Would you like to learn to grow your own food? This beginners course will teach you everything you need to get started. We’ll look at soil, seeds, propagation, plant care, no-dig bed making, and compost. This is a fun and practical course with Lisa Houston in our community garden plot. No reading or written work needed. We finish with a celebratory meal, not a test! By the end of the six weeks, you’ll come away knowing how to grow amazing fresh food with no pesticides. All while being out in the fresh air surrounded by healthy plants, friendly folk, and beautiful views.

A previous course participant said:

“Very lovely people, I get lots of new information about vegetables, and how important is the soil for all of us and the planet. I am happy that I participated in that course because helped me to gain confidence in understanding how to look after vegetables, soil and the nature.”

Course Dates

This year, we’re running two courses, both on a Monday, starting Monday 11 May

Course dates are Monday 11, 18, 25 May and 1, 8 & 15 June

Morning Course

The morning course is 10am-12 noon
Click here to book the Morning Course on Ticket Tailor

Who is This For?

This course is for anyone who wants to learn how to grow vegetables using wildlife-friendly methods (no pesticides). You don’t need to have your own garden – maybe you will one day. Or you can use these skills in any community growing space. The teaching is aimed at adults but you’re welcome to attend with a baby or young child.

Accessibility Notes

We will be teaching and learning in our Community Garden. The ground is rough and uneven, but there are no steps and people have navigated it in robust wheelchairs. We will mostly be outdoors – be prepared for windy north Edinburgh! There is hands-on activity, but no heavy lifting. We have outdoor kit you can borrow (wellies, waterproofs, fleeces). We don’t have microphones, but will be a fairly small group (under 20 people).

See below about ticket pricing and financial accessibility.

About the Course Prices

We have three different prices. Paying the standard rate makes a contribution to covering our costs. If you can afford to pay the higher rate, you enable us to offer the discounted rate to folk under financial stress:

This course runs over six 2 hour sessions – the price is for all six:

Standard price: £85
Solidarity (offer if you can) £127.50
Discount (take if you need) £42.50
+ Ticket Tailor Booking fee

Click here to book your place on the MORNING course via Ticket Tailor

We can arrange a free space if the cost would prevent you from being able to attend – please email communityallotments@lauristonfarm.org to request this

Location

This course is in the farm’s Community Garden. The entrance is just past the farmyard at the back of the Toby Carvery car park.

You can get travel directions via what3words:

https://what3words.com/eagles.guess.tree

Please use public transport, walk, wheel or cycle to get to the farm whenever possible.

Lothian Buses 16, 27, 29, 37 & 47 all stop within 5 minutes of the farm and there is a bike rack in the farmyard.

There is no public parking on the farm. We can support a small number of vehicles to drive onto the farm to park at the entrance – this is reserved for disabled people who need it as an access requirement. Please contact us in advance if you need this arrangement.