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This series of one day courses, from February to November 2025, is designed to teach participants how to grow your own organic produce. The course will be delivered by Klaus Laitenberger, soil expert and renowned educator. Klaus is author of four gardening books: ‘The Self-Sufficient Garden’, ‘Vegetables for the Irish Garden’, ‘Fruit and Vegetables for the Polytunnel and Greenhouse’ and ‘A Vegetable Grower’s Handbook’.This course, structured across the 4 seasons,mis for those who wish to learn the skills to start and maintain an organic food garden.
Home, community and commercial growers will benefit from Klaus’ decades of organic food growing experience. We will learn by doing across the 100 acre organic farm, gardens, polytunnels and glasshouses.
Series Dates 2025
Thursday Feb 13, Thursday March 6, April 10 (Thurs), May 8 (Thurs), June 3 (Tues), July 10 (Thurs), August 14 (Thurs), Sept 4 (Thurs), October 9 (Thurs), November 6 (Thurs)
What You’ll Learn:
Introduction to soils and the importance of rich fertile soil
Practical ground preparation – no –dig, digging, lazy beds, Huegelbed etc
Soil improvement – composting/green manuring/other inputs
Practical seed sowing and other propagation methods (cuttings, division, layering etc)
Theory – what is an open pollinated variety and a F1 hybrid?
Pruning of top and soft fruit throughout the season
Crop planning and rotation – how much to grow and making a sowing plan Individual crop requirements
Growing in Polytunnels and Greenhouses
Organic W**d control – W**d identification, hoeing, mulching, flame weeding, hand weeding, stale seedbed technique
Organic pest and disease prevention – throughout the seasons we will identify common pests and diseases and share tips and techniques to prevent them
Plant care – training, pruning, side-shooting etc for a range of crops
Harvesting and storing vegetables
Course Elements:
Indoor and Outdoor Classroom Learning
Practical project work across the organic farm, gardens and glasshouse
Q&A sessions throughout the days as we review each session and put theory into practice
Good to Know:
The course is held at Ballymaloe Cookery School’s Organic Farm and Gardens in Shanagarry, Co. Cork P25 R274
Tea, Coffee and sourdough fresh form the Breadshed with jersey butter and homemade jam will be served from 8.45am.
Please arrive early to register and get ready for a busy morning of hands on learning
As we’ll spend time walking and learning around the farm please bring suitable clothing and footwear - and allow for changeable weather!
Lunch included
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Ballymaloe Cookery School, P25 R274, 44 Main Street, Midleton, County Cork, P25 N152, Ireland,Midleton, Cork
Tickets
