Get Growing
Discover the joys of growing your own veg with River Cottage Master Grower, Connor Reed
This hands-on day is the perfect introduction to transforming your garden, patio, or allotment into a productive, organic veg plot.
At River Cottage, we believe growing your own food can be a game-changer, especially in today’s world of intensive farming and environmental challenges. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some gardening experience, this course will inspire you to get your hands dirty and start growing.
Taught by Connor, who supplies our chefs with the freshest organic produce, you’ll learn all the essential skills to grow a thriving veg plot.
Want to know exactly what you’ll be doing? Keep scrolling for a step-by-step breakdown of the day!
Get Growing Highlights
- Learn from River Cottage Master Grower, Connor Reed, a passionate expert in organic gardening.
- Take part in practical demonstrations and guided tours of the famous walled Kitchen Garden and polytunnels.
- Cover essential topics including planning, tools, seed sowing, pruning, and pest and disease management.
- Discover how to transform your patio, garden, or allotment into a productive vegetable plot.
- Gain the knowledge and confidence to grow your own vegetables, promoting sustainability and healthier living.
- Ideal for both beginners and experienced gardeners looking to enhance their skills.
Your day
10:00 - 17:00
Arrive at River Cottage
Begin your River Cottage experience with a scenic 10-15 minute walk through beautiful pathways down to the farm, where you’ll have the chance to soak up the breathtaking views of the valley along the way.
Make yourself at home
Meet our Master Grower over a warm tea or coffee, paired with delicious treats prepared by our award-winning chefs, fresh from the kitchen.
SESSION ONE
You’ll begin by discussing the space you have available and the areas you’d like to focus on during the day. Connor will share his expertise on the incredible variety, value, and flavours you can achieve by growing your own vegetables, offering practical advice on tools and site selection.
SESSION TWO
Connor will guide you on a tour of the Kitchen Garden, where you'll learn about crop rotation, creating the perfect compost, pruning techniques, and how to make your soil work for you.
LUNCH
At River Cottage, food is always at the heart of everything we do. Enjoy an unforgettable seasonal two-course lunch, expertly crafted by our award-winning chefs, adding an extra layer of delight to your day.
SESSION THREE
Grow what you eat. Learn how to choose the right crops for your space, master crop rotation, and explore the benefits of companion planting.
SESSION FOUR
Step outside for a guided tour of our polytunnels, where you'll learn the practical benefits of growing under cover. Connor will guide you through the fundamentals of propagation, teaching you how to raise plants from seed or cuttings. You’ll also plant your own seed trays, with Connor walking you through the next steps to follow once you take them home.
SESSION FIVE
Know your enemy! In the final session, you'll discover organic solutions for tackling the most common garden pests and diseases.
Q&A
By now, you’ll likely have plenty of questions, so this is your chance to receive expert advice from Connor on successful growing at home.
DEPARTURE
At the end of the day, you’ll head back up the hill to the car park, feeling confident and ready to make the most of your garden. You’ll also take home an information pack, the seed trays you’ve planted, and an organic seed packet to get you started.
Further Information
Directions
This course is run from River Cottage HQ on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of HQ will be provided once you have booked.
Licensed Venue
We are a licensed venue. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines available to purchase.
Accommodation
If you’d like to stay at the heart of River Cottage, we offer overnight accommodation in our beautiful 17th-century farmhouse. Choose from three stylishly refurbished B&B rooms or the 2-bedroom Gardener’s Cottage. These rooms book up quickly, so for more details and to reserve your stay, visit rivercottage.net/accommodation. Alternatively, we’ve compiled a list of local accommodation options, including B&Bs, self-catering, hotels, and camping.
Suitability
We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 12 years of age and upwards. Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. We put these guidelines in place for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.
Allergy Advice
Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements or allergies when booking.
