New gardening classes at Peachcroft Farm!

Bridget Thurley, Master Composter has sent
this, and asked for volunteers ...

Grow your own Vegetables at Peachcroft Farm
Contact: gyoveg@hotmail.com

Time: Thursday 9.30-11.00 am (please ask if interested in a Saturday
afternoon class)
Place: Peachcroft Farm www.peachcroft.co.uk It has the convenience
of a cafe and toilet! There is also a plant stall and 'pick your own'
to try the vegetables we do not grow (asparagus should be appearing
very soon).Cost: £6.00 per session Equipment: All gardening equipment
provided but please bring wellies, gloves, and refreshments.

The Classes: Week by week basic techniques in vegetable growing are
covered using theory, demonstration and practical work as various
tasks are undertaking on the vegetable plot. The focus is on crops
that are easy to grow, tasty and productive and that gave year round
produce (not just those that yield during the holiday season!)
Labour-saving tips are covered in detail.
The information given and experience gained should suit all gardening
situations. Those who have less experience have the opportunity of
cultivating the Peach Croft Farm plot in a supportive group, others
may choose to use their newly acquired skills at home or on their
allotment.
Within the first few weeks a beginner should have enough knowledge to
be harvesting their own container-grown salad leaves and herbs and
also growing-on tomatoes, cucumber, potatoes and climbing beans. Other
crops will be sown on the Peach Croft plot.
In general, class members should leave each class with some knowledge
gained, a problem solved and a new idea to try out.

Jobs for April:
April 23. Crop rotation, digging and seed-bed preparation; the
’no-dig’ system; container-grown salad vegetables.
April 30. sowing seed, pricking out, potting-on. Weeds and weed control.
May 7. Compost, fertiliser and liquid feed. Looking after tomatoes.

Future classes: Pests, diseases, moisture conservation and other
problems; growing veg. in the poly tunnel/greenhouse; no-dig gardening
(i.e. raised bed systems and permiculture); storing & preserving
produce and recipe ideas; low cost propagation: saving seed, growing
from cuttings and dividing plants etc.