Seedlings 🌱 #frithfarm #seedlings #permaculture #horticulture #csa #salad #birdseyeview

What a chore but what satisfaction! An afternoon well spent getting the rest of the beds lined out, now just to get some veggies in. #frithfarm #farmingthefuture #csa #permaculture #horticulture #cultivation ... See more

Strawberries are in flower 🍓. #frithfarm #farmingthefuture #strawberries #strawberry #inbloom #inflower #horticulture #permaculture #csa

Blooming nettle! #nettle #inbloom

A day well spent at Humber street vegan market today. The place was packed with like-minded people and it was great to hear such a positive response from people about local farming. Hopefully, you managed to catch us and some of our produce, if not watch this space for more markets in the future. ... See more

Plenty of wonky carrots here at the farm.

Billions of pounds of perfectly good produce are being wasted simply for being the wrong shape, color, and size. But Imperfect has a great solution!
www.imperfectproduce.com
Like Rob Greenfield for more videos like this! ... See more

Out of your pantry and into your garden - Millie Ross shows you how to grow black beans and chillies in your backyard.

Birdseye view of the farm

We spent the day up in the northeast, experiencing other CSA's and organic farming practices. We had a walk around Nafferton farm, showing us their research on organic methods vs conventional methods. We finished the day with a presentation documenting the evidence that organic foods were higher in antioxidants and omega fatty acids, while been much lower in carcinogens like cadmium. It was the positive affirmation we needed, a real buzz around small-scale organic farming is building. ... See more

We've made a film describing the work we do with our producer and distributor members. We launched the film on Saturday at the Land and Food Forum and are thrilled to be able to share it with you now..... Give it a watch, then share it across your social networks! Thanks to the lovely Black Bark films for their amazing work. ... See more

If you're still collecting up your #autumn leaves, why not use them to make #leafmould?

It's easy to make, and it can be used on any #soil at any time of the year. It’s also perfect for seed and potting mixes too!

Making leafmould is as easy as 1,2,3...

#MondayMotivation #winterjobs #planahead ... See more

Leafmould What is dark brown, crumbly, good for your garden and completely free? No, it's not chocolate cake. It's leafmould! Autumn leaves rot down to make leafmould. It is easy to make, and it can be used on any soil at any time of the year. It’s also perfect for seed and potting mixes too. Making... ... See more

Wormeries are a great way of producing high quality compost directly from your kitchen waste! They have the advantage of taking up very little space, creating virtually no smell and they’ll recycle all of your food waste quickly. This course will show you how to build a wormery, and the fundamental steps of how to look after it. We will outline how worms make compost, what to feed them and the best uses of vermicompost. We can guarantee that by the end of the day you will be hooked on worms!

What we will cover:
- How to build a wormery
- The different types of wormery
- What to feed your worms
- How to use the vermicompost produced
- How to deal with problem wormeries
- Course level: Beginners to intermediate

What you need to bring: Sensible shoes and outdoor wear

Booking a place:
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. ... See more

Wormeries are a great way of producing high quality compost directly from your kitchen waste! They have the advantage of taking up very little space, creating virtually no smell and they’ll recycle all of your food waste quickly. This course will show you how to build a wormery, and the fundamental steps of how to look after it. We will outline how worms make compost, what to feed them and the best uses of vermicompost. We can guarantee that by the end of the day you will be hooked on worms!

What we will cover:
- How to build a wormery
- The different types of wormery
- What to feed your worms
- How to use the vermicompost produced
- How to deal with problem wormeries
- Course level: Beginners to intermediate

What you need to bring: Sensible shoes and outdoor wear

Booking a place:
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. ... See more

This course will dispel the myth that you need a large area to grow your own food. We will demonstrate how, with minimum space, you can produce healthy food organically.

We will show you the best techniques for container growing and highlight plants for different environments. Whether you have a have a small yard, a balcony or even just a windowsill, there will be something useful for you to take away.

What we will cover:
- How to asssess a site
- How to make best use of composts for container growing
- Designing self watering systems
- The best plants for different environments
- Planning for your own growing space

Course level: Beginners

What you need to bring: Sensible shoes and outdoor clothes and an outline of your own growing space

Booking a place:
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. ... See more

This course will dispel the myth that you need a large area to grow your own food. We will demonstrate how, with minimum space, you can produce healthy food organically.

We will show you the best techniques for container growing and highlight plants for different environments. Whether you have a have a small yard, a balcony or even just a windowsill, there will be something useful for you to take away.

What we will cover:
- How to asssess a site
- How to make best use of composts for container growing
- Designing self watering systems
- The best plants for different environments
- Planning for your own growing space

Course level: Beginners

What you need to bring: Sensible shoes and outdoor clothes and an outline of your own growing space

Booking a place:
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. ... See more

Composting is a key element of organic growing. There has always been something magical about the transformation of green waste into a product that can benefit your soil and help your plants to thrive. This course will help you to fine tune your composting process and gain an understanding of the processes that happen and how this can be influenced by different mixes and types of bin. We will also show you how to make the best use of your compost for growing healthy food.

What we will cover:
- The basic components of successful composting including where
to site your compost bin and which ingredients to compost
- Demonstration of different bin types and composting systems
- Recognising the creatures in your compost bin
- How to deal with problem compost heaps
- A basic knowledge of how to use compost in the garden, potting
mixes and mulches

Course level: Beginners

What you need to bring: Sensible shoes and outdoor wear

Booking a place:
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. ... See more

Composting is a key element of organic growing. There has always been something magical about the transformation of green waste into a product that can benefit your soil and help your plants to thrive. This course will help you to fine tune your composting process and gain an understanding of the processes that happen and how this can be influenced by different mixes and types of bin. We will also show you how to make the best use of your compost for growing healthy food.

What we will cover:
- The basic components of successful composting including where
to site your compost bin and which ingredients to compost
- Demonstration of different bin types and composting systems
- Recognising the creatures in your compost bin
- How to deal with problem compost heaps
- A basic knowledge of how to use compost in the garden, potting
mixes and mulches

Course level: Beginners

What you need to bring: Sensible shoes and outdoor wear

Booking a place:
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. ... See more

This half-day course is a perfect follow on from the ‘Introduction to the principles of organic growing’. Using organic principles, it will focus on how to plan your organic growing space, choosing what to grow and when to grow it.

We will outline the key principles of designing a rotation so that you are able to organise your growing space to provide a continuous supply of healthy food. You will go home with a plan of action and something seasonal to grow in your garden.

What we will cover:
- Discover how to assess your growing space;
- Learn the best times of year for various gardening activities;
- Create a cropping plan for your food growing space;
- Learn how to design a rotation;
- Learn some practical growing skills by sowing something
seasonal to take home.

Course level: Beginners

What you need to bring: Sensible shoes and outdoor clothes and an outline of your own growing space.

(Please note, if you attend this session, there will be some overlap with the earlier ‘Introduction to the principles of organic growing’ course in the morning. We will ensure this is kept to a minimum.)

Booking a place:
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us for more information and to reserve a place. ... See more

This half-day course is a perfect follow on from the ‘Introduction to the principles of organic growing’. Using organic principles, it will focus on how to plan your organic growing space, choosing what to grow and when to grow it.

We will outline the key principles of designing a rotation so that you are able to organise your growing space to provide a continuous supply of healthy food. You will go home with a plan of action and something seasonal to grow in your garden.

What we will cover:
- Discover how to assess your growing space;
- Learn the best times of year for various gardening activities;
- Create a cropping plan for your food growing space;
- Learn how to design a rotation;
- Learn some practical growing skills by sowing something
seasonal to take home.

Course level: Beginners

What you need to bring: Sensible shoes and outdoor clothes and an outline of your own growing space.

(Please note, if you attend this session, there will be some overlap with the earlier ‘Introduction to the principles of organic growing’ course in the morning. We will ensure this is kept to a minimum.)

Booking a place:
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us for more information and to reserve a place. ... See more

Most people think of organic growing as ‘growing without chemicals’ but there is so much more to it than that.

Organic growing makes the best use of resources by working with and understanding natural processes and plans ahead to make your soil and environment a place where crops will thrive.

This course covers the thinking behind organic growing, giving you confidence in the techniques and understanding on how to create a healthy and productive growing area.

What we will cover:
- Gain an overview of the organic principles;
- Learn the best ways to improve your soil to grow healthy plants
- Learn about some of the common challenges and how to manage
them without using chemicals
- Learn how to recognise beneficial creatures and how to attract
them into your growing space
- See organic food growing principles in practice with a tour of
Ryton Organic Gardens.

Course level: Beginners

Booking a place:
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us for more information and to reserve a place. ... See more

Most people think of organic growing as ‘growing without chemicals’ but there is so much more to it than that.

Organic growing makes the best use of resources by working with and understanding natural processes and plans ahead to make your soil and environment a place where crops will thrive.

This course covers the thinking behind organic growing, giving you confidence in the techniques and understanding on how to create a healthy and productive growing area.

What we will cover:
- Gain an overview of the organic principles;
- Learn the best ways to improve your soil to grow healthy plants
- Learn about some of the common challenges and how to manage
them without using chemicals
- Learn how to recognise beneficial creatures and how to attract
them into your growing space
- See organic food growing principles in practice with a tour of
Ryton Organic Gardens.

Course level: Beginners

Booking a place:
Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us for more information and to reserve a place. ... See more

On Thursday evening School staff from Cofton, Longbridge, Rubery and Northfield were invited to meet our Move More Eat Well school team at their Project Briefing Event.

They learnt how to encourage their school to be more active and healthy and were able to sample home grown microgreens, make a fruit kebab and even learn how to fix a puncture!

Interested schools can contact a member of our Move More Eat Well team here, for more information. ... See more

Meet the School Team! Posted on 13th October 201718th October 2017by Anne Dasgupta The Move More Eat Well campaign might already be in full swing with plenty of events happening in the community, but right now the school team of partners Sustrans and Garden Organic are working hard getting ready to… ... See more

Just another reminder to keep a look out for our prickly friends on #bonfire night.

There is some great advice here from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. #rememberhedgehogs

If you're having a bonfire this weekend please check for hedgehogs. If you're going to a display please ask organisers to check. #rememberhedgehogs

#November has arrived and here is our first #fridaytip of the month. It's a good time to lift all of your root crops, such as #carrots, #beetroot and #turnips before the heavy frosts set in - see our advice on how to store them.

Add organic #mulches to protect the soil and give it good structure for next year's growing #season. The best materials to use are a thick, damp layer of straw, grass clippings and autumn leaves mixed together.
#fridaytip #winter #organicgardening #rootcrops #mulching ... See more

Harvesting and storage Picking and eating your own organic vegetables and fruits are the joyful outcome of growing. In these pages we help you store your organic produce – either in times of glut, or to tide you through the winter. The right conditions are crucial for successful storage of any crop,... ... See more

Just preparing the new harvest seed of the Golden Chard. What a pretty plant!

The "Amanda" sweet peppers are incredible. Look, another huge harvest of fruit this morning! Seed from the first batch of these will be available online really soon. 🙂

Here's Tam spending an afternoon this week deseeding the "Amanda" sweet peppers. We love the pepper harvest - we all get a huge bucket of peppers to cook with once the seeds are taken out!

Amaranth! The Leaf Amaranth plants are flowering well now in the tunnel and it looks spectacular; they're about 12ft tall. New seed from them should be ready in late November.

Bulking up our super tasty new bean Princess - in the field earlier in the year, drying in the tunnel - and the catflap we installed so that Thompson can get in and protect all our drying seeds even when the tunnel is shut up! ... See more

A fairly large Pacific Giant squash - 27kg!

Squash harvest at Real Seeds! Here's Ian bringing in the hugely diverse Treugerat squash population. This is the start of a dehybridisation project; all these different squash came from seed in one pumpkin Ben found at a festival in France. We'll select the best and breed them true over the next 8 years. ... See more

A few photos from a busy harvest week at Real Seeds: Ian cutting the hedges back, Ben sorting the Special Swiss sweetcorn, a visit by the local Permaculture group and harvesting enormous sunflowers. (oh and not to forget Kate practicing Hamlet with a Polarnaya Siberian Cabbage...) ... See more

We've been getting the squash harvest in now, and this is interesting - the one at the bottom is a Sibley that was harvested *last year* - yes, 12 months ago! Stored on the dresser in a cool room, it's still in perfectly eatable condition. Now that's what you can call a good-storage variety! ... See more

This is why chemical farming is so wrong . Great timelapse photography of what happens if you remove all the organisms from the soil.

Bioturbation with and without soil fauna.