The Growing Academy
Learn to Grow Your Own Organic Fruit & Vegetables — From Seed to Harvest
30-week hands-on course at Laurelbank Farm, Saintfield | Starts Feb 2026
Learn organic growing where the learning comes to life — on a real working organic farm.
The Growing Academy is Laurelbank Farm’s flagship 30-week Organic Fruit & Vegetable Growing Course, designed for adults who want to learn how to grow food confidently, sustainably, and successfully.
Over one full growing season (February–October), you’ll gain both the theory and the practical, hands-in-the-soil experience needed to grow your own healthy, organic produce at home.
No experience needed — just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a pair of boots!
What You’ll Learn
Across 30 weeks, you’ll explore:
Soil health & fertility
No-dig growing principles
Sowing & propagation
Planting & transplanting
Planning your veg garden
Organic pest & disease management
Composting
Polytunnel growing
Maintaining healthy plants
Harvesting techniques
Fruit growing essentials
And much more
You’ll follow the growing season from early seed sowing in February through to autumn harvesting in October — learning each skill right when it matters most.
Learn on a Real Organic Farm
You’ll be learning right here at Laurelbank Farm, a 7-acre organic farm where we grow fresh produce for our veg box members using organic and no-dig methods.
Our facilities include:
The Gallery — a bright, renovated barn classroom
Indoor practical workspaces
A giant polytunnel and our propagation tunnel
Outdoor growing beds & composting systems
Meet Your Teacher — Jo
With experience teaching at South Eastern Regional College and running an organic farm for 8 seasons, Jo brings together academic knowledge, practical experience, and a down-to-earth, encouraging teaching style.
Students describe her as:
“The jewel in the crown.”
“Organised, intelligent, enthusiastic.”
“A brilliant communicator who brings the material to life.”
What Students Say
“Jo really knows how to engage the class… She helps us understand the principles of organic growing for ourselves.”
“The course is well structured and incredibly practical.”
“I learned more here than from years of gardening books.”
“Having a teacher from an actual organic farm was a total bonus.”
Course Details
Choose one class time:
Monday evenings: 6pm–9pm
Tuesday mornings: 10am–1pm
Start dates:
Monday 23 Feb 2026
Tuesday 24 Feb 2026
Length: 30 weeks (breaks at Easter + summer)
Location: Laurelbank Farm, 121 Middle Road, Saintfield
Cost: £550 (payment plan available)
Includes: weekly lessons, practical sessions, online materials, tea/coffees, and a supportive learning community.
Ready to Grow Your Own?
Spaces are limited and tend to fill quickly.
or
Email Jo for details of paying in 3 installments: jo@laurelbankfarm.org
