This course will give you the skills to create and maintain thriving gardens that benefit you, the community and the planet. We will show you how to create a sustainable garden and how to help others in a volunteering or work capacity.
4 residential stays (3 days, 2 nights each stay)
One day at the college every month (non residential)
Visits to local community gardens
Fees
This course could be FREE for you. Take a look at our fees page here
Level
Level 2
Dates
11th -13th September 2026
16th – 18th October 2026
Non-residential gardening days to be confirmed
Method
The work on this course is mostly practical with some worksheets, journaling and a final portfolio of evidence.
A ‘Mother Garden’ is a garden that helps give birth to new gardens through the growing and sharing of plants, seeds, skills and resources. On the course you will learn the principles and practices of the Mother Gardens model, and how they can be applied to different social and environmental issues, as well as core practical skills in plant propagation and regenerative gardening. You will gain skills in the different strands of green community building and community food growing.
As well as 4 residential stays (3 days, 2 nights each stay) you will attend Fircroft College one day every fortnight and you will be part of developing and establishing the college’s own Mother Garden, and wider food growing spaces. This is a reflective course, where you will be encouraged to reflect on your own ideas and role in co-creating a more sustainable world. As such you will also be supported to develop your own green project or garden space – ‘from inspiration to implementation’.
You will learn:
- How to create your own mother garden at home, or in a community space.
- Plant propagation, including fruit tree grafting.
- Community organising and engagement.
- Forest gardening design.
- Using the mother gardens model to support your community.
- The Mother Garden’s core principles and philosophy.
- Basic principles and practices of permaculture design.
- Organic food growing through the seasons.
Social Justice
You will explore the ways in which gardening can be used as a tool for social justice and
community building, and will discuss ways to create inclusive and equitable gardens that
benefit members of society.
Fircroft has an ethos of social justice, a legacy from when the college was started by George
Cadbury Jnr., and is something that we proudly adhere to today.
Climate Justice
You will investigate the impact of gardening on the environment, and will learn how to create
gardens that are not only beautiful, but also sustainable and resilient in the face of climate
change.
Fircroft has a sustainability strategy and climate change is top of the list! We are concerned
about the wide-ranging affects climate change is having on our local community as well as
globally.
Basic Project Management
You will learn the basics of project management, including planning, budgeting, and
implementation, to ensure that our gardening projects are successful and sustainable.
After successfully completing the Mother Garden Bootcamp you will have:
- Gained an understanding of the stages involved in a sustainable gardening process
- Developed initial skills for your own small-scale project development
- Developed skills to support others to start work on small-scale gardening projects.
All learners enrolling on 2026/27 courses will use laptops, tablets and other digital technology as part of their learning
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course, although you must be working at Literacy Level 1 or above
Careers and Progression
As part of your course, you will receive careers support to help you think about your next steps and future goals.
This includes:
- Online access to our Careers and Progression Hub through our website
- A printed and online Careers and Progression Resource Pack, including information and guidance on:
- different job sectors and career pathways
- searching and applying for jobs
- writing a professional CV
- interview preparation and tips
- Invitations to lunchtime careers workshops on Tuesdays or Fridays
- Career focused enrichment sessions every month
- One careers-focused session delivered by our Careers and Progression Coordinator
- Access to careers information and guidance throughout your course
- The opportunity to book a 1-1 with the Careers and Progression Coordinator for extra support or advice around your plans and goals
- A progression day with relevant organisations to help you explore opportunities.
Visit our careers page here.
