Polytunnel Growing

Welcome to
Featherfield Farm
Polytunnel Course

Polytunnel Vegetable Growing Course
Sat 9th May 2020

This course, hosted by Klaus Laitenberger, is for anyone who wants to know more about growing under glass/plastic. Polytunnel growing is far more productive and reliable than outdoor production, especially in Ireland. However it requires alternate skills and knowledge of a different system of growing. The highest failure in glass or polytunnel growing is related to location and aspect, so Klaus will look at each attendee’s site to make sure the basics are in plave before you start. If your polytunnel is already in place Klaus will give tips to solve problems. The other fundamentals to get right at the beginning include correct size for your needs, budget, available space, floor type, ventilation, doors, watering equipment or systems, blinds & insulation and heating. Instead of just producing one crop outdoors you could get up to 5 crops per year in one space with proper crop rotations and plant management. The course includes crop planning, propagation and heated propagators, staging & shelving, pots & pot selection, detailed guidelines on growing a variety of crops, and the rotation of crops. Klaus will also introduce vegetable options for the greenhouse which you may not have considered but which have substantial yields. Potatoes, artichokes, asparagus, lemons & peaches. Practical aspects eg types of tunnels, pest control, disease control and general management will also be covered. One of the key aspects to the course is soil management Klaus will give clear guidelines for success in this area.

We start at 9:30am with tea/coffee and a friendly meet-up and introduction to Klaus.
Workshop starts each day at 10am sharp. We break at 11:30am for tea/coffee. At 1:30pm we have a light lunch of soups & home made breads. Klaus will finish at 4:30pm with tea/coffee and any additional questions from that days activities.
To ensure you get the very best value from your Featherfield farm experience with Klaus, please bring...
* A soil sample and a sod sample from your vegetable plot or garden (about 1kg) so Klaus can help you assess what is needed for your garden.
* A drawing of your garden with dimensions with the tunnel in place or a proposal of where it will be sited (pace it out if you don’t have a long enough tape). Please note north, south etc perspectives and highlight any trees or features that need to be considered in the gardens layout (phone pictures would help). If you have an established polytunnel please bring an outline of last years crops and locations, and any issues you experienced.
* Jam jar with lid
* Wellington/water proof boots,
* Note Book, Warm Jacket

You can witness first hand one of Ireland's national Farming For Nature Ambassador Farms for 2019. Facilities include parking and heated classroom. During your time at Featherfield Farm you also have access to the farm shop. We sell Organic Dexter beef, Organic lamb, free range Organic eggs, Organic free range chicken, and our own honey. We have gardening books, and a full selection of vegetable seeds, along with select plants and vegetables available when you visit.

About Klaus Laitenberger
Klaus writes a column every month in the Irish Garden magazine. Klaus is the author of three best selling vegetable gardening books which are available for sale in our farm shop. He was a lecturer at UCC in the Organic Horticulture Masters program. In 2018 Klaus received the Nuffield scholarship award. Klaus was the head gardener at the Organic centre in Co. Leitrim and restored the gardens of Lissadell House in Co. Sligo. He has 35 years experience in the world of organic horticulture.

Cost €95

Schedule:
Saturday 9th May:
9:30am tea/coffee
10am course start
11:30am tea/coffee
1:30pm light lunch of soups & breads
Finish at 4:30pm with tea/coffee

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Featherfield Farm is a registered member of The Organic Trust
Symbol/Licence Number: 1568

Telephone

Mark Hurst: 086 859 4438
Julian Pawlowski: 087 624 0811

Email

mark@featherfieldfarm.ie
julian@featherfieldfarm.ie

Address

Featherfield Farm
Lullymore West, Rathangan,
Co. Kildare, R51 Y188

​Welcome to Featherfield FarmPolytunnel Course​

Telephone

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Welcome to
Featherfield Farm
Polytunnel Course