GROW YOUR OWN IN A YEAR, 2014
This course covers the practicalities of organic horticulture in both theory and practice.
-
Location - Coed Hills Rural Art Space, Vale of Glamorgan
-
On this course you will be guided through a comprehensive step by step, month by month, growing plan, at the end of which you will have a solid grasp of the principles and experience of how to grow your own fruit and vegetables.
This course offers a unique chance to learn many subjects grouped into one whole year of learning, offering an experience equivalent to an apprenticeship in organic food growing, at a very affordable price. It is pitched for beginner growers and those with limited experience.
-
Here is an overview of the main different subjects covered in each months session.
MARCH 22nd
Soil fertility - and overview of the different forms of fertility and how to use them in the garden
Planning your growing space - rotation systems and zoning
planting perennials - herbs and fruit trees
Pruning - all perennials, except stone fruits.
Building raised beds - why raised beds can help - what to use and how.
APRIL 19th
Soil preparation - an overview of growing media for seeds, seedlings, transplants, cuttings, and established perennials.
Indoor and outdoor growing - overview of the best crops for indoor and outdoor growing in temperate climates
sowing annual seeds - techniques of sowing seeds, spacing, soil sculpture.
Pruning - Stone fruits - plums, damsons, cherries, gages,
Wild Food - How perennials help fill the hungry gap
MAY 31st
Soil preparation - an overview of growing media for seeds, seedlings, transplants, cuttings, and established perennials.
Sowing annual seeds - techniques of sowing seeds, spacing, soil sculpture.
Indoor and outdoor growing - overview of the best crops for indoor and outdoor growing in temperate climates
Wild Food - How perennials help fill the hungry gap
JUNE 21st
Cropping - Harvesting techniques and early crops
Winter Sowings - overview of what you can sow for winter crops
Edible Flowers - overview of what flowers you can eat
Direct sowings vs Transplants - the value of direct sowings
Weed Management - best techniques for dealing with weeds, and potential use of weeds
JULY 26th
Mulching - what to mulch with, the value of mulching, and how.
Cultivation - overview of crop care throughout the growing season.
Pests and diseases - Overview of the key pests and diseases of annuals
Preservation of soft fruits - jam and chutney making
AUGUST 30th
Preservation - finding the most efficient ways to process and store what you grow
Sowing Winter salads - preparation and practical
Green Manures - value of, and use, both edible and non-edible
Seed saving and storing - Overview of the whole process of saving your own seeds
SEPTEMBER 27th
Seed saving and storing - Overview of the whole process of saving your own seeds
Sowing Winter salads - preparation and practical
Layering perennials - getting perennials to layer
Things to sow in september - growing for season extension.
Perennial herb propagation - later summer/early autumn cuttings
OCTOBER 25th
Compost - full overview of the composting method, covering: leaf mould, dealing with all forms of garden waste, manure, and much more…
Building Compost heaps - why compost - Stacking - what to use and how -
Bringing in the harvest - Best way to store your main crops and harvests
NOVEMBER 22nd
Propagation of perennials - taking cuttings
Sowing overwintering crops - Beans and peas, garlic, etc
Feeding the soil for next year - how to prepare the ground in advance.
DECEMBER 20th
Calendars - planning and preparing for the next growing year, learning how to use growing calendars/biodynamic understandings.
Consolidation - working on infrastructure of growing space to make the space more efficient
Tool care - looking at tools and how to look after them, mend them etc.
Cooking what you grow - a look into nutrition and the best ways to make the most out of what you grow…
--
About the Tutor-
Stephen has had many years of experience in growing his own food and has been teaching food culture courses for the past few years. He has a wide knowledge of the subject and teaches in a friendly and informative style.
Here’s what past people have said about his past courses -
“I'm so thankful I stumbled upon the course - very glad to have met you, and the good/interesting group of people we had.
Your enthusiasm for your path and the subject etc is a great joy to behold... it has been truly wonderful meeting you and hearing your ideas and wisdom. My mind is buzzing with ideas both new and old - and just as importantly, I have a new confidence in them/myself”. - Karen
“Charismatic, intuitive & passionate facilitation!” - Debbie
“Thank you for creating and running such a wonderful workshop. I was very impressed by the organisation and planning and how you kept so well to the programme… The foraging for wild herbs and salad leaves has particularly encouraged me to look beyond growing all these crops and see what things I can easily collect from the wild” - Paul
POSTER -
