Gardening Courses and
Tours in Tilled Earth

Learn what needs attention now in the vegetable, fruit and herb garden. The day will cover harvesting and storage, soil protection, green manures, autumn sowing, perennial crops, pruning and propagation. We will also look at how a greenhouse or polytunnel can be used to extend the season and provide fresh produce through autumn and winter. Coffee and scones on arrival and lunch are included.

A guided walk through the walled garden, greenhouse, woodland, forest garden, medicinal herbs and orchard with a composting demonstration and a talk on building soil fertility.  Followed by a relaxed home cooked lunch.

A practical course on making productive use of a greenhouse or polytunnel throughout the colder months. Topics include crop planning, soil preparation, ventilation, watering and succession sowing, with particular attention to winter salads such as mizuna, rocket and claytonia, as well as spinach, garlic, herbs and other reliable crops for Irish conditions. Coffee and scones on arrival and lunch are included.

An introduction to planning and establishing a productive fruit garden. The talk will cover site choice, shelter, soil preparation, pollination, rootstocks and variety selection for apples, plums and soft fruit, together with less common crops such as aronia, blueberries and cranberries. A guided study tour will follow, using the Tilled Earth orchard and fruit plantings as practical examples. The afternoon will conclude with a home-cooked supper.

An introduction to designing a productive forest garden, covering woodland layers, soil preparation and the selection of fruit trees, shrubs, perennial vegetables and medicinal plants. A guided study tour will follow, featuring the Tilled Earth forest garden, medicinal forest herb garden and large forest Hügelbed. The afternoon will conclude with a home-cooked supper.

This course is for anyone who wants to produce a substantial proportion of their own food. Participants will consider household needs, available space, crop quantities, rotations, fertility, storage and seasonal continuity, and will begin preparing a realistic cropping plan for the following year. Coffee and scones on arrival and lunch are included.

10am – 4.30pm

Booking is essential as places fill up quickly.  You can also email your booking directly to: klauslaiten@gmail.com

How to prepare a new or existing food garden for the coming growing season. The session covers converting lawn to productive beds, assessing soil, controlling weeds, protecting bare ground, adding organic matter, planning paths and beds, and putting an established garden to rest without losing fertility. The talk is followed by a guided study tour. The afternoon will conclude with a home-cooked supper.

Pre- booking is required as spaces are limited.  You can also email your reservation directly (milkwood.farm@hotmail.com) and pay on the day.

2pm-6.30pm

A detailed practical course covering top fruit and soft fruit, site assessment, soil improvement, pollination groups, rootstocks and variety recommendations. The day includes a practical planting workshop and guidance on pruning, feeding, weed control, staking, protection and long-term management. Coffee and scones on arrival and lunch are included.

Pre- booking is required as spaces are limited.  You can also email your reservation directly (milkwood.farm@hotmail.com) and pay on the day.

10am-4.30pm

Learn how to make reliable, high-quality compost using garden and household materials. We will examine composting systems, the balance of green and brown materials, moisture and aeration, hot and cool composting, troubleshooting common problems and methods for producing usable compost in approximately three months. A practical demonstration and guided study tour are included. Coffee and cake will be served on arrival.

Pre- booking is required as spaces are limited.  You can also email your reservation directly (milkwood.farm@hotmail.com) and pay on the day.

2pm-4pm

A practical course led by Klaus Laitenberger and Eleanor Sutherland, community herbalist, covering culinary and medicinal herbs from propagation and soil requirements to harvesting, drying and storage. The day will explore suitable annual and perennial herbs for Irish gardens and include practical sessions on making herbal preparations such as lip balms, hand salves and lotions. Participants will be able to bring home some of the herbal preparations they make. Coffee and scones on arrival and lunch are included.