GROW it Yourself (for beginners) Weekend Course 13/14 April 2024
Weekend Course at GROW HQ
This two-day course with GIY Founder and TV presenter (Food Matters & GROW COOK EAT) Mick Kelly (Day 2) and GIY's Head Grower Richard Mee (Day 1) is suitable for new growers with big ambitions as well as experienced growers keen to brush up on their skills.
If you are interested in growing your own organic food, this foundational course set in the beautiful urban farm at GROW HQ in Waterford, is the course for you. Mick and Richard have delivered talks and training courses in organic food production to thousands of people around Ireland and the TV series Grow Cook Eat has been seen around the world by over 12 million viewers. This course is about building the confidence and foundational skills you need to grow food successfully and put delicious, homegrown food on the plate for you and your family.
The course takes place in the various gardens around GROW HQ including our production veg patch, our model home garden and ‘container corner’ so you can be sure that whatever space you have to grow on at home, you will find relevant content on this course for you. Learn from the masters as they take you on the journey from seed to harvest, showing you first-hand how to avoid all the pitfalls along the way. You will learn how to grow a range of vegetables, herbs and fruits and to grow them in living soil that ensures you are eating the most nutritious food possible.
You will learn:
- How to plan a veg patch
- Feeding the soil / plants
- Seed sowing and transplanting
- Pests, disease and weather
- Care – pruning, thinning, weeding, staking
- Growing in containers / raised beds
- Harvesting / storage
You will take away:
- Confidence to grow food
- Practical, foundation skills like seed sowing and transplanting
- A seed tray and selection of seeds to take home
- A copy of GIY’s Grow Cook Eat, written by Mick Kelly
- Join the GIY network via the GIY app to stay connected to your fellow course attendees
On each day, you'll enjoy a delicious plot-to-plate mezze lunch overlooking the HQ Gardens (or in the garden if weather permits) and get the chance to meet and learn from fellow GIYers. There will be coffee, tea and scones on arrival each day and a seasonal cordial for an afternoon pick-me-up.
This is a two-day event, run twice a year:
- Saturday 13th April & Sunday 14th April, 10am to 4pm
- Saturday 22nd June & Sunday 23rd June, 10am to 4pm
Please arrive 10 minutes before class starts and come dressed appropriately for a weekend spent outdoors in the garden: sturdy footwear, rain jackets, suncream, etc.
Teaching the Course
Mick Kelly - Mick is founder of GIY, a social entrepreneur, author, TV presenter and hacker grower. He worked in the IT industry for 10 years before starting GIY in 2008 after a chance encounter with a bulb of Chinese garlic in a supermarket. He co-presented/produced 3 series of Grow Cook Eat for RTE which is now watched around the world on Amazon Prime. He also presents and co-produced the 6-part series Food Matters on RTE 1.
Mick is an Ashoka Fellow, a member of The Irish Food Writers Guild and a board member at Common Knowledge. He has written 5 books, the latest of which The GIY Diaries was nominated for an Irish Book Award in 2022. He has written columns on food for The Irish Times, The Irish Independent and Food & Wine Magazine. He was Local Food Hero in the Food & Wine Awards. He lives in Dunmore East with his wife Eilish and two teenage GIYers.
Richard Mee - Richard started growing at only 3 years old with his dad and since then has accumulated over 40 years of growing experience. He studied for a BSc in Horticulture at Reading University and an MSc in Organic Farming at the Scottish Agricultural College. In addition to the UK and Ireland, Richard has grown veg all over the world, including Central America and Africa.
Richard came to GIY simply to continue to do what he loves, which is growing and teaching others to grow (he might also tell you it’s because we needed him, which isn’t wrong!). Richard lives on a few acres in Carrick on Suir where he grows for his family, including his three children, and commercially in his tunnel.
Testimonial
Richard and Mick’s passion for growing is very encouraging for newcomers to gardening. I gained lots of new and practical information over the 2 days in a relaxed friendly environment. The synergy between the garden and kitchen was clear- our tasty lunches showcased what's possible with quality seasonal Irish veg and fruit. I am watching over the seedlings I brought home and excited to see them grow................thank you!
Zelie, Course attendee 2023
Accommodation Options
We are happy to recommend the following accommodation options in Waterford that are close to GROW HQ.
Cancellation Policy
We operate a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel your booking at least 48 hours prior to event you will be refunded. Cancellations made less than 48 hours prior to the date will not be refunded.
Allergies
Please advise us of any dietary requirements and allergens when booking (email: allen@giy.ie) - we are unable to change the menu on the day.