The Project in France

      Sunshine at last!

The sun has shone and the fruit has ripened.    Our first courses in France have been very successful and those from cooler climes have enjoyed both the swimming pool and wonderful meals outdoors under the stars.     As usual the work and study sessions have been a great opportunity to put the world to rights and learn new skills.    

There is already a small established vegetable garden, or potager, and the old buildings have certainly seen their share of pigs and chickens over the years in this part of rural france. The challenge is to extend the cultivated area, building fences, walls and paths as well as creating suitable enclosures for chickens and pigs.

Accommodation for students is provided in a well equipped gite adjacent to the site which also has a swimming pool for those who wish to escape from the heat.

We will be covering all the topics which have become part of our regular courses and it will be a great opportunity to explore french local markets and crops.

Courses in France 2010

We are creating a new organic smallholding from woods and grassland at a site about 40 mins inland from Bordeaux.    We have already on the first course created 4 deep beds and the challenge now is to keep them watered in the heat of the blazing midday sun!

Students pleased with their sausages!

Courses  include both practical and “class room” sessions.   We will cover:-
Basics        

Making bread
Making sausages
Brewing beer and wine
Making Baskets
Making jams and jellies
       
Planning your smallholding/garden

Creating a clean seedbed from weeds and grass

Laying paths, blocks and cement

Building composting areas, making compost and use of compost in the garden

Pig and chicken husbandry

Management and improvement of soil

Scything, Haymaking and Grassland management

Tree planting and management for fruit, nuts and firewood

Growing soft fruits, pruning and manuring

Control of weeds and pests

Cutting and storing firewood, including the chainsaw, its use and maintenance

Harvesting and storing food from the garden, drying, picking, and freezing

Hedging

Use of the rotavator for controlling weeds and improving soil structure

Use of the greenhouse and transplanting

Tools for the garden

Knots and ropework