Who are we?
The Teaching Grove brings together the complementary experience of Karen Noon and Jo Holleran -permaculture designers, educators, and practitioners with a long history of creating resilient, nature-based systems across the UK, France, and Europe. Their shared approach combines practical land-based knowledge with thoughtful, systems-led design to make regenerative gardening accessible and achievable.
Through online courses and practical learning resources, Karen and Jo support you to build confidence, deepen your understanding, and develop the skills needed to design and grow productive, climate-resilient gardens and landscapes. The Teaching Grove is rooted in nature, grounded in experience, and dedicated to empowering individuals to become skilled, thoughtful stewards of the land.
What people are saying
You can learn so much about how to improve your garden. You can get a better understanding of how nature works and the importance of the eco system. You can learn so much.
— Mark C. France
The course has provided a really useful framework through which I will view my growing spaces and my interactions with them. It has given me hope and the knowledge that we can make positive changes to spaces around us in our communities.
— Andrea R. UK
Jo and Karen’s course has given me the confidence to make small, meaningful changes in my garden aligned with permaculture values. It opened my eyes to new ways of approaching my outdoor space with greater thought and intention.
— Kellie N. UK
A gentle introduction to creating sensory gardens through a permaculture lens. This free guide explores how to design spaces that engage the senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—while working in harmony with nature. Perfect for anyone wanting to create a more immersive, calming, and regenerative garden.
Learning rooted in real experience
The Teaching Grove brings together decades of practical experience in permaculture, resilient gardening, education, and land-based living.
Our courses are designed to be thoughtful, accessible, and grounded in real-world practice — combining online learning with observation, reflection, and practical application. We believe people learn best when knowledge is shared in a way that is clear, supportive, and connected to everyday life.
Whether you are tending a small garden or exploring bigger changes, our aim is to help you build confidence, deepen your understanding, and take meaningful action in a changing world.
FAQs
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Our courses are designed for anyone interested in permaculture, regenerative gardening, nature-friendly or climate-resilient growing - whether you’re a complete beginner, a home gardener, or someone looking to deepen their design skills. No prior experience is required.
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Not at all. The principles we teach apply to spaces of all sizes - from balconies and courtyards to smallholdings and rural plots. You’ll learn how to observe, design, and work with whatever land you have.
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You’ll have ongoing access to the course for as long as it remains available on our Payhip store. If we ever need to retire or move a course, we’ll give plenty of notice and guidance on how to save any materials you want to keep.
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Yes. You can work through the lessons at your own rhythm, revisit materials whenever you need to, and take breaks without losing progress
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Each course blends clear written guidance, short videos, and practical exercises you can personalise for your own space. Everything is designed to be accessible, structured, and easy to follow, even if you’re completely new to permaculture.
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These Payhip courses are self-guided and do not include direct teacher support. They were originally developed and tested with live cohorts, so the lessons anticipate common questions and guide you step-by-step.
If you’d like to stay informed about Karen’s full catalogue - including future teacher-led and in-person courses - you can join her mailing list.
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No specialist tools are required. A notebook, a way to take photos, and basic garden tools are usually enough. Any additional recommendations will be clearly explained within the course.
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Yes. Many learners use our courses to strengthen their design practice or enhance their gardening and land-based work. Certificates of completion are available on request.
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Courses are created and taught by Karen Noon, with curriculum design and behind-the-scenes support from Jo Holleran. Together, they bring decades of practical permaculture experience to your learning.
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you! Please contact us using this form for any questions or comments.
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