Foraging talk given by Miles Irving at King Henry's Walk last summer
The more I know about gardening, the more I want to know. Gardening courses are a wonderful way to increase your knowledge and as the growing season starts, there’s a plethora to book onto. Locally to me in North London, King Henry’s Walk Garden has a whole series of great courses and talks running throughout the year.
Photo: Vertical Veg 2011
Last night I went to hear Mark Ridsdill-Smith, of Vertical Veg, talk about growing food in small spaces. All were wowed by the image above and Mark was very generous in sharing his extensive knowledge with all who came to the event. More photos inspired us all to experiment with growing some unusual veg such as Wasabi (as in the beans) for their tasty leaves and flowers, and herbs such as Vietnamese Coriander, Lovage and Sorrel which you’d be hard pressed to buy in the shops.
Mark discussed why you don’t see every balcony and windowsill in urban areas overflowing with tasty produce, and what barriers might stop others from also ‘growing their own’. Probably a combination of not enough time, not being aware what can be grown in such small areas, knowledge of where to start when growing food and also the cost of buying pots, soil and seeds. A really interesting debate and he concluded that beginning with small quick projects might be a good way to encourage others to have a go.
If you sign up to Mark’s Vertical Veg blog, he’ll send you free monthly newsletter full of growing tips and also a his ‘Art of growing food leaflet’ which lists ten very useful steps to enable you to grow your own. If you fancy something more hands-on, Mark will be back at King Henry’s Walk on 21-22 April, for a full on weekend course on ‘everything you need to know about designing and maintaining a highly productive vegetable garden in containers on your balcony, patio and window sills.’ For a very reasonable £95.00, and cuttings to take away to start you off, this should be a very informative and enjoyable weekend.
Staying in London, The Garden Museum in Lambeth, now lists a whole heap of events, talks, exhibitions and workshops, and I’m very excited to have booked to hear Joy Larkcom, queen of veg growing, talk on June 13th.
And another more hands-on course in London is the Seed2seed monthly foundation course in urban food growing at Food from the Sky on the rooftop of Budgens in Crouch End. Starting next week with a free taster course on March 17th 2012, 2-4pm, the course continues on the third Saturday of each month from 10-3pm and takes you right the way through the growing season up until November, with a comprehensive study programme aimed at beginners and those with some gardening knowledge too.
photo: Bloomsbury. Laetitia Maklouf talking about making a garden in a year
A little further afield, The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival, running from 24th March-1st April, has six, one hour talks from garden writers talking about their new books (and many other talks from non-gardening authors too!). Above is Laetitia Maklouf who will be talking about ‘Sweetpeas for Summer: How to create a Garden in A Year’ on March 28th and other talks include: Sararh Raven on wildflowers, Sunday 25th March (which sadly I’ll have to miss due to eating cake at our next ‘Cake Sunday’), Toby Musgrove on heritage fruit and Veg, Jennifer Potter on the History of Roses, Val Bourne on colour in the garden and Andy Hamilton on making wine and beer from fruit veg and foraged plants. All talks last for an hour and cost £10. Certainly worth finding out which talks and courses could inspire and enlighten you throughout 2012.
Out of my shed 
Wow, where was the vertical veg pic taken? I’d love to feature that on my blog… x
Hi Veronica, Mark lived for many years in Kentish Town, but has now moved out of London, reappearing only every now and then to share with others his phenomenal knowledge. Sorry to disappoint.
Mark lived just round the corner from me in Dartmouth Park and the street was certainly livened up by the sight of his tomatoes all over the front of the house. Luckily his neighbour was happy to give over her front garden to more of his veg but now it would be hard to know which house was his. Nice that he still has plenty of work here in London so is able to pop back and see friends.
Very Interesting Blog and have now signed up for the Garden Museum newsletter and information, Thank you so much.
Hi MJ, really worthwhile finding out what’s on at the Garden Museum.Went to some fab talks there last year and looking forward to lots more this year too.
V.best Naomi
I know what you mean Naomi. I came to gardening in my late twenties and have spent the last 7 years doing various courses trying to make up for lost time. there is just so much to learn and it’s addictive. There aren’t quite so many opportunities for courses here in Wales but I’m always on the look out for new places so the Oxford ones sound great. Might see if I can get to one. Love the sound of ‘Cake Sundays’.
Hi WW, Should you be London bound towards the end of May, we ‘re having a larger Cake Sunday on, confusingly, Saturday May 26th as part of the Chelsea Fringe. Delighted if you could join us!
Thank you for the kind invite, will check diary and see what our plans are.
Thanks Naomi that’s a very useful list and I plan to follow up on the Oxford talks.
Hi Sue, Would love to hear what they were like if you do go. V.best Naomi
I hope Sue and Wellywoman enjoy the Oxford events. The Festival setting in Christ Church is stunning and also offers a chance to stroll through Christ Church Meadows, and, not too far away, the Oxford Botanical Gardens. Should make a great garden-lover’s day out.
I do miss London sometimes – and all those events made me get a sudden rush of information envy…
I did grow a lot of stuff in my front garden in Streatham, and had a bit of a nicking problem. In the end I scuppered the thief/thieves (they even brought scissors to do the job properly) by sticking very spiky rose prunings amongst everything. It worked, even if I also fell victim to the thorns…
Dear Kate, We did have a few thefts from tree pits and I think your rose prunings idea is fantastic. Also have a few foxes digging holes, so might work to deter this too.
Veg theft does seem less than flowers, but happy to share a few runner beans if it spreads the ‘grow your own’ word.
Although we have great courses and neighbours in London, I do sometimes get space envy of those living out of London, although this year I’m going to try to be more creative, as in Vertical Veg above,with what space I do have.
Off to prune some roses now!
Love the vertical veg growing photo, really cool way to get the most out of the space!
Hi Mark and Gaz, yes Mark’s vertical veg is really amazing and on his website is a pic of his balcony at the back of the house (pic taken from a treehouse in a neighbours garden!) that is equally impressive as it brims over with tons of veg too.
Thanks for the tip
Good heads up on the Garden Museum talks. May see you there as Joy Larkcom is my inspiration so would be just thrilling to hear her speak. Mark R-S lived just around the corner from me and I, for one, miss the sight of all his tomatoes and tromboncini courgettes covering the front of the property now that he’s moved north. Btw, he also had a wormery and compost bin on his balcony, as well as copious salad leaves; truly an inspiration!
Lovely informative post, Naomi, thank you.
Hi Caro, Can’t wait to hear Joy Larkcom speak. Her veg books have inspired and informed me so much over the last number of years and wouldn’t want to be without them. See you there! Naomi
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