Organic on Course – New courses

The new look Complete Organic Garden courses

“Thanks very much for getting me started on growing in an easy and understandable way” is one of the most common remarks on the feedback sheets of the garden complete course. The idea of this course is guiding participants not only throughout the gardening season, but to successful growing. Each day builds on the knowledge gained in the previous month and is full of practical advice and tips how to grow food organically. One of the main attractions of the complete organic garden course in Leitrim is the learning environment of the extensive gardens, polytunnels and displays at The Organic Centre. Following the season as it unfolds in the gardens of The Organic Centre (and our outreach venues in Clare and Wicklow) being able to see progress and failure every time the participants are back, helps as much to build confidence as the tuition given by our gardeners builds knowledge.

“Enjoyable day”, “Relaxed atmosphere”, “Informal and interactive” are other often heard comments at the end of a course day. This is in no small way down to our lecturers, who live what they do. Many of them have, apart from a horticultural qualification, years and years of experience in organic growing. As people say: Nothing can beat a good teacher! And they all like teaching.

Enrolling in the garden complete course is a big commitment as it means travelling once a month. Having spoken to previous course participants, having looked at last years feedback and having consulted with the lecturers, we felt it was time for change. This years courses in Leitrim and Wicklow feature 5 days (in Co. Clare 3 days) concentrating on the best organic practises for growing vegetables, full of the latest information and practical sessions. All the ancillary elements like growing herbs and fruit, harvesting and preserving, companion planting, using herbs medicinally and cooking skills can still be added on to create your own 10 day course, but it gives participants more flexibility especially during the summer period and they can tailor the course more to their needs. We feel this suits participants better, especially in a period where time and money might not be as readily available as in previous years.

Starting: January 6th in Leitrim, February 20th in Clare, February 24th in Wicklow.