Cosmic Ecology - A Biodynamic Gardening Course

Dates: 21st February, 21st March, 25th April, 16th May, 13th June, 18th July

Times: 9am-3pm

Location: Michael Hall School, Kidbrooke Park, Forest Row, RH18 5JA

Join award-winning Biodynamic gardener Darshan for an immersive, hands-on journey into Biodynamic horticulture, set within the beautiful Demeter-certified walled garden at Michael Hall Steiner School.

Over six thoughtfully crafted sessions, you'll explore the art and science of Biodynamic gardening, guided through the rhythms of nature and the cosmic forces that shape plant life. Whether you're a beginner, a customer curious about how your food is grown, or a seasoned gardener seeking a deeper spiritual connection with your work, this course offers inspiration, skill, and community.

What You’ll Learn

This course is designed to awaken your thinking (imagination), deepen your feeling (intuition), and invigorate your will (inspiration) key qualities for cultivating a meaningful relationship with the land.

Each session follows the growth of the “cosmic plant” - from seed to fruit, and back to seed again - as both a horticultural and inner journey.

Course structure

The course is taught over 6 sessions, through the sessions we build the cosmic plant from seed, to root, leaf, flower, fruit, and back to seed. I use this plant process is a picture of our own learning process

Day 1: The Germinating Seed
Laying the foundations - soil, compost, and the ground of our work.

Day 2: The Root Creating a garden organism - planning to create harmony.

Day 3: The Leaf and Stem Becoming a plant - form, growth, and the living architecture of nature.

Day 4: The Flower Cosmic ecology - planting in connection with the stars and planets.

Day 5: The Fruit The power of plants - nourishing the garden with herbal preparations

Day 6: The Ripening Seed The spirit of the garden and the spirits in the garden

Outline of a typical day

• Morning Garden Walk
  Explore the garden’s seasonal rhythms. Learn cultivation techniques by observing real crops and hearing the "why" behind what we do.

• Coffee/Tea Break

• Classroom Session Each session includes a creative, practical, meditative, or theoretical activity to support learning from multiple perspectives.

• Lunch Enjoy a nourishing organic and Biodynamic meal prepared by Darshan using fresh garden produce.

• Afternoon Practical Roll up your sleeves and get your hands in the soil with a practical session that brings the day’s themes to life

Ongoing Support

You'll be invited to join a private WhatsApp group for continued learning and support throughout the course. Darshan will be available to answer questions, share seasonal tips, and encourage your practice.

This course is for you if:

You want to learn more about Biodynamic methods and cosmic ecology

You’re looking to improve your gardening skills and knowledge

You’re interested in growing cut flowers, vegetables, and medicinal or culinary herbs

You're a customer curious about how your food is grown

You’d love to meet and learn alongside like-minded people

About Darshan

With over a decade of horticultural experience and a deep reverence for the spiritual dimensions of agriculture, Darshan is an award-winning Biodynamic gardener and educator. He’s been growing food, herbs, and flowers for the Michael Hall School community since 2024.

In his early twenties, a crisis of meaning led Darshan to a profound awakening while tree planting in the Scottish Highlands. This experience set him on a lifelong journey of connecting with the spiritual forces of nature through gardening, education, and community.

Darshan sees the garden as a living artwork, where we engage in a grand cosmic dance that nourishes both body and soul. His joy in tending the land and growing food is contagious, and his teaching weaves together skill, passion, and spiritual insight.

Testimonials from past participants of courses Darshan has run

“Thank you for sharing your passion for growing with us Darshan, what an amazing experience to spend a few days with like-minded people and an inspiring teacher. I have learnt a lot. The lunches were not only healthy and delicious but also very representative of how we can actually cook the things that we can grow ourselves. Thank you!!!”

“I found the course an amazing introduction to biodynamics and I have gained a deeper understanding of cosmic and earthly forces that influence plant growth and development. It has helped me better connect to the spirit of my garden and I feel even more appreciation and gratitude in being able to grow my own food.”

“Darshan teaches this wonderful introduction to the beauty of Biodynamic gardening with kindness that inspires confidence in taking learned practices into our own gardens.”

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