At Orchard Barn, we believe that weeds aren't just something to be battled — they're messages from the land. And our first practical permaculture-inspired workshop explores just that, through the guiding principle of Observe and Interact.

This isn’t your typical weeding session. It’s a chance to slow down, look closely, and ask deeper questions about what’s growing around us — and what it might be trying to tell us.

What is a weed, really?

In the Orchard Barn garden, weeds arrive by wind, footstep, squirrel... and quite often, by bird. One of our most persistent ‘weeds’ is actually the alpine strawberry – generously sown by feathered friends and thriving throughout the beds.

While many might see this creeping plant as a nuisance, we’ve chosen to interact with it differently. Rather than pulling it up, we grow tall edibles like raspberries and loganberries through the strawberry carpet. In return, the strawberries suppress other, more invasive weeds and offer a soft, edible ground cover. It's a living mulch – one that feeds us too!

Nature’s surprise gardeners

We’ll also observe the spontaneous planting efforts of our local wildlife. Squirrels have tucked away walnut and hazel seedlings in unexpected places. During the workshop, we’ll ask: Are these weeds? Or are they future trees? What happens when we choose to work with what’s already growing, rather than against it?

From weed to tea

Some so-called weeds are simply uninvited herbs. Take lemon balm – beautifully fragrant and often found springing up where you least expect it. During the session, we’ll harvest some and make a simple herb tea, demonstrating a more nourishing interaction with what’s naturally abundant.

Getting practical: removing and reclaiming

Of course, not every plant gets to stay. We’ll explore how to remove perennial nettles, greengage suckers, and spreading blackthorn, focusing on their root structures and how best to reclaim space without turning the soil.

Then we’ll shift to sheet mulching – a no-dig, soil-friendly method of weed control that builds fertility while protecting the earth. You’ll learn how to:

• Use old newspaper, soaked in rainwater, to form a weed barrier

• Top it with shingle-making chippings and sweet chestnut shavings (a beautiful byproduct of our timber work)

• Let nature do the rest

This simple approach not only suppresses weeds but also enriches the soil, retains moisture, and reduces the need for heavy weeding down the line.

Why this workshop matters

This session is about more than just clearing ground — it's about learning to listen to the land. We’ll share knowledge, stories, and cups of herb tea, all while deepening our understanding of how to grow in harmony with nature, not in conflict with it.

Whether you're new to gardening, a permaculture enthusiast, or simply curious about sustainable growing, we invite you to join us for this first in a series of practical, permaculture-inspired workshops at Orchard Barn.

Dates and booking info coming soon – stay tuned!

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#Permaculture #ObserveAndInteract #RegenerativeGardening #OrchardBarn #WeedsAsTeachers #SheetMulching #CommunityWorkshops #NaturalBuilding #SuffolkEvents #HandsOnLearning #GreenWisdom  Blog posted 18th May 2025