There are many magical moments in the gardener’s year.   The first sweet tender peas podded straight into your mouth, a just-picked Gardeners Delight tomato eaten wrapped in a basil leaf, or the first sweet-sharp raspberries fresh from the cane. Yet to many growing your own seems a mystery – something we at River Cottage hope to dispel in a day dedicated to helping you make the most of your patch, be it large or small.   

 

We’ll take you on every step of the journey from plot to plate, showing you how plan and prepare your plot, how to sow and care for your plants, as well as give you some ideas about how to get the most from your harvest.     

The morning will begin with an overview of the fundamentals of growing your own so that everyone has the grounding to make a success of their patch. We’ll look at the basics that are behind successful growing on any scale – including soil management, sowing, propagation and planting, pruning, watering, feeding, and pest control.

After mid morning coffee, we’ll step outside for a tour of the River Cottage Kitchen Garden to see how we’ve put the principles into practice. You’ll see the different methods we use to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs, taking advantage of small spaces, vertical opportunities for climbers, created raised beds, used interplanting, and take away tips on applying them to your patch, whatever it’s size.  

In the run up to lunch, we’ll take a break from the ‘plot’ and focus on the ‘plate’ – as the River Cottage Kitchen Team show us some of the ways that we can make the best of the seasonal harvest, preparing a three course lunch for us to enjoy.  

The afternoon begins with an outdoor session in one of the River Cottage Gardens, where you’ll have a chance to take part in seasonal activities that are part of creating and maintaining a productive patch. The River Cottage Garden Team will be on hand to answer any questions you have about establishing and maintaining your patch.  

A final indoor session will help you to take your patch to the next level, and include advice about choosing what to grow, the importance of selecting the right varieties, maximizing your growing season, ensuring continual harvests, and sourcing what you need.    

The River Cottage Kitchen Garden is for everyone, and whether you have an acre of this green and pleasant land, an urban allotment or a high rise windowsill, you too can grab your share of the harvest.

Please note that Hugh does not attend this event

Location: This course is run from River Cottage H.Q on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of H.Q. will be provided once you have booked.

Wine/drink: We are a licensed venue. We also have a Bring Your Own policy and we do not charge corkage. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines. We will be serving Elderflower cordial and iced water from our own well.

Accommodation: If you need local accommodation, click here for a list of hotels and bed & breakfasts, recommended to us by our customers. We don’t have camping facilities ourselves, but for information on local campsites and self catering accommodation, call the Lyme Regis Tourist Information Office on 01297 442 138. They will be very happy to help.

Age: We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 12yrs of age and upwards. Under 16?s must be accompanied by an adult. We put these guidelines for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.

Time: 10am-5pm