Food Tree Academy Workshops
Powered by the knowledge and expertise we've been building up while developing the Orchard of Flavours edible botanical garden, we have prepared a variety of learning experiences for all the Fruit Tree growing enthusiasts that might be interested in adding more Agroecology-based skills to their gardening and orcharding toolbox 🌳🔧
A Food Tree Academy class in session, amongst the Avocados, Pomegranates and Bananas
Miguel COTTON assembling irrigation system during an Irrigation & Water Saving workshop
The Food Tree Academy tent is always ready to welcome new students
Guided tour of the Orchard with the founder, Miguel COTTON
Workshop participants following the class with the help of the provided manuals
The Food Tree Academy tent, under one of our old Carob trees
Several Cocoon Food Forests growing around one of the Orchard's old Carob trees
Miguel COTTON and Milan NEPALI reviewing the different parts that make up the garden's irrigation systems
Workshop participants planting a young coffee plant
Observing leaves of different food trees in the Orchard, identifying pests and diseases
Miguel COTTON addressing the class during a workshop, in the Food Tree Academy tent
The founder explaining a few concepts, during a tour of the Orchard
A small show of the plants propagated at the Orchard
Dror AVITAL demonstrating air layering during a Food Tree Propagation Workshop
Miguel COTTON leading a tour of the Orchard during a workshop
Milan NEPALI working on the implementation of a Cocoon Food Forest
Dror AVITAL explaining the inner workings of "the Brain", from where we manage the botanical garden's irrigation systems
A few fruits from the Orchard
Miguel COTTON showing how to manage a growing Cocoon Food Forest by pruning a moringa
Miguel COTTON leading a guided tour of the Orchard during a Workshop
Shared lunch is served! Always a great time for relaxing and getting to know like-minded folks
Group photo with one of our classes
Our Workshops — Next dates
One-Week Course: Food Forests in Mediterranean Climates (5 days)
October 4th - 8th 2025 — Saturday to Wednesday (Fully booked)
The Cocoon Food Forest Approach — Foundation Course
October 4th 2025 — Saturday (Fully booked)
Irrigation & Water Saving / Harvesting in Mediterranean Climates
October 5th 2025 — Sunday (Fully booked)
Food Tree Care: Pruning and Fertilizing in Mediterranean Climates
October 6th 2025 — Monday (Fully booked)
Food Tree Propagation in Mediterranean Climates
October 7th 2025 — Tuesday
Food Tree Pests & Diseases in Mediterranean Climates
October 8th 2025 — Wednesday
Want to make a real impact? Join us for the most hands-on, no-nonsense workshop on perennial edible plants in Europe. This isn’t your typical feel-good course—we’re all about practical skills that transform your garden into a thriving Food Forest.
Everything we teach is rooted in real-world experience, and you’ll see it all in action at our Botanical Garden. This is the only course where you learn and instantly verify if it works. You’ll come away with solid, actionable knowledge you can put to work right away.
📅 Next dates: Saturday to Wednesday, October 4th — 8th 2025 (Fully booked)
Learn more by visiting this course’s webpage, or keep scrolling to book your spot.
The Cocoon Food Forest is a powerful solution to help your food trees thrive!
Concentrate on one target fruit tree at a time, providing optimal conditions for rapid and healthy growth. Once successful, move on to your next Cocoon Food Forest. Soon, you'll cultivate a large, beautiful, resilient, and productive Food Forest.
The Cocoon Food Forest has been successfully implemented in our botanical garden, and we are excited to share this innovative design with you. Transform your garden into a thriving oasis with our proven approach!
đź“… Next dates: Saturday, October 4th 2025 (Fully booked)
Learn more by visiting this workshop’s webpage, or keep scrolling to book your spot.
Water is the lifeblood of any garden, especially in the warm, dry climates of the Mediterranean.
Our latest workshop is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to optimize water use in your garden. Whether you're creating a thriving food forest, maintaining a productive orchard, or simply want to learn sustainable watering practices, this workshop will teach you everything from the basics of plant physiology to advanced irrigation techniques.
đź“… Next dates: Sunday, October 5th 2025 (Fully booked)
Learn more by visiting this workshop’s webpage, or keep scrolling to book your spot.
We invite you to delve into the art and science of food tree maintenance, guided by Dror AVITAL, an experienced plant biologist, and the Orchard’s Scientific Advisor. Immerse yourself in hands-on learning with on-site exercises featuring common fruit trees of the Algarve as well as a few subtropical fruit trees that can easily grow here.
Let’s dive deep into two main subjects in growing healthy food trees: Pruning and Fertilizing.
đź“… Next dates: Monday, October 6th 2025 (Fully booked)
Learn more by visiting this workshop’s webpage, or keep scrolling to book your spot.
The founder of the Orchard of Flavours edible botanical garden as well as a propagation specialist will tell you all their secrets about plant propagation.
It is easier than you think. Have fun, learn and save money. Also, the botanical garden offers you the unique opportunity to take cuttings and come back home with rare species or varieties that you can propagate. For instance, its collection of 15 pomegranates and many rare trees that are difficult to find in any nursery.
đź“… Next dates: Tuesday, October 7th 2025
Learn more by visiting this workshop’s webpage, or keep scrolling to book your spot.
Are pests and diseases affecting your food trees? Our specialized workshop will help you create a healthy, pest-resistant garden in Mediterranean climates. Learn to spot and manage common pests, identify and treat plant diseases, and improve soil health for stronger plants.
Don’t let your harvest be ruined—gain the practical skills to protect and care for your Food Forest!
đź“… Next dates: Wednesday, October 8th 2025
Learn more by visiting this workshop’s webpage, or book your spot right below.
If you are an Orchard of Flavours member, please use this code to access the discounted price for our workshops: FRUITLOVER20
If you aren't a member yet, learn all about our Membership Program, and join us!
Miguel COTTON, Orchard of Flavours founder and workshop instructor
Milan NEPALI, Orchard of Flavours’ garden steward and workshop instructor
Dror AVITAL, Orchard of Flavours’ scientific advisor and workshop instructor
Some of the highlights of one of our “Food Forest & Island of Fertility” workshops, at Orchard of Flavours Botanical Garden, in Tavira.
A few comments from previous workshop participants:
“Many thanks again for a very informative and inspiring workshop. I thought your delivery of information - both on paper and in person - was both very professional and comprehensive. On a personal level, I appreciated the generosity, openness and kindness that you both brought to the workshop generally, and to us as individual novice gardeners.” — Bryony, UK
“It was very interesting to get to know the "Orchard of Flavours" project, both the theoretical aspects and the practical! It is an especially interesting initiative to the region of Algarve (even if limited to areas where irrigation water is provided to farmers). The workshop gave me a good vision.” — Guida, Portugal
“Andrew and I very much enjoyed our day. We are both total beginners and so there was a lot to try and take in so printed material is extremely useful for us to keep as reference. We would definitely recommend the workshop to others.” — Chris and Andrew, UK
“I really enjoyed the workshop. I feel like I learned a lot and that I now have a structured way to approach the planting of my fruit trees. I have a better understanding of how to care for them and what issues to look out for. I'm also happy to have met a number of other people that are all interested in fruit gardens, it is nice to feel part of a community.” — Emily, Australia
If you have any further questions, please feel free to write us an email! miguel@orchardofflavours.com