learn and create

Our workshops are a view of each season with an observation of medicinal plants using your senses. Each workshop starts with a garden walk to explore the variety of plants growing at Phytofarm and a sensory and visual sensation in the drying room. They contain discussions to excite your mind, tastes to stimulate your palate with a variety of edible plants from the garden and the Phytofarm pantry. Homemade crackers, medicinal hummus, nut cheeses, meadow plant pestos, fermented condiments, local goat cheese, plant-based chutneys, mini muffins, inulin rich beverage and seasonal tisanes. Food provided at the workshops will accommodate any special dietary requirements – vegan, vegetarian or gluten intolerant.

The workshops will inspire you to create your own medicinal plant garden, – on a farm, in a suburban garden or a courtyard garden using containers or vertical displays. Discover how to engage with plants to keep you well as we move around the sun. These workshops are a holistic view of “prevention is better than cure” and an observation of accessible local plants, the ones that very likely grow around you, but you just have not introduced yourself.

the workshops

 

AUTUMN WORKSHOP: LEARN

In autumn, the workshop will focus on the value of roots and how berries provide valuable medicine.

Workshop Programme: Learn

  • Autumn garden walk: the plants grown for the healing properties in their roots are dying back, and the garden view changes from the aerial perspective to the examination of roots and berries in the trees.
  • Drying room experience and blending a decoction from roots and berries.
  • We will have a discussion on the importance of gut flora as a key to our immune system function.
  • Make and take home products with recipes:
    Blend a tisane
    A medicinal vinegar
    An oxymel
    A nutritional syrup

You will also receive workshop notes with plant profiles and the recipes of the products you make. 

Dates (10am – 2pm):

  • Tuesday, 7 May 2024

BOOK HERE

 

PHYTOFARM WORKSHOPS  – Time for a change of approach 

The Phytofarm workshop programme has been offered since 2004 as an introduction to medicinal plants – the “how to” and “what plants” for each season. 

While still holding the importance of seasonal living, the coming Phytofarm workshops will have a more specific approach. 

First up in May: A DISTILLATION CLASS WITH HYDROSOLS

A Hydrosol is a herbal distillate that contains both micro-droplets of a plant’s essential oils and its water-soluble components. This watery substance is fragrant and usually (but not always) clear. Witch hazel, rosewater and lavender water; used to treat skin conditions, are the most commonly known Hydrosols. 

Sunday, 26 May 2024 (10am – 2pm)

Includes: 

  • From the Phytofarm kitchen- a tasty lunch 
  • A take home 100ml of a Hydrosol preparation
  • A take home Product made from a Hydrosol

Topics presented: 

  • Types of stills – copper versus stainless steel
  • An essential oil versus a Hydrosol
  • A list of plants used for Hydrosols

BOOK HERE

 

Workshops that are booked can be cancelled three days prior to receive a full refund. After this time no refunds will be given but an alternative date can be booked for a 50% discount.

Other times for workshops and garden tours can be negotiated. Please contact Valmai to discuss. Group Specials: Please contact us to discuss any special requests or topics of interest. If you live outside the Canterbury area workshop days can be blocked together to limit travel costs.

Decorating cocktail glass
Infusing a tisane tea