion Week.
About the Day
This one-day workshop is a practical and inspiring introduction to designing and beginning a forest garden, held in Goat Grid’s six-year-old food forest at the foot of the South Downs near Lewes. Sometimes described as an edible woodland edge or food forest, a forest garden is a perennial food-growing system that mimics the structure and functions of a natural woodland, while producing food, medicine and habitat.
The day combines short talks, guided design activities and hands-on practicals, so you leave with both the understanding and the confidence to start your own project. We’ll draw on examples of existing forest gardens, and share resources to help you keep learning after the day.
What You’ll Learn
- How to assess a site and read the landscape
- The layers of a forest garden, and how they interact
- Setting your objectives for food, biodiversity and wellbeing
- Choosing and combining plants into supportive guilds
- Soil care, mulching and water, for long-term resilience
- Planting, early maintenance and planning for growth
- Time in the Goat Grid food forest, seeing an established forest garden in practice
- Sketching a first design, and the first steps for your own space
Why Forest Gardens Matter
Forest gardens are about much more than planting trees. They’re long-term systems that can provide food, ecological resilience and beauty for years to come. They support biodiversity, lock up carbon and offer a way of growing that works with nature rather than against it. They’re also increasingly recognised for their wellbeing benefits, as places for reflection, relaxation and nature connection.
Designing a forest garden invites you to look at your space differently, and to think in patterns and relationships. Even a small plot can become a resilient and abundant landscape when it’s designed with care.
What You’ll Leave With
- A clear framework for forest garden design
- A first design for your own space
- Hands-on experience of planning for succession
- Inspiration from an established forest garden
- Resources to guide your next steps
- The confidence to start, or expand, your own forest garden
Who Is This For?
This day is ideal for:
- Home gardeners who want to create edible landscapes
- Community groups and project leaders designing shared spaces
- Smallholders and landowners interested in low-input, high-yield systems
- Anyone curious about perennial food growing and ecological design
No previous experience is needed. The day suits beginners, and anyone with some food growing or permaculture knowledge who wants to go deeper into forest garden design.
Please do feel free to book a discovery call and talk to us further if this is of interest.
The Cost
Supported £65 · Standard £90 · Pay it forward £115
Payment is in full when you book. Supported places are limited, so if you need one, we’d encourage you to book early. Find out how our pricing works on our Fair Share page.
Accessibility & inclusion
Goat Grid is a working food forest with uneven ground, and it would be difficult to access for wheelchair users. If you have access needs or questions, please get in touch before booking and we’ll talk through what’s possible.
Led by
Members of our teaching team. We’ll confirm who’s teaching nearer the time.
Book Your Place
Book your place online. If you have any questions, email marianne@awildlife.org.uk or message us on WhatsApp.
Want to go further? The May date is part of our seven-day Permaculture Immersion Week at Goat Grid, 18–24 May 2027.
