Attracting beneficial insects into your garden.

• Introduction to beneficial insects
• The role of beneficial insects in an organic garden
• How to attract and keep beneficial insects in your garden
• Identifying common beneficial insects in an edible garden
• Resources for bug ID

Practical

• Identifying insects in the garden with magnifying glass
• Planting Good Bug Mix

Create an abundant garden year after year.

• Introduction to common crop rotation cycles
• Preventing disease and breaking pest breeding cycles using crop rotation
• Mixing annuals and perennials in crop rotation

Making and using organic fertilisers.

Theory:

• Types of fertilisers - organic vs synthetic
• Methods and timing of applications
• Benefits of using the correct fertilisers
• Nutrient deficient and plant language
• Green manure crops
• Selecting eco-friendly fertilisers
• Make your own fertilisers
• The use of slow release fertilisers

Practical:

• Make a bucket of comfrey tea
• Apply worm juice and other liquid fertilisers

Maintaining a healthy and productive garden.

Theory

• What is this and why we do it
• How to maintain your garden
• Successional Planting
• Pest and Disease Management
• Jobs in the subtropical edible garden
• Tips for saving time, energy and money
• Selection and care of garden tools
• Garden tidy ups
• Understanding weeds
• Weed management - the organic way

Be waterwise.

Theory:

• Different methods of irrigating and how to apply them
• Your plants' water needs
• Designing your garden to save water
• When to water and how
• Storing and using water for irrigation
• Irrigation systems and watering options
• Water saving techniques
• Sources of water

Practical:

• Create an irrigation system in easy steps

How to manage common pests and diseases in an organic garden.

• Understanding who's who in the garden
• The important role insects play
• Making peace with the pests
• Integrated pest management strategies
• The role of good garden design
• Attracting beneficial insects to your garden/companion planting
• Common diseases in the subtropical garden
• Organic solutions to common problems (recipes for common pests and diseases)

Practical

• Identifying insects in the garden
• Planting out some Good Bug Mix
• Identifying healthy/sick plants - understanding plant ‘language'