Waste not, want not workshop series: From soil to seed: Plant health and organic growing
Discover how to grow thriving, healthy plants the organic way!
Learn the secrets to creating the perfect growing environment for your plants, identify common pests and diseases, and discover organic solutions that really work. This workshop combines expert classroom teaching with hands-on outdoor experience in our productive kitchen garden and is perfect for beginners, or anyone who wants to understand their outdoors spaces a little more.
What you’ll learn
Understand what makes plants truly thrive, not just survive! You’ll discover the fundamentals of organic gardening, learn to match plants to their ideal growing conditions, and gain the confidence to identify and treat common problems using natural, chemical-free methods aligned with organic principles.
In the classroom:
- What is organic gardening and why it matters for your health and the environment
- Creating the right growing environment for different fruit and vegetables
- What happens when plants are grown in the wrong conditions
- Identifying common pests and diseases in gardens and greenhouses
- Effective organic treatments and prevention strategies
- Professional guidance from an experienced horticulturist
Hands-on in the garden:
- Plant garlic together in our kitchen garden
- Discuss specific pests and diseases related to garlic and other crops
- Examine vegetables currently growing and identify real-world issues
- Learn about protected growing methods
- Share experiences and tips with fellow gardeners in an informal, supportive setting
What’s included
- Expert-led slideshow presentation on organic growing principles
- Identification guide for common pests and diseases
- Hands-on planting experience in our kitchen garden
- Practical demonstration of organic treatments
- Resource materials and guides to take home
- Q&A and experience-sharing with fellow gardeners
- Access to our productive kitchen garden for real-world examples
Over a series of two hour workshops, you will learn the complete skills to grow your own food at home – from soil preparation and composting through to seed saving, planting, plant care, and harvesting.
These transformative workshops will equip you with everything you need to grow your own organic food at home, whatever your starting point or available space. You’ll learn professional horticultural techniques from an experienced gardener, covering soil preparation and composting, seed collection and sowing, container growing, pruning, plant health, and organic growing methods aligned with Soil Association standards. Beyond the practical skills, you’ll discover how to significantly reduce your shopping bills by growing fresh, nutrient-rich produce in your own garden, balcony, or patio. You’ll gain the confidence to troubleshoot common garden problems, manage pests naturally, and become truly self-sufficient in growing food year-round. This workshop series isn’t just about gardening – it’s about reconnecting with nature, reducing your environmental impact, and joining a supportive community of like-minded growers. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to deepen your existing knowledge, these sessions offer practical, achievable learning at a pace that suits you, with the satisfaction of knowing exactly where your food comes from and how it’s been grown.
Workshop details
Grow, Cook, Share, Care is a Hands of Hope programme engaging vulnerable groups, those with complex needs, families, especially those living in food poverty, and older people, in learning, wellness and social activities aligned to growing, cooking, and nature.
Suitable for all. Priority for spaces will be given to people meeting the criteria: aged over 50, young carers and young adults with learning disabilities.
There is no charge for this workshop, donations are always welcome!
Please ensure you arrive ten minutes before the start time to ensure we can get everyone registered. You will need to do one booking per person please so we know who will be attending.