Increasingly we have hot summers and weeks without rain, and it can be a nightmare for gardeners. In this session we will look at practical ways to reduce your need to water plants. We will also brew up some natural fertilisers to use on tomatoes and squashes so they produce tastier and larger fruits.

Is it a weed or a plant?This is a common question that gardeners ask themselves when expecting seedlings to sprout. We will take a look at what’s growing in the garden and help you distinguish between the weeds and wanted plants. We will also explore natural pest control methods to help you protect your crops without polluting them.

Since our first meeting we have started a 5 week horticulture training course with Spires in Streatham and are hoping to repeat that pilot in Autumn and add a Horticulture Qualification.

The topics for June 5th include...

You don't have a garden but want to grow food? 

In this 2-hour session we'll be looking at small scale garden solutions from mini garden beds to growing on a windowsill and making the most of what space you have. We'll be planting up trays that can fit into any space, so that you can try your own food growing at home.

Concerned about the state of the world? Climate change? Social inequalities? Want to do something about it… just not sure what?

Come along to a free INFO EVENING to find out more.

In collaboration with Incredible Edible Lambeth (IEL) we are aiming to form a working group building on the training that we and IEL ran last year.

Forest gardens can give a multitude of yields while supporting biodiversity and a number of other ecological functions. With this session you will get an overview of the main characteristics of forest gardens, what to look out for when designing your forest garden as well as some practical skills for maintaining the existing forest garden at Glengall Wharf. 

In some cases digging is necessary. In most cases it disturbs soil life, lessens soil moisture and causes weeds to grow. This two-hour session is an introduction to the why and the how of no dig gardening. Participants will walk away with a clear idea of how to start a no dig garden as well as how to maintain it.

Concerned about the state of the world? Climate change? Social inequalities? Want to do something about it… just not sure what?

Come along to a free INFO EVENING to find out more.

In the soil care and composting session, we will examine what the components of good garden soil are, how we can keep it healthy for producing food and flowers and how to improve it using different composting methods. We'll explore techniques that are applicable on different scales, from the community garden to the back garden or the balcony.

Pest or guest? In this two-hour session you will become familiar with common garden pests and diseases such as slugs, aphids, blight and pigeons. We'll be looking at practical tools and strategies to overcome these unwanted visitors, including some companion planting ideas, and implementing some tried and tested techniques to help prevent them.