*AS OF 2021 COURSES WILL BE OFFERED ONLINE. NEW FORMAT TO FOLLOW* 

Please check back in December or CONTACT me to register your interest. 

Please read on for an overview of  course content from previous years.

The courses are presently run from two locations;

• MANOR FARM ​(by request), in the beautiful Candover Valley in Hampshire, and
• COTSWOLD FARM, near Newbury West Berkshire

They are run on FOUR days throughout the year, to coincide with main seasons of activity in a kitchen garden;
Early Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer and Late Summer, 

For the fullest appreciation and understanding of the processes, it is recommended that the all 4 days are completed, though all the days work on a'stand alone' basis and you always will leave full of ideas and inspiration. 

As with all good gardening, the work you put into one season, you will reap benefits from in the next. Carrying over the tips and guidance from each session, you will see how, with a little planning, you can be getting the most from your garden throughout the year.
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• Each lesson will be a full day, starting at 10am and finishing around 4pm. There will be a mixture of practical and theory work in each lesson, varying by season.

 

• A delicious light lunch will be provided, plus a 'seasonal treat' baked by Polly. ​(See RECIPE archives to whet your appetite!)

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• You will leave each lesson with a handout covering all the topics of the day, plus a great selection of personally chosen seeds, and all the guidance to get them started at home.

Full and further details of course content can be found below

   SEE WHAT PREVIOUS STUDENTS HAD TO SAY...

Feedback from Kitchen Garden School Students


‘’ Fantastic Course! I knew nothing and have had great fun sowing seeds, planting, and eating an abundance of veg. Your course has given me the confidence to ‘have a go’ and I have derived such pleasure from not needing to go to the supermarket for veg for a whole summer.’’

'' A huge thank you for a GREAT course. I have learnt so much and it has completely changed the way I think about growing veg..''

‘’Brilliant handouts and good back up on website too.  Huge selection of veg discussed and grown. Also useful to learn about the basic science aspects.’’

‘’This course has been totally inspirational.  I have learned so much about the whole subject, from the beginning to the end results.’’

‘’There is nothing more exciting than cooking and eating vegetables you have grown from seed. I now know what to plant next year, both in terms of what grows well and where, and what is popular to eat. Many thanks!’’

‘’Very informative and lovely seeing all the progress of the plants throughout the year.  Lovely friendly atmosphere throughout.  Polly has been very patient and always ready to help!’’

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                                    Course Breakdown.
                     All dates are for COTSWOLD FARM.

Early SPRING 

Spring into Life The time to make plans & take action.

• Choosing and preparing the plot (space, aspect, ground prep etc) 
• Understanding the importance of soil 
• Good seed selection - all those choices!
• Theory & understanding of different veg groups -what to grow and where; crop rotation theory.
• Creating the all important master plan!
• Seed sowing demos; husbandry of seedlings indoors and out.
• Incorporating companion flowers - for cutting and wildlife
• ACTION PLAN - to take home and help guide you through till the next session*

Late SPRING 

Growing Up & Moving Out  Managing your youngsters!

• Potting on, planting out; nurturing young plants
• What ,When, How to repeat sow for a continuously productive plot 
• Sowing techniques to maximise space
• Managing your existing crops - tips for success and problems to look out for
• Greenhouse crops worth investing in
• Herbs, flowers and other edibles to consider
• ACTION PLAN - to take home and help guide you through till the next session*

Early SUMMER 

The Great Outdoors Time to take it outside.

• Planting Out; making the successful transition from pot to plot
• Plant husbandry techniques; the small differences between success & failure
• First harvests! Tender young vegetables and how to get the most from them
• How and when to feed
• Learning to recognise stress in plants - when it's good and when it's not
• Late summer crops to sow now
• ACTION PLAN - to take home and help guide you through till the next session*

Late SUMMER

The Second Wave Reaping what you sow & looking ahead..

• Clever management of crops; maximising production
• Harvesting techniques; top tips and secrets for getting best flavour and yields
• Dealing with pests etc. Organic methods for troubleshooting
• Repeat sowing to see through the year
• ​Looking ahead; crops to sow now for winter veg
• Seed collection; theory and techniques.
• ACTION PLAN - to take home and help guide you through the year

In addition to the above, we discuss a range of topics related to growing, including biodiversity, heritage & heirloom varieties and some (simple!) gardeners botany.

You will also leave each lesson with delicious seasonal RECIPES to try at home.
PLUS! All your specially selected seeds !

​Price Per Day: £95.00
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Sign up for all 4 days for £350 - save £20
*The interim 'Action Plans' are provided to students who sign up to all 4 days

​For more INFO or to BOOK your place - 

Browsing through seed catalogues, choosing what to sow and grow in the coming seasons.

Beautiful Beetroots

Heirloom varieties Protecting biodivrsity

The joy of bringing in those first early harvests. Here, purple radish. N.B. NOT my hands! They are that dirty, but not that hairy!

Sweet peas; unbeatable scent and loved by bees too

CLICK HERE!

Kitchen Garden School - Image Gallery