Yurt camping and woodland craft courses such as green wood working, basketry, hurdle making and bee keeping are all available at a new business enterprise called Forest Garden Shovelstrode, located in the High Weald of Sussex.

The setting is based around 6 acres including an ancient woodland and a vacant paddock that has been recultivated into the early stages of a Forest Garden with a newly created wildlife pond.

Forest Garden Shovelstrode is a place for people to come and learn the principles of Permaculture demonstrated in the Forest Garden and also a range of woodland craft. A shop will sell products such as honey, eggs, green wooding tools and locally produced crafts.

Charles Hooper and Lisa Aitken have worked on a plan since 2009, searching for ways to live more self sufficiently and sustainably from a small area of land. Forest Garden Shovelstrode sets out to inspire others in a similar way.

With the help of a European grant, work began in earnest in September 2010, with renovations made to stables creating a kitchen, farm shop, shower and WC facilities, a new parking area and a new storage barn was erected.

Now with Spring arriving, they plan to welcome visitors for camping from the Easter weekend, Friday 22nd April with courses beginning in June.

2 yurts are available for hire, the first being a traditional Mongolian style with painted wooden poles, the other is a locally produced hand crafted yurt made of coppiced wood. The yurts are both located in the woodland in a peaceful environment. The yurts are both fully equipped with a log burning stove and many creature comforts to create a truly wonderful camping experience. Glamping at its best!

Courses begin in May:-

Sunday 22nd May – Intro to Bee Keeping
Wednesday 1st June – Introduction to Vegetable Gardening
Saturday 11th June – Basket Willow Weaving
Thursday 16th/Friday 17th June – Green woodworking
Friday 15th July – Hurdle making
Sunday 17th July – Children’s Green woodworking
Friday 22nd July – Flintknapping
Saturday 20th August- Beeswax Products

Click here for more information on all courses offered.

Further courses take place right up until October.

To learn more click here to visit the Forest Garden Shovelstrode website.

Still looking for Your Smallholding? Visit Greenshifters for the latest smallholdings for sale, rent and exchange.

Article by Forest Garden Shovelstrode for Rural Smallholdings Magazine

This post was submitted by Forest Garden Shovelstrode.

YOUR GUIDE TO SEASONING AND STORING WOOD

What types of wood are best for burning?

Generally speaking, hardwoods are the best burning woods eg maple, beech, ash and birch, provided they have been well seasoned.

Please refer to our Wood Burning Guide for information on all trees’ burning qualities.

What is green wood?

Green Wood is the term used to describe would which has recently been cut and is still full of sap/water.

Generally green wood burns inefficiently because of its water content, smoldering, producing more smoke, not giving off as much heat as it should and cause more creosote to build up in the chimney.

Seasoning

Seasoning is the term used to describe the method of drying out your wood and reducing its water content so as to have a more efficient, clean, fuel. As its own name implies, you need to store cut wood for a season or more before use. There are things you can do to help progress the seasoning process.

To help the water evaporate more quickly, it is advisable to cut your wood to length. Splitting the wood also exposes more surface area and aids the drying out process.

How can I tell when the wood has seasoned enough to burn?

• The wood will be relatively lightweight due to the water having evaporated.
• Well seasoned wood tends to have darkened ends and you should be able to see splits and cracks.
• When two pieces are banged together they will make a clear ‘clunking’ noise, whereas green wood produces a dull thud sound.

Storing your logs

A three-sided shed is an ideal storage solution, allowing air to circulate around your logs, helping them to dry out. Ventilation is very important. Cut and split your wood and place in a crisscross formation on a raised platform off the ground. Allow to season for at least six months.

Stored wood may start to deteriorate after 4 or 5 years of storage.

Take a look at our Wood Burning Guide.