Food Growing with Klaus Laitenberger

We are passionate about soil health and know that the nutritional quality of the food we produce is wholly dependent on the quality of the soil in which it grows. The degradation of soil across the globe is of serious concern and as a major contributor to our climate and health crises we need to take immediate action and improve soil fertility. 

Delivered by soil expert and renowned educator Klaus Laitenberger,  organic Inspector for the Organic Trust Ltd as well as project lead on a number of exciting new garden projects and author of four gardening books: ‘The Self-Sufficient Garden’, ‘Vegetables for the Irish Garden’, ‘Fruit and Vegetables for the Polytunnel and Greenhouse’ and ‘A Vegetable Grower’s Handbook’, this course is structured for anyone who plans to start a food garden.

This course will outline the importance of soil fertility. Reasons for soil degradation worldwide; soil erosion/compaction and how every soil can be improved with compost and other bulky soil fertility inputs as well as green manures. 

What You’ll Learn: 

• Learn the reasons for soil degradation and its effect on food security and quality
• Practical experience on how to make a soil fertile and grow healthy vegetables
• How to prepare soil, make compost, sow seeds, grow in polytunnels and avoid pests and diseases
• Crop planning and rotations
• Season specific activities to ensure an annual harvest of nutritious, organic, homegrown, seasonal vegetables

Course Elements: 

• Indoor and Outdoor Classroom Learning
• A tour of the organic farm, gardens and greenhouses
• Practical sessions on compost making and practical ground preparation
• Q&A sessions throughout the day as we review each session and put theory into practice

Good to Know:

• As we’ll spend time walking and learning around the farm please bring suitable clothing and footwear - and allow for changeable weather!
• Refreshments and Lunch included; eat alongside our students, cookery school teachers, farm staff, gardeners and visiting experts
• The course is held at Ballymaloe Cookery School’s Organic Farm and Gardens in Shanagarry, Co. Cork P25 R274
• Tea and Coffee with whatever’s fresh out of the oven will be served from 9am so please arrive early to sign in, meet other students and get ready for a busy day of hands on learning

Additional Info 

Discounted / Part-Funded Tickets Through NOTS:

Eligible participants living in Ireland can avail of a generous cost reduction on this course through our course partners National Organic Training Skillnet. Sign up through NOTS to avail of their reduced price offering and to get the course for just €90. Once you sign up and pay the reduced rate through NOTS, they will notify us, and you will be all set for the course on May 23rd! Please note – to qualify for the NOTS rate, you must be a) resident in Ireland; and b) employed in any sector (either full-time or part-time).