Free CAD class giveaway

A bonus newsletter with a free giveaway

Jake Rayson
September 18, 2023

Welcome to this bonus newsletter! I made a CAD for Gardeners online class and thought they’d sell like the proverbial digital hot cakes. Truth is, they haven’t.

The class is actually pretty good — it goes through the basics of setting up the free and amazing QCAD software, then the real basics of creating shapes, entities and how to modify things, with a couple of examples at the end. Honestly, if you’re learning CAD for garden design, this is probably 80% of what you need to know. “Circles for trees” and “Tree spacing ¼-½ avg canopy dia” are the mantras you need to know.

So, I arranged a CAD for Gardeners giveaway of 5 copies to rustle up at least some reviews. And I managed it, hooray! 🥳

To celebrate, I am giving away five more copies for everyone who gets this newsletter but who missed out on the socials. Even if you have no intention of learning CAD, do pass it on to someone who might benefit. Use this link:

store.natureworks.org.uk/l/cad/GrabCADCopy

Forest garden photos

Rose 'Generous Gardener' on a David Hunter rose arch at Rhug gardens. The garden is really starting to take shape now, it has been a couple of years in the making.

I love the smell of the Curry Plant (Helichrysum italicum) on a hot autumn afternoon.

Another Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) on the Daffodil Garlic, again! I really didn’t realise what ornamental plants they are, absolutely thriving in a rich soil in full sun. And edible.

Spotted this Goji Berry in flower on a walk by the coast. I think they really appreciate some shelter and warmth, rather than being forced out on an exposed hillside!

Gorgeous Garden Orb Spider (Araneus diadematus) on the polytunnel.

Tree Mallow (Lavatera maritima) out on the same coastal walk.

Inspirational quote

“For a very long time, the intellectual consensus has been that we can no longer ask Great Questions. Increasingly, it’s looking like we have no other choice”

~ David Graeber

YouTube latest

Update on the Primary school project

Subscribe to my YouTube channel grwd.cc/subscribe-natureworksgarden

Quick links

Cornish seed-scattering event marks fightback against habitat loss
How Buildings Learn by Stewart Brand - this book changed my design life. Buildings change. Gardens change. Everything grows. And here is the TV series.
The Real World of Technology by Ursula Franklin - this book also changed my design life. And here is the audio lecture series.

You may notice that these two books don’t even mention gardens. But I think there are so many lessons in these books that will benefit your garden.

Hire me

The Undergrove garden

If you’re thinking of creating your own wildlife forest garden, do get in touch, even a free half hour consultation can save you lots of time in the long run natureworks.org.uk/portfolio