Grow Your Own

A course on growing food for your home, focusing on vegetables and including fruit and herbs. 

You will see the cycles of nature and experience the rhythms of life.  We will chat about the role of fungi, compost, natural methods of pest and disease control.  We will discuss recipes and health benefits

We have over 20 years’ experience growing vegetables “by hand”, including past organic certification by all three organic bodies: OT, BDAII, IOFGA.  We look forward to sharing our experience and knowledge. You can start as small as a single pot on the window sill (as we did) or see the demands of self-sufficient approach on a smallholding scale (as we are now).

On the last Saturday of every month through the growing season from March to September, we will share our experiences how we go about producing hand made food and explore other aspects of smallholding like machinery, building, tools etc. We’ll be tilling, planting, weeding, watering and harvesting.  The plants include broad bean, french beans, potatoes, various cabbages, onions, carrots, salad crop, gourds (pumpkin, courgette), tomatoes and herbs.

You will be given a planning guide and produce a garden plan for your home.  While on site you will be able to use various tools and get involved in the experiencing the joy of gardening.  Please bring appropriate clothing, including weatherproof clothes, boots and gloves.  You are welcome to bring your own tools to discuss their pros and cons and practice their use.  Tools include spade, shovel, various hoes, fork, rakes, dibber, string, hose, etc.  Power tools include 2-wheel tractor and attachments, pumps and chain-saw.

Keep in touch and learn about all our events at BallinTemple.com

Join us at 11 am on the last Saturday of the months:

• February 25 (online introduction - free registration)
• March 25
• April 29
• May 27
• June 24
• July 29
• August 26
• September 30