Gardening courses
Courses run from April to October.
Organic ME offers small, friendly gardening courses designed for beginners
and home growers who want to make the most of their outdoor or balcony space.
Each session is hands-on, relaxed and focused on practical skills you can use straight away at home.
Working with seasonal plants, herbs and vegetables, we show you how to care for your soil,
choose the right plants and look after them using simple, sustainable methods. You will
learn how to support bees and other pollinators, reduce waste and grow food that is fresher
than anything you can buy in the shops.
Our groups are kept small so there is plenty of time for questions and individual help.
Whether you have a large garden, a tiny patio or just a few pots on a windowsill, our
courses will give you the confidence to grow something of your own.
Gardening course 1 – Grow your first fruit and vegetables
Sessions are held:
on Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00
on Wednesdays from 14:00 to 16:00.
Price: £25 per session or £65 for a 3-week block.
This course is perfect for beginners who want to start growing their own food in a simple, low-stress way.
Using soft fruits and easy vegetables such as strawberries, salad leaves and herbs,
we guide you through every step from planting to harvest.
You will learn how to choose suitable containers or beds, how much water and sunlight your plants
need and how to feed them without using harsh chemicals. By the end of the session, you will
understand how to care for your plants throughout the season and enjoy your first home-grown harvest.
You will also learn how to protect young plants from unpredictable Scottish weather, how to choose
the right compost, and how to recognise early signs of stress such as drooping leaves or slow growth.
We provide simple, practical methods that anyone can use at home without special tools or experience.
By the end of the course, you’ll feel confident starting your own small garden, whether it’s a single pot
of strawberries or a full raised bed.
Gardening course 2 – Seed starting and young plants
Classes take place:
on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 12:00
on Fridays from 15:00 to 17:00.
Price: £22 per session or £60 for a 3-week block.
In this practical course we focus on growing from seed. You will learn how to select seeds for
your climate, prepare trays and compost, and create the right conditions for strong, healthy
seedlings. We also look at common problems such as weak growth or damping-off and how to avoid them.
During the session you will sow your own seeds, learn when and how to thin out seedlings and practise
transplanting them into larger pots or beds. This course is ideal for anyone who wants to save money,
grow a wider range of plants and understand the early stages of plant growth with confidence.
We also explain how to choose the right moment to move seedlings outdoors and how to “harden them off”
safely so they adapt to real outdoor conditions. You’ll discover the differences between fast-growing
and slow-growing plants, the importance of airflow, and how to avoid common mistakes that most beginners make.
This course is ideal if you want to grow healthier, stronger plants right from the very beginning.
Gardening course 3 – Growing a productive vegetable patch
Sessions are hosted:
on Sundays from 11:00 to 13:00
on Thursdays from 16:00 to 18:00.
Price: £28 per session or £75 for a 3-week block.
This course is designed for gardeners who are ready to plan and grow a more productive vegetable plot.
Using examples such as cabbages, cauliflower and other leafy crops, we explore how to prepare the soil,
rotate crops and space plants correctly for strong growth.
You will learn how to feed and mulch your beds, manage pests in an organic way and know the right time
o harvest each crop for the best flavour. By the end of the course, you will have a clear plan for your
own vegetable area and practical tips to keep it productive throughout the growing season.
Throughout the session we also look at how to plan your garden for the whole year, choosing crops
that grow well together and support healthy soil. You will learn small but important techniques
like watering at the right time of day, preventing overcrowding, and recognising early signs of pests.
These practical skills will help you keep your garden productive, tidy and thriving from spring to autumn.