Know how to Grow! We provide the courses from our "Skills for Life" programme 2012. 26th May Foraging with Joerg Mueller as seen on Garrai GlasTG4, Dry Stone Wall construction with Richard O'Gorman, Poultry for the home with Mary Luthers (27th May)

Here are 7 ideas for your new gardening year:

1.Gardening is addictive and as soon as the days get longer and the weather warmer and the garden centres and plant suppliers offer the latest new variety, that new seed and the must have plant this year, we go over board and buy or order, but are we prepared? So if you think you won’t be able to resist the latest trends, prepare your special bed now, 10sqm, for all the impulsive buys and try to develop a low maintenance garden. You won’t regret it!
New course: Garden set-up and useful structures March 4th

2.Self sufficiency is a great idea, but to come even close to produce all your vegetables all year round you need a specific and detailed plan for sowing, planting and harvesting and you need to start in February. 
New course: Plan a year's harvest: start now on February 18th.

3.To save money as a gardener the best way is to improve your skills in sowing, composting, propagating and grafting.Propagating your own fruit trees does not only save you money it can become a very exciting and rewarding hobby.Propagating flowers and border plants can help reduce cost if you develop your own rockery.
New courses: Grafting workshop February 26th and Propagating perennials 6th October.

4.Water as little as possible in the outside garden and you will save money (water charges are looming) and time. Mulch your beds, hoe in dry weather and so keep evaporation down, have good soil that enables plants to send their roots deep down and find water. Try to save rainwater for all your garden needs.
New course: Rainwater harvesting systems 10th June

5.Get your compost right and be a real pro. Collect green and brown materials separate and mix 2 to 1, once you have enough for a compost heap of 1m X 1m X 1m. Cover the top with plastic. Speed up the composting process by rebuilding the heap from top to bottom after 3 months.
Courses: The Complete Organic Garden course starting 11th February and Organic Gardening for Beginners 3rd March

6.Grow only what you like to eat and work on your cooking skills. Prepare meals in the most nutritional way.
Courses: Soups, Dips and Breads 29th April, Cooking Without 12th May, Raw Food Un-'cooking' 16th June

7.Try something new: Make your own beer, felt your own scarf, make your own soap, learn about micro greens.