FERTILE GARDENING

Saturday 2 OCTOBER 2021 9am – 5pm

West Auckland

TUTORS – Ron Sperber & Buffie Mawhinney

In this full day workshop we will cover the fundamentals of organic food production starting from the design of a garden to the ongoing management and maintenance of it. This workshop is a great opportunity to learn by doing and work ‘in the field’ applying some of the key principles and skills needed to grow food, fibre and fuel sustainably in New Zealand. This workshop is ideal for anyone serious about organic gardening and producing food for themselves, their families and their community.

COURSE CONTENT

Introduction to – Designing gardening systems for your soils, site and personal needs; Site management; Biological services and feedback loops – pest control, nutrient flows, and fertility; Herbs and perennials; Crop rotation / green crops / herb lays; Plant health, pests and disease; Year round food production.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the fundamentals of soil fertility, nutrient cycling, diversity and plant health
• Develop an understanding of designing and managing organic food production systems
• Apply the day’s learning to practical gardening activities
• Identify opportunities and challenges to applying the day’s learning

LINKS + REFERENCE MATERIAL

• Soil and Health Association of New Zealand Inc · OrganicNZ magazine
• Organic Edible Garden
• How to Grow More Vegetables* (and fruits, nuts, berries, grains, and other crops)
  *than you ever thought possible on less land than you can imagine
  JOHN JEAVONS, 2006
• The Natural Way of Farming: The Theory and Practice of Green Philosophy
  MASANOBU FUKUOKA and FREDERIC P. METREAUD, 1985
• The Soil and Health: A Study of Organic Agriculture
  SIR ALBERT HOWARD, 2007
• Farmers of Forty Centuries: Organic Farming in China, Korea, and Japan
  F. H. KING, 2004
• The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency
  JOHN SEYMOUR with WILL SUTHERLAND, 2002