Introduction to growing organic produce with Klaus Laitenberger (Series of 10 Full Days: February to November 2025)

Location: This course is held at Ballymaloe Organic Farm School in Shanagarry, Co. Cork P25 R274

This series of one day courses, from February to November 2025, is designed to teach participants how to grow your own organic produce. The course will be delivered by Klaus Laitenberger, soil expert and renowned educator. Klaus is author of four gardening books: ‘The Self-Sufficient Garden’, ‘Vegetables for the Irish Garden’, ‘Fruit and Vegetables for the Polytunnel and Greenhouse’ and ‘A Vegetable Grower’s Handbook’.

This course, structured across the 4 seasons,mis for those who wish to learn the skills to start and maintain an organic food garden.

Home, community and commercial growers will benefit from Klaus’ decades of organic food growing experience. We will learn by doing across the 100 acre organic farm, gardens, polytunnels and glasshouses.

Series Dates 2025

Thursday Feb 13,  Thursday March 6, April 10 (Thurs), May 8 (Thurs), June 3 (Tues), July 10 (Thurs), August 14 (Thurs), Sept 4 (Thurs), October 9 (Thurs), November 6 (Thurs)

What You’ll Learn:

• Introduction to soils and the importance of rich fertile soil
• Practical ground preparation – no –dig, digging, lazy beds, Huegelbed etc
• Soil improvement – composting/green manuring/other inputs
• Practical seed sowing and other propagation methods (cuttings, division, layering etc)
• Theory – what is an open pollinated variety and a F1 hybrid?
• Pruning of top and soft fruit throughout the season
• Crop planning and rotation – how much to grow and making a sowing plan Individual crop requirements
• Growing in Polytunnels and Greenhouses
• Organic weed control – weed identification, hoeing, mulching, flame weeding, hand weeding, stale seedbed technique
• Organic pest and disease prevention – throughout the seasons we will identify common pests and diseases and share tips and techniques to prevent them
• Plant care – training, pruning, side-shooting etc for a range of crops
• Harvesting and storing vegetables

Course Elements: 

• Indoor and Outdoor Classroom Learning
• Practical project work across the organic farm, gardens and glasshouse
• Q&A sessions throughout the days as we review each session and put theory into practice

Good to Know:

• The course is held at Ballymaloe Cookery School’s Organic Farm and Gardens in Shanagarry, Co. Cork P25 R274
• Tea, Coffee and sourdough fresh form the Breadshed with jersey butter and homemade jam will be served from 8.45am.
• Please arrive early to register and get ready for a busy morning of hands on learning
• As we’ll spend time walking and learning around the farm please bring suitable clothing and footwear - and allow for changeable weather!
• Lunch included

Additional Information:
Eligible participants living in Ireland can avail of a generous cost reduction on this course through our course partners Rural Food Skillnet. Go to the their Course Page  to sign up and avail of their reduced price offering and to get the course for just €1080. Once you register and pay the reduced rate through Rural Food Skillnet, they will notify us, and you will be all set for the course on February 13th! Please note – to qualify for their rate, you must be a) resident in Ireland; b) employed in any sector (either full-time or part-time) and c) have or plan to have a business for which the skills and knowledge learnt on this course will be applied