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

Afternoon Cookery Classes begin at 2PM, however please try to be at cookery school for 1:45PM.

Guests will get a copy of all recipes and tastings of all dishes at the end of the demonstration. Please note you will be joining our main student body for this demonstration.

Details of Recipes to be demonstrated are published approximately 2 weeks in Advance.

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

The prestigious Ballymaloe 12 WeekCertificate Course is run three times a year, with courses beginning in January,April or May, and September.

The course is aimed at anyone with a passionate interest in food. Many of our students use the course as a springboard to become a professional chef; others use it to equip themselves with a marketable skill.

Others still take the course simply to maximize the pleasure they get from cooking at home.

Students develop a deep and detailed understanding of food and how it is produced. The emphasis is on recognising the best ingredients and knowing how to showcase them.

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