Learn about landscape design, culture design, community organizing, and future building in the second edition of this 5-class short course.* Lessons will draw from what I have learned through installing gardens, orchards, and food forests throughout Philadelphia; starting a 2-acre organic farm in Bucks County; my permaculture design education; holistic horticultural practices, and relevant events in social and environmental justice.
Some topics covered will include: the creativity involved in edible landscape design, an overview of permaculture design and principles, varieties of edible and medicinal perennial plants that grow well in Philadelphia’s climate, land use policy and community organizing, and ways you can get involved in your community, your home, and your own self-care to leave this world a greener, healthier place than you found it.
There will be hands-on and lecture-based attributes to this course, indoor and outdoor portions, and some specific activities will be determined and molded by students.
What you will learn in this workshop series:
An ability to begin designing your own outdoor space using ecological design practices;
Knowledge to approach the earth and human needs using a more holistic lens;
Plant, pest, disease, and beneficial insect identification knowledge, as well as the ability to deter and attract these organisms;
Tools and strategies for community organizing and social event planning for neighborhood work;
An extensive list of resources – material, financial, and social – to utilize to gain future experience and get started on projects;
Required supplies: blank paper/sketchbook, ruler, pen/pencil/eraser, sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, snacks and water (it's during most people's dinner time)
Edenspore is a multifaceted business combining the creative and earth-based passions of Philadelphia’s Robyn Mello. Robyn is in all things a plant, people, and planet advocate. In addition to her solo work with Edenspore, she's Orchard Director of The Philadelphia Orchard Project, Education Coordinator for Beardfest, Mushroom Mistress at Mycopolitan Mushroom Company, and Lead Siren and Songstress in The Radicans. She has designed dozens of community gardens and urban food forests in Philadelphia within many neighborhoods; has experience in non-profit, small business, and farm management; and has several years of sociological and environmental justice research experience at The University of Delaware.
*No one turned away for lack of funds. Discounts available for Bartram's Garden members. E-mail [email protected] for more info.