Do you dream of a garden that provides food, beauty and shade… almost by itself? Then the forest garden is for you!
From Robert Hart, who planted the first modern forest gardens in the UK, to Martin Crawford or Dave Jacke, who wrote landmark books, and to visionaries such as Ernst Götsch in Brazil or Sepp Holzer in Austria, forest gardens have already inspired communities all over the world. In Romania, this tradition comes to life through pioneers like Cristina Colis, permaculture trainer and designer, one of the first people to bring the forest garden concept here. With a wealth of experience and a practical approach, Cristina has become a true reference for those who want to cultivate resilience and abundance on their own land. In this course, you will have the chance to learn directly from her.
Over 4 days, we will explore together the principles and practices needed to create an abundant and resilient ecosystem inspired by the forest. We will learn about plant layers, useful species, design, maintenance, and of course, we will get our hands in the soil.
Program
Dates: October 9–12, 2025
Content
Thursday October 9
Participants are welcome from 14:00 onwards
16:00: Introduction to Ermitaj and guided tour of the site (optional, for those who have already arrived)
For those unable to join the tour or arriving in the evening, the official start will be the following morning.)
Friday 10
Session 1: Introduction to permaculture and forest gardening as a model for sustainable living
Session 2: Understanding forest gardens and their value. Types of forest gardens
Session 3: Key species for forest gardens – woody and herbaceous
Session 4: Implementing forest gardens
Saturday 11
Session 1: Plant associations – guidelines and natural patterns
Session 2: Context analysis as the foundation of design. Overview of the design process
Session 3: Practical design exercise
Session 4: Presentation of designs and feedback
Sunday 12
Session 1: Implementation (hands-on)
Session 2: Implementation (hands-on)
Shared lunch, celebration and feedback session
Typical Daily Schedule
07:15 – 08:30: Breakfast
08:45: Morning circle
09:00: Session 1
10:30: Break
11:00: Session 2
12:30: Lunch
14:30: Session 3
16:00: Break
16:30: Session 4
18:00: End of classes
19:00: Dinner
The schedule and timings are indicative and may be subject to minor adjustments depending on participants’ energy levels and weather conditions.
Fees for the forest garden course
Suggested contributions:
- 500 lei – suggested price for people facing financial difficulties (monthly income under 2500 lei)
- 800 lei – suggested price for people with a monthly income between 3000 and 6000 lei
- 1300 lei – suggested price for people with a monthly income between 6000 and 12000 lei
- 1600 lei – suggested price for people with a monthly income above 12000 lei
The fee includes: course sessions, materials, lunches and snacks.
Accomodation
Rooms at Ermitaj: 2 heated rooms with a total of 8 single beds, plus an unheated attic where mattresses can be arranged. There are also plenty of spaces available for setting up your tent.
In the village: 4 accommodation options with full amenities are available (to be confirmed with the owners). The estimated cost ranges between 50 and 150 lei/night, depending on the number of participants sharing the house and the type of lodging. If you select the “accommodation in the village” option, we will send you the hosts’ contact details.