Edible ecosystems have existed for thousands of years, created and managed by indigenous people growing food and other useful plants in forests and grasslands. Much of Sids work is inspired by these ancient practices and how we can bring some of this knowledge into our own gardens and landscapes in a practical way. His passion is to create landscapes and plantings that echo wild plant communities, meadows, woodlands and wetlands, whilst producing food, restoring environments and improving peoples lives.
The day will begin by exploring Sids work and approach in designing, creating and managing edible and biodiverse gardens. He will discuss his research and projects with edible forest gardens and edible meadows, their ethnobotanical history and principles in designed plant communities.
He will explain how you can practically implement these ideas in your own garden or the gardens of your clients, exploring how to prepare the ground for planting and how to create edible meadows and edible forest gardens. He will also discuss mulches, groundcover, layering edible plantings, as well as how these edible and biodiverse gardens influence our health.
This garden lecture is suitable for home gardeners and professionals alike.
Please note, this course will take place in The Old Library, at West Dean College, so please use the College car park. Please arrive between 9.30-9.45am. The course starts at 10am and ends at 3pm. Lunch is included.
What students need to bring
A notebook and pen
Additional information
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Garden Lecture Timetable
Students shuold arrive by 9.30am for registration
Teaching starts - 10am
Teaching finishes - 3pm
Lunch is included