brain pick - about learning to grow your own

[Annpan]

I've volunteered myself to host a bit of a 'Grow Your Own' course-type-thing... for home-educating families around us.... There are many reasons for this
1. I want to teach courses on my land in the future
2. Many hands make light work (and having been away from the garden for 6 months it is going to need quite a bit of TLC to get it up and running again)
3. My E is home educated and we don't have very much contact with other home-ed families... so it will be nice for us and her to have the social contact.

It will be based on our mini-holding and I am planning to give (mostly citytype) families a chance to get stuck into some growing.

We work on mostly permaculture principles, all organic of course.... and we are still establishing things.

The group looks like it will be around 4 adults and 6 kids (ages 4 - 10)

Soooooooo..... can I pick your brains please...


If you were able to take part in something like this what would you like to do?

I'm just coming up with a plan just now.... all hands on... during which I will have time to explain why things are done this way...

sowing seeds in trays and under cover - in our polytunnel
direct sowing and planting out - in our raised, no dig veg beds
companion planting
pruning trees and bushes
pest control - making slug traps
chicken keeping and chook tractors.

I'll go through a bit of a 'what is permaculture' chat.

I will of course be answering (hopefully many) questions too....

It is only since I did a load of gardening for my BIL that I realised how much I actually know about all this stuff now I'm hoping it will be a learning experience for me too though of course.

What else can I include?


I'm probably going to do this for a day every month from spring till autumn

Oh and if there is anyone local interested in joing us let me know

[becks77]

Hi
Composting? some people just have the knack, I dont and I'm sure there are others who would appreciate some tips out there.
Crop rotation is another one
Tool maintenance
Just few thoughts
HTH
Becks

[Annpan]

aha... tool maintenance..... I might need to do a bit of homework on that.... it is definitely one of my downfalls


Compost I can do though

thankyou... my very loose lesson plan is starting to take shape.

[Green Aura]

I think the kids would need to be able to take something they've planted home with them - maybe just a broad bean in a pot so they can see what they did and why they did it.

Another thing that sprung to mind was to have things in different stages so they could see how they progress (not sure how you'd do that) or would the same people be coming regularly?

[crowsashes]

you could grow something quick for that... cress or mustard for example... and they can taste it pretty rapidly.

another thing would be to sprout beans so you can show how seeds start off .

another would be the difference in seeds - my LO is fascinated by the shapes of seeds and the simple fact they all do pretty much the same thing...

[Annpan]

Yes my plan is for the same group (or thereabouts) would be coming back every time.... so they can see the progress that way. I am going to try to arrange each of the families to be able to take away some produce by the second visit. (maybe just salad leaves but still)

I have at least one who has their own garden but doesn't know where to start, so leading them through the season might be the best way to get them going on their own plot....

I'm not charging or anything for that.... I'll be getting as much out of it as everyone else.

[boboff]

I think probably moving heavy things for you, and cleaning and weeding would be best focused on for much of the time, whilst you enjoy cups of Tea and pretend to be on the phone.

What about Soil Types, land exposure, herbs, storing food, Managing Wood, making charcoal, Willow growing and basketry, mushrooms in logs, making butter jam chutney etc, Pest control, ALTERNATIVES TO BEING ORGANIC, Apple Tree grafting, bee keeping, brewing, bread making, Natural remedies, Farming practices in diferent regions of the world / where does our food come from.

Anyway, sound really brilliant, I hope it all goes well.

[Annpan]

Haha Boboff... good plan re. moving heavy stuff...lol...


Some other great ideas in there but I'm not sure I would have time to go into all those other topics.... IF I start running proper courses the yes, I think they might be up for discussion.

Food for thought though, thanks.


but can I ask....

ALTERNATIVES TO ORGANIC???
....... does........ not....... compute.......

[pelmetman]

Gosh Ann going by all the above posts with ideas I think you are going to be very busy
Sue

[battybird]

Looked at the subject and thought...grow your own brain!! Now that would please my OH!

Sounds like a project and a half Ann-pan...good luck with it! Did someone mention container growing for those with limited space?

[Annpan]

Oh Lordy.... I'm beginning to regret it already

container growing is a good one... and I'm thinking a lot about reduce, reuse, recycle too.