Growing Class
(4 week course)
Hi there, and thank you for finding this page!
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My name is Matt, I am the head food grower at Hannah Fields. I joined the project in early 2020, which was the start of me overseeing the development of the growing area, slowly transforming it into the Market Garden it is today.
The growing area has manifested itself in many forms, shapes and sizes over the last 6 years. With the goal of it becoming a space to offer and give the community access to affordable, locally organically grown food. And also being an educational space to teach, inspire and empower people to grow their own food.
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My questions to you are:
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Have you ever wanted to grow your own fruit and vegetables, but don’t know where to start?
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Are you someone who already grows food, but could do with a little help and support, or would like to learn some new tips and tricks?
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If the answer is yes, then my four week growing class course could be the answer to your questions!
In this course, you will be able to learn all the elements needed to have a successful growing space, as I share my 15 years of experience and knowledge.
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I have designed this course to not only teach you the skills and techniques to achieve a bounty of food, but to do it in a fun and relaxing way, whilst being informative and arming you with knowledge and confidence. I want you to succeed, with a smile on your face!
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This course is designed for those of you who have a space to grow at home, or an allotment plot already and require to learn how to get the best out of that space, and maximise you're harvests.
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I have created this course to be unique to you, as the grower! I will help you plan, tailor, design and execute your growing space area, based on its own unique design.
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I will also be providing you with, and designing a full growing season sowing and planting out calendar guide. Which you can use each growing season.
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You will also have exclusive access to, and communication with me throughout the four week course as one to one support to guide you through.
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All the course sessions will take place on Hannah Fields, face to face with myself.
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One of my passions is empowering and supporting people, to grow their own food. I look forward to seeing you on one of my courses, and supporting you on your journey!
Lots of Love Matt x
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What to expect throughout the course
WEEK 1
12pm-4pm
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(estimated 4 hours)​
INTRODUCTION:
1: An introduction: Discussing with you about your previous growing experience, background, and why you have chosen to take part in the course.
2: A discussion with you about the class, and what outcome and goals you want to achieve.
3: Hannahfields growing area tour, introducing course members to their course growing patch.
4: Learn what are Sowing techniques?
5: Learn what are Sowing timings and seasons?
6: Learn about crop spacing, intercropping and planting techniques
PRACTICAL:
1: Preparing growing area patches and discuss organic processes.
2: Sowing first seeds and discussion Eg: How to look after them / conditions etc
3: Discuss propagation
3: Seeds to be sown: (example)
Spinach
Radish
Lettuce
Beetroot
Spring onions
Turnips
Homework:
1: Make a list of vegetables you would like to grow
2: Measure your growing space in inches
3: Note sunshine / light hours on growing space, shade and partial shade.
WEEK 2
1pm-3pm
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​(estimated 2 hours)
1: Discussing what veg you want to grow.
2: Discussing soil conditions at course members growing space, and advise accordingly. Eg: No dig and preparation etc…
3: Mapping out your veg areas at home.
4: Bespoke planning of home / allotment vegetable plot with each course member (based on homework information).
5: Discuss different ways of growing Eg: in pots / vertical etc (in small spaces).
6: Design a seasonal calendar, tailored to your veg growing needs and space followed by a discussion.
7: Discuss our growing calendar on Hannahs and why it’s set out that way.
8: Discussion and advice on seeds / types Eg: what kind to buy F1 and F2 Hybrids / Open pollinators / organic pros and cons.
WEEK 3
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1pm-3pm
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(estimated 2 hours)
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1: Check in with course members - Feedback from each growing class member / how are you getting on with sowing / following and planning your sowing calendar etc.
2: Discuss timings (time of year for growing veggies /why).
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3: Check seedlings / discuss when to plant seedlings / size & maturity.
4: Discuss growing times for plants and timings on harvesting and interplanting.
5: Harvesting techniques of crops.
6: Crop care and taking care of vegetables and the environment of the veg plot.
7: Discuss pest control and ways to avoid pests causing problems.
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​​8: Watering techniques - quantities, when, how and why.
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9: Discuss pollinators.
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​10: Discuss crop protection.
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11: Discuss plant care.
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12: Discuss companion planting.
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13: Discuss plant spacing eg: when to use close and wider spacing.
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WEEK 4
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1pm-4pm
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(estimated 3 hours)
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1: Check in with course members - Feedback from each growing class member / how are they getting on with sowing / following and planning their sowing calendar etc.​​
PRACTICAL:
Plant out vegetables in veg plots, sown on week 1 and follow techniques and information learnt throughout the course.
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Finish with a celebratory lunch
 TESTIMONIALSThe great aspect of the sessions have been that they’re very informative as well as practical at the same time. Learning about methods for gardening such as bio dynamic techniques has been a real eye opener. All of this has been friendly, fun, interest and enthusiastic. All this means is I have greater confidence in going home and starting gardening using the learning I have obtained on the course. Many thanks Matt. Regards Salinder |  TESTIMONIALSThank you Matt for giving me the confidence to grow my own veg! Your course was awesome. Thanks James. |  TESTIMONIALSWe wasn't sure what to expect from the course. It turned out to be beyond our expectations! Insightful, inspiring, fun and really detailed. I would highly recommend Matt's course. |  TESTIMONIALSI cannot recommend this growing course enough. I have previously attempted to grow my own veg with a put it in and hope approach with varied results! The course was fun, interactive and educational. Matt was an amazing teacher, patient and generous, sharing his knowledge and expertise giving us the confidence and enthusiasm to go away and start growing our own crops. Warmly Helen |
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If you would like to book onto one of our growing class courses, there are several we will be running throughout the year. Spaces are limited per course, so we highly recommend booking to avoid disappointment.
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Our course days will run on Saturday afternoons for four consecutive weeks.
Next course:
MARCH 28TH - APRIL 18TH
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£199
