Saturday 29 November 2025
This one-day course runs from 9.30am to 4.00pm in Stanmer Park, Brighton.
Learn the basics of fruit tree selection and planting techniques for gardens and small orchards. This course is designed to complement the Care of fruit trees course.
What will the Planning and planting a small orchard course cover?
The course will cover the basics of how to design a fruit garden or small orchard: soil types, shade, spacing, rootstocks, pollination groups, apple and pear varieties, etc. We will mainly discuss growing fruit trees in gardens and more conventional orchard settings. We only touch on growing fruit trees in smaller spaces against which is covered in more depth on our Growing fruit in small spaces course. Companion planting as well as how fruit trees can be integrated into forest gardens will be discussed. We will plant some fruit trees together using techniques and materials which will ensure the best possible start for your trees in a variety of conditions. We will also discuss how children and community members can be involved.
Who is the course for?
The course is open to anyone over the age of 16, and no prior knowledge is necessary. It is relevant to anyone planning on planting a few fruit trees in a garden or a small orchard. It is particularly suitable for those interested in engaging children, young people and other community group members in planting fruit trees, perhaps as part of a broader approach to encouraging sustainable food production and healthy eating.
The practical element of the course involves some digging and moderately heavy work, but participants are welcome to join in or not as they see fit. Do dress appropriately, however, as we will not be deterred by poor weather conditions!
Brighton Permaculture Trust aims to meet the needs of participants with physical disabilities and learning difficulties. If you have any issues which you feel may affect your ability to attend or participate in this course, please contact us to discuss them prior to booking.
Learning methods and outcomes
These will include presentations with Q&A, a practical planting session, and also a guided walk looking at newly planted trees, fence trained trees, established orchards and our apple nursery. By the end of the course, you should have grasped the essentials of how to plan a small orchard for your particular circumstances and feel confident to plant fruit trees.
Course tutors
Stephan Gehrels, has been teaching for many years and is passionate about permaculture. Stephan runs school environmental projects in Brighton and has experience of managing orchards.
Becca Mann will be assisting Stephan and has many years of experience as a grower and working with fruit trees. Becca has designed gardens, run a market garden, consulted on community projects, run courses on fruit tree renovation and organises permablitz events, bringing people together to grow, learn, share food and build community.
Venue/Accommodation
Meeting point: The Fruit Factory
Stanmer Park (near University of Sussex)
Brighton
Sussex
South East England
Get directions to Stanmer Park.
If you intend to book accommodation, please check availability before booking a place, as accommodation in Brighton can be hard to find, especially over the summer months.
Get details on local accommodation and Brighton Permaculture Trust supporters who can provide accommodation in their homes.
Fees
Fees include tuition, refreshments, handouts and information sheets.
- £175 – Sponsored/organisation rate
- £175 – Individual income more than 25k/yr
- £140 – Individual income 18-25k/yr
- £105 – Individual income less than 18k/yr
- £56 – Individual, concessionary rate (check your eligibility)*
* Concessionary places are limited. If places are not available check back two weeks before the course/event as more may be available then.
We endeavour to make our courses and events affordable to all. Unfortunately, we do not receive any external funding for most of these and rely on large amounts of voluntary input.
See the cancellations and refunds policy.
Booking the Planning and planting a small orchard course
Booking is essential. Most of our courses/events are fully booked weeks in advance. However, if places are still available, then bookings can be made until midday the day before the course/event. A place is not secured until we have received the requested payment.
If you have completed the booking process but you haven’t received a confirmation email from us please contact us to check your booking has gone through.
If you are booking within two weeks of the event, or the event is nearly full, you will not have the option to pay by cheque or BACS. Instead, you will need to pay immediately using a credit/debit card or PayPal.
Be certain that you understand ALL the information on this page, then:
What does this course lead on to?
Related courses and events that may be of interest to course participants: