Paddy Madden has contacted me. He plans on running a course in Ardclough Village Centre towards the end of February and wonders if any retirees might be interested.
Location
Ardclough Village Centre, Ardclough, Co. Kildare and Botanic Gardens. Tea/Coffee and biscuits available on arrival.
Cost
€50; Minimum 10 persons; Maximum 20 persons.
Course Presenter Dr. Paddy Madden
Paddy was a primary teacher and a lecturer in a College of Education for over four decades. He is an advocate of wildlife and organic gardening. In 1984 he established the first school wildlife garden in Ireland and later wrote a book entitled, ‘Go Wild at School’ which is now in its 3rd edition. This book demonstrates how to garden in tune with the earth. Paddy became a ‘Heritage in School Specialist’ in 1999 and since then he has visited nearly 700 schools around the country teaching pupils and teachers about the natural world and gardening. His website is: www.engagewithnature.ie
Paddy sent me a colourful poster – but unfortunately the format is not copying to blog – follow link to see it – but all the info is here
Organic Gardening Course Spring 2024
Topics covered in course
| Wed. February 21st
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11-1 pm | Benefits of gardening; Soils; Composting; Growing new potatoes-bed/bag; Mangetout peas in biodegradable pots; Making biodegradable pots; Lightbox; Organic deterrents. Suppliers of open-pollinated seeds |
| Tues. February 27th
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11-1 pm | Rationale for growing organic vegetables; Growing organic peas, carrots, marrowfats; Growing scallions, beetroot, lettuce, salads indoors; Growing onions and tomatoes.
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| Wed. March 6th
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11-1pm | Growing herbs; Rotation of crops; Gardening for bees and butterflies; Friends and foes in the garden; Home-made fertilizers; Wormery |
| Wed. March 13th
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11-1 pm | Green manures for summer beds; Sowing vegetable plants outdoors; Analysing wildlife potential of the grounds of Village Centre; Taking softwood cuttings.
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| Sat. March 16th | 11-1pm | Guided walk of the Botanic Gardens by Paddy Madden
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