Courses

• Going Organic

  Tuesday 14^th April 2015                   
  1pm – 4pm

  The Going Organic course is designed for anyone who is considering becoming an organic gardener and would like to apply these techniques within their gardens. This is an informal course with plenty of opportunities for questions and discussion.

   

• Essential Composting

  Wednesday 15^th April 2015         
  1pm – 4pm

  Explore the essential building blocks for successful composting; what to compost, where to site your compost and a look at the different composting systems available. This course will give you the confidence and knowledge to either set up your own compost bin at home or make the most of your current composting set up.

   

• Managing Your Soil

  Thursday 16th April 2015                    
  10am – 1pm

  2015 is the year of soil and as one of the most precious resources in your garden, looking after it well is the key to growing successful food crops. This course will explain how to manage different soil types and feed it from sustainable resources. We will show you how growing green manures can benefit future food crops and how to recognise when your plants are suffering deficiencies. The session will contain a mixture of demonstrations and practical activities.

   

• Weaving a Willow Wigwam Course

  Tuesday 12th May
  10am - 1pm

  Learn how to make a variety of different plant supports from willow. Participants will be able to make and take home a wigwam on the day, suitable for sweet peas and other climbing plants. This course is for a beginner/intermediate level.

   

• Spring Pottery Class

  Thursday 14^th May 2015                   
  1pm – 4pm

  This is an adult ceramic workshop, no previous experience necessary.
  Spring is here, so dig your hands into clay, release the seeds of creativity, and cultivate your very own pottery inspired by nature.

  Come and learn the skills of clay work, experiment with techniques, shapes, decoration, and colour, to build your own forms. Guided by Lesley-Ann French, a local Ceramic Artist and Tutor, you will be able to create unique pots and plaques which will be fired so that they can live inside or out.

  The maximum number for the workshop is 10 so everyone will get as much help as they need and there will be the opportunity for chat and plenty of fun! Just bring your interest and enthusiasm……everything else is provided!

  Lesley will fire your clay creations at her studio and they will be ready to be picked up from Ryton Organic Gardens from 7th May.

   

• Wildlife Gardening Course

  Friday 22nd May 2015
  1pm - 4pm

  Amid increasing pressures on the natural landscape, our gardens have become vital to wildlife. 22nd May 2015 is International Biodiversity Day and during the session, we will look at what the gardener can do to create a healthy haven for wildlife. This course is for a beginner/intermediate level.

   

• Wonderful Worms Course

  Thursday 4th June 2015
  10am - 1pm

  Learn more about the wonderful world of worm composting. How do worms create compost? What should you feed your worms? We’ll take a look at different styles of wormery, how to create the optimum conditions for your worms and how to use vermicompost in the garden.

   

• Make Your Own Garden Bench

  Saturday 13th June 2015
  10am - 4pm

  This course will be delivered by the Centre for Alternative Technologies (CAT).

  The course will cover the principles of working wood, joints and carpentry in a rustic style and is tailored to those interested in making rustic furniture from a range of native tree species in the uk. The style of this course is very hands-on, where participants will learn through making their very own garden bench.

   

• Make Your Own Compost Toilet

  Saturday 25th July 2015
  10am - 4pm

  This course will be delivered by the Centre for Alternative Technologies (CAT).

  Not a building course but rather advice on the component parts and the biology of a compost loo system and the kit required to make one.  Students will still need to build effectively a shed around the outside for it to be complete but that’s the more straight forward part of the skills required to make a compost loo.

   

• Build Your Own Family Totem Pole - Family Summer Fun

  Friday 21st August 2015
  10am - 1pm

  This family group workshop will provide you with the opportunity to be creative with clay. No previous experience necessary - all ages welcome! Be inspired by totem poles, create your family characters out of clay and have fun learning the skills of ceramics. You will be able to experiment with colour and decoration to craft your own family creation to live in your garden. This course will be delivered by Lesley-Ann French, a local Ceramic Artist and Tutor. Lesley will fire your clay creations at her studio and they will be ready to be picked up from Ryton Organic Gardens from 11^th September.

  At least one adult is required in each family group.

   

• Introduction to Vegetable Seed Saving

  Wednesday 26th August 2015
  1pm - 4pm

  A course introducing the basic principles and focussing on the easier crops to start out with when saving your own seed.  This course is a mix of theory and plenty of practical hands-on.

   

• Composting - The Alternative Methods

  Friday 4th September 2015
  10am - 1pm

  Explore the alternative methods to traditional composting techniques.  The course will cover a range of systems for composting food waste and other garden waste such as weeds which need hot temperatures.

   

• The Beginners Guide to Renewable Energy

  Wednesday 16th September
  10am – 4pm

  This course will be delivered by the Centre for Alternative Technologies (CAT).

  Details to follow, please keep an eye on the website.

   

• The Next Steps in Vegetable Seed Saving

  Wednesday 30th September 2015
  1pm - 4pm

  A course for those who want to start saving seeds from the more challenging crops. This course will include the theory with plenty of practical hands-on.

   

• Apple Picker Making Course

  16th October 2015

  Details to follow, please keep an eye on the website.

   

• Christmas in Clay for Children

  21st November 2015
  10am - 12noon
  

  Come and have festive fun designing, making and decorating your very own range of Christmas gifts and decorations using clay. Christmas tree decorations, candle holders and table centre pieces are some of the items you will be able to create with the help of local potter Lesley-Ann French. Your very own unique ceramics will be fired in time to be given or enjoyed for Christmas and will last for ever. Surprise yourself, your family and friends by your creativity in clay…no previous experience necessary! Lesley will fire your clay creations at her studio and they will be ready to be picked up from Ryton Organic Gardens on 5th December.

   

• Natural Christmas Decorations Course

  Friday 4th December 2015
  1pm - 4pm

  Details to follow, please keep an eye on the website.

In order to book your place on one of our courses, or for any course-related enquries, please call the customer services team on 024 7630 3517 or email us on:
customerservices@gardenorganic.org.uk