Harvesting the Seasons:
A Natural Approach to Growing Food in Cities
Do you want to start growing plants and vegetables sustainably but don't know where to begin? Are you growing already but want to improve your yield and deter pests without using chemicals and artificial fertilizers? Would you like to connect with local people who share your interests but can't attend weekday sessions? This course at Calthorpe Community Garden is designed to teach sustainable urban food-growing techniques, soil management, sustainable living and much more. Each session includes theory on food growing, hands-on activities and an introduction to our community food closed-loop system. It includes practices that minimise your impact on the planet and will help you make the most of the food-growing possibilities in every season.
What you will learn
Eco-Friendly Practices: Dive into rainwater harvesting and natural pest management, including a hands-on slug defence tutorial. Explore how to build your soil health with natural resources instead of using chemicals. Learn about the role of pollinators and how to attract them.
A Year-Round Bounty: Gain insights into growing for prosperity, planning your garden's yearly cycle, enjoying a continuous supply of home-grown food using methods like intercropping and learning about winter crops and winter companions.
Food Growing Techniques: Master seed sowing and transplanting including pricking out and potting up. Understand the basics of pruning.
Times
A series of 10 monthly workshops from March 2024 until February 2025 on a Saturday morning with a break in August and December. Each session will last two hours and will include a practical activity in addition to theory.
Dates for the 5 first sessions are confirmed as follows:
Saturdays 23rd March, 20th April, 18th May, 22nd June, 20th July from 10am to 12pm
Dates from September until February will be confirmed in July.
Those who have attended the first 5 sessions will be given priority but will need to confirm if they are able to attend.
If spaces for the next 5 sessions become available we will open up to new participants.
AQA Certificate level 1 on Sustainable Gardening
The certificate is available twice during the course, first in July and then in February after 5 completed sessions if you attended all 5 sessions OR in February after 10 sessions for someone who attended at least 8 sessions through the year.
For more information on AQA certificates please see: https://www.aqa.org.uk/programmes/unit-award-scheme/unit-details?unit=115224
Financial contribution
Low-income or unemployed learners pay a £20 refundable deposit, provided attendance criteria are met. Please fill this registration form to check your eligibility.
For those earning over £20,000 (and who have disposable income) the suggested donation will be a sliding scale per block of 5 sessions as follows:
£25 from £20000 to £25000 annually before tax
£50 from £25000 to £30000 annually before tax
£75 over £30000 annually before tax
If the suggested donation will be a barrier for you accessing the course please let us know. We would really like to make the course accessible.
This course is funded by Camden Climate Fund and delivered in collaboration with MadLeap.
