What’s On

Members of the Coventry Beekeepers Association will be on site at Ryton Gardens between 3.00 pm and 4.30 pm on the following dates to speak to visitors about bees

• 20th May
• 17th June
• 22nd July
• 19th August
• 16th September

Master Composters and Gardeners will be on site in the NEW Compost and Soil Fertility Garden between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm on the following weekends to offer visitors help and advice on all things to do with composting

• April 21st & 22nd
• May 19th & 20th
• June 16th & 17th
• July 21st & 22nd
• August 18th & 19th
• September 15th & 16th

5th January 2012

From February 2012, B.E.S.T in Horticulture Ltd ( Bespoke Education & Specialist Training) will be running accredited horticultural qualifications at Ryton Gardens. The new RHS courses in theory and practice, from adult to beginner level 2 to advanced level 3 will be taught on Thursdays and Saturdays

Further information can be obtained by calling 07544 512501 or www.bestinhorticulture.co.uk

Alan Wilson who gave a talk at Potato Day yesterday will be signing copies of his new book “The People’s Potatoes in the Potato Marquee and shop today

10th January 2012

News of our Wassail event this weekend in The Coventry Evening Telegraph

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2012/01/09/wassail-event-planned-at-ryton-gardens-to-bless-apple-orchard-92746-30082861/

9th January 2012

Thursday 2^nd August                10am-1pm

Price £30 (Members) / £36 (Non Members)

*Over the past 50 years, our culinary horizons have expanded massively to take in food from many cultures. However, many of us are unaware that much of this food has successfully been grown on UK allotments for years. This course will provide an introduction to crops such as Calaloo from Jamaica, Dudi from Bangladesh, Methi from India and Chomolia from Zimbabwe. It will include growing tips, advice on preparation and a tour of the exotic garden to see the plants growing in situ.

9th January 2012

Thursday2^nd August                10am-1pm

Price £30 (Members) / £36 (Non Members)

*Over the past 50 years, our culinary horizons have expanded massively to take in food from many cultures. However, many of us are unaware that much of this food has successfully been grown on UK allotments for years. This course will provide an introduction to crops such as Calaloo from Jamaica, Dudi from Bangladesh, Methi from India and Chomolia from Zimbabwe. It will include growing tips, advice on preparation and a tour of the exotic garden to see the plants growing in situ.

9th January 2012

Monday 21^st May            10am-2pm

Price£30 (Members) / £36 (Non Members)

Thursday 10^th May            2pm-5pm

Thursday 16^th Aug            2pm-5pm

Price £30 (Members) / £36 (Non Members)

*Healthy soil is the key to growing healthy plants. Learn how to make compost and leafmould and create a comfry liquid feed in this fascinating afternoon course with Garden Organic’s experts.

Thursday 10^th May            10am-1pm

Thursday 16^th Aug            10am–1pm

Price £30 (Members) / £36 (Non Members)

*Care of the soil should be at the heart of every organic garden.This course is an introduction of soil types, structure, sustainable management, cultivations and water use, leading on to how to assess soil conditions.

Saturday 21^st April            10am-1pm

Saturday 21^st April            2pm-5pm

Price £30 (Members) / £36 (Non Members)

*Learn the process of preparing linen from flax; participate in growing, rippling, breaking, scutching and hackling flax with a chance to sample a spinning wheel.

Part 1            Saturday 17^th March            1.30pm-4.30pm

Part 2            Saturday 31^st March            1.30pm-4.30pm

Part 3            Saturday 14^th April            1.30pm-4.30pm

Price £90 (Members) / £110 (Non Members)

*An introduction to vegetable growing. Learn all about Micro-climates, vegetable families, rotation, seed sowing and Pests  & Diseases

Sunday 4^th March            1pm-4.45pm

Sunday 21^st October   1pm-4.45pm

Price £30 (Members) / £36 (Non Members)

* Learn how to bake beautiful bread. This course will equip you with the technique for making soft dough and give you the confidence to experiment at home. All aspects of bread making are covered, from understanding ingredients and how to use and maintain the equipment, to proving and baking the dough. Bring a large sandwich box for your bread.

4th January 2012

Work is well under way on the planning of this years Potato Day on the 28th and 29th of January

Activities already confirmed include;

• over 100 varieties of potatoes available for people to buy, either individually or
• a potato advisory desk
• children’s activities
• talks and demonstrations by Alan Romans, Alys Fowler, Christopher Trotter & Alan Wilson
• Tours of the garden and
• a potato related menu in the Cafe

More details will be added to the website as they are confirmed

3rd January 2012

A quirky British custom will be kept alive this winter when Garden Organic holds its annual Wassail on Sunday 15 January.

The Wassail, taking place at Ryton Gardens, is a custom that originates in the cider-making regions of South West England and is celebrated close to old Twelfth Night. As well as songs and dances the custom involves blessing apple trees to encourage a bumper apple harvest for the coming year.

From the Anglo-Saxon phrase ‘wes hal’, meaning good health, the Wassail casts aside the winter to make way for spring. To celebrate this vibrant, centuries old custom, visitors are invited to kick up their heels and join in the fun for free from 11.00am to 1.00 pm.

The apple tree will be blessed from around 11.30am

28th November 2011

Parents and carers stuck for how to entertain the children during this Wednesday’s day of strikes are being urged to head outdoors to Ryton Gardens, near Coventry.

A strike-free destination, Ryton Gardens is open all day from 9am – 5pm on Wednesday 30 November and what’s more entry is free for everyone! Mark Wilkinson, Visitor Manager at Ryton Gardens said;

“What better excuse to get outside and spend some time with the kids during the run up to Christmas away from the computer or TV! Children can enjoy an Autumn trail, giant games and exploring the ten acres of organic gardens, and all for free. The ideal place to let off steam there’s also the chance for all the family to have lunch in the organic restaurant or do a spot of Christmas shopping.”

Ryton Gardens is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, entry is free until Friday 27 January 2012. For more information visit www.rytongardens.co.uk or call 024 76303517

7th November 2011

Planning is well under way for Potato Weekend

Saturday 28th – Garden Organic Member’s day

Sunday 29th – Public Day

More details of the activities for the weekend will appear on the website soon

The perfect event to kick-start the growing year! Come along, grab a seed tray, get your ideal sowing mix of compost and then choose from a variety of veggies to sow, grow and eat at home. A great event for children and beginners.

Members get in free
Times TBC

A quirky British custom will be kept alive this winter when Garden Organic holds its annual Wassail on Sunday 15 January 2012.

The Wassail, taking place at Ryton Gardens, is a custom that originates in the cider-making regions of South West England and is celebrated close to old Twelfth Night. As well as songs and dances the custom involves blessing apple trees to encourage a bumper apple harvest for the coming year.

From the Anglo-Saxon phrase ‘wes hal’, meaning good health, the Wassail casts aside the winter to make way for spring. To celebrate this vibrant, centuries old custom, visitors are invited to kick up their heels and join in the fun for free from 11.00am to 1.00 pm.

The apple tree will be blessed from around 11.30am