STARTING IN STYLE

We are starting this season with open days on 17-19th June, in association with Garden Organic, further details can be found here and further dates will be announced soon. There is a special discounted rate if you book three or more modules in June and July.

We have a full programme planned for this year, both in the garden and on this site, look out for new features like our video “How to…” clips, eco-renovation diary and “what to do now” blog.

FRIENDS AND VOLUNTEERS

We would like to thank all our friends and volunteers for their help and support.

Friends are companies, groups and associations that have helped financially or with goods, products and services.

Volunteers help with the hands on planning, planting, development and maintenance of the garden, some on a regular basis, others whenever they have an hour or two to spare.

We would not be able to continue without their help.

If you would like to become a friend or volunteer please contact us for further details.
Volunteering does not have to be a regular commitment and you will meet others interested in what the project has to offer and can learn new skills and techniques while helping with the work at the garden, and volunteers of all skill levels and experience are welcome.

THE YEAR SO FAR…

After a real winter at last, with temperatures not raising above zero for weeks on end and snow isolating communities we were starting to think we would never see and end to it. As low input gardeners we only use artificial heat and light as an emergency backup so delayed much of our sowing and planting. In talks given in March I was saying we were a good 3 weeks behind an “average year” (whatever one of those is!), then we seemed suddenly to go straight to summer with temperatures in the high 20’s and drought conditions.
Now this week we seem to have gone into autumnal mode with unsettled, cold, wet and misty conditions, a whole year’s seasons in 8 weeks!

This has played havoc with our sowing and planting schemes, but nature seems to have taken it in her stride with probably the best show of snowdrops, blue bells and daffodils that I can remember. Although some plants have been lost, the majority have come through all this with great resilience giving better fruit set, better flowering and better yields from over-wintered cauliflower and broccoli than usual.

The asparagus was ready to cut at the beginning of May, a good week earlier than last year, spurred on by the hot weather, then the cooler couple of weeks in the middle of May slowed it down to help extend the cutting season. Asparagus season is one of the highlights of my year, so anything that extends its season is welcomed, I enjoyed the first cut on the 2nd May, served lightly steamed on fresh, warm sour dough bread with a goose egg accompaniment. We have just taken the last few spears this week (first week in June) and now look forward to June’s treats, the first peas, small and sweet; crisp cauliflower; salad leaves in variety and, this months special treat, baby broad beans followed by the first of the strawberries. Let’s hope we get a little more summer before winter strikes again!

The cold start to the year has also slowed the bees somewhat, but they have now built up their colony strength, have filled their box with young brood and enough food, nectar, pollen and honey for themselves, and are now working on some honey for us!

The weather also affected the early hatch of chickens, which was poor and weak, so a second brood was incubated, which has hatched successfully, giving strong, healthy chicks.

Now the 2010 season is in full swing I hope to keep you up to date with what is happening at the OGP on a regular basis.

OTHER EVENTS

Wednesday 16th June, 7.30pm, Abingdon Carbon Cutters will be meeting at St. Ethelwold’s House, East St. Helens Street. This month there will be a chance to hear more about ARES - the Abingdon Renewable Energy Scheme. We will also be giving out plants of leek, onion, tomato, peppers etc for you to grow on and harvest to bring to our eco-fair on Saturday 9th October at Abingdon Guild Hall, where you can try your hand at making your own traditional bread and, while that is cooking, turning the vegetables you have brought back into soup to share a meal at the fair.

Saturday 12th June, 11-2pm, environment awareness day, Abingdon market place.

OPEN DAYS IN ASSOCIATION WITH GARDEN ORGANIC

The garden will be open from 10-5 pm on Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th June.

There will be an opportunity to look around the garden and workshop, ask questions, buy plants, browse the gift shop and view our courses. Entry is free, but we welcome donations to Garden Organic., the country’s leading organic gardening charity. There will be a display by the Wilts and Berks canal trust and refreshments will be available.

GARDENING COURSES

Courses are run at our garden in Longworth, a half acre kitchen garden with long established no-dig deep beds as well as new areas being developed. They are run in half day modules covering a wide range of subjects, and each module contains both theory and practical sessions. Although we are low-input organic gardeners our courses are suitable for anyone wishing to grow their own fruit and vegetables, whether in containers, small spaces, garden or an allotment and are suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Each module costs £25.00, with a discount of £10.00 if you book three or more modules at the same time during June and July. Morning modules are from 9.30-12.30, afternoon from 1.30-4.30 and evenings from 6-9 pm. A non-returnable deposit of £15.00 will be taken by cheque, cash or debit card on booking.

Choose one or more half day modules, contact us with your preferred date and subject and as many alternatives as possible, either by email to robert@theogp.org or phone 01865 820206. Full details on the web site, www.theogp.org

Dates available for summer 2010: Monday 21st June to Friday 25th June inclusive Monday 28th June to Friday 2nd July inclusive Monday 5th July to Friday 9th July inclusive, mornings only Monday 26th to Friday 30th July inclusive Monday 16th August to Friday 20th August inclusive Subjects covered include: Introduction to low input and organic gardening; growing techniques including no-dig, deep beds and containers; growing in small spaces and containers; growing under cover; composting and wormeries; sowing and pricking out; propagation techniques; understanding your soil; gardening tools, how to use and look after them; planning your plot and crop rotation; making the most of your garden or allotment and practical sessions. Full details can be found on the web site.

The Oxford Garden Project is a not-for-profit social enterprise delivering talks, demonstrations and courses on gardening, growing fruit and vegetables, local food, cooking, preserving, composting and allied sustainability issues.

For more information, get in touch

T: 01865 820206
E: hello@theogp.org

Enjoy!

Click Image For Large Version

General information:

Talks and demonstrations can be given during the day, evening or weekend; at your venue or at our workshops and garden where groups of all sizes can be catered for and light refreshments are available.

I am happy to travel to any location, charging overnight expenses if over 50 miles from Longworth.

Charges:

Talks and demonstrations up to 45 minutes are charged at £50.00.

Talks and demonstrations up to 90 minutes are charged at £75.00.

In addition travelling expenses at £0.50p per mile are to be added.

Overnight expenses at cost if over 50 miles from Longworth.

Group visits to our workshops and garden are charged at £50.00, for a morning, afternoon or evening visit. Tea and coffee is included.

Whole day visits, group courses, schools, clubs etc. quotation on request.

Practical courses in our workshops and garden are run as half or full day modules, you can choose to come for a single module or run several days together.

Whole day courses include refreshments and a light lunch.

A basic course (maximum of 14 people) is £50.00 per person per day.

A Masterclass (maximum of 6 people) is £75.00 per person per day.

Short courses are of 2-3 hours duration costing £20-30.00.

They can be morning, afternoon or evening courses and can be run together to make a whole day.

If you have any other requirements, individual tuition, special needs etc please contact us to discuss how we can best help you.

GARDENING:

We work closely with the WI, Garden Organic and the Heritage Seed Library, as well as schools, local environment groups and councils.

We have grown organically for over 30 years and open our no-dig organic vegetable garden and allotment to the public, where we also run courses. We have exhibited demonstration and show gardens at RHS and major garden shows (Gold medal winner in 2007) and I am a “Master Composter” for Oxfordshire.

Although all my talks are informative and popular I have marked those which seem especially so with **

GENERAL GARDENING INTEREST

GROWING VEGETABLES IN CONTAINERS **

Even if you only have a window cill, balcony or porch it is possible to grow fresh vegetables and herbs. If you have more space it can still be beneficial to grow in containers, providing special conditions and concentrated care, allowing more to be grown in a small space.

We will discuss types of container and compost, siting, feeding and general maintenance. We will also look at special requirements, which varieties are most suitable and how to maximise yield from a small space,

cut-and-come-again and micro-greens

A demonstration is available.

GROWING FRUIT IN CONTAINERS

Many fruit varieties prefer specific conditions to perform well, which growing in a container can provide, giving healthier plants and bumper crops.

We will discuss types of container and compost, siting, feeding and general maintenance. We will also look at special requirements, which varieties are most suitable and how to maximise yield from a small space. A demonstration is available.

COMPOSTING **

Anyone can and everyone should make compost. Even the smallest garden can accommodate a compost area, transforming garden and kitchen waste into a valuable plant food and soil conditioner.

We will cover the importance of recycling and making compost, discussing techniques, types of container and wormeries. We will look at what can and what should not composted, how to use the compost and common problems.

A “Can you compost it” game is available, either as a competition or a teaching aid.

AUTUMN PLANTING **

If you want to enjoy an early spring display of flowers and foliage then autumn is the right time to plan and prepare for it.

Concentrating on bulbs and containers for a spring display, we will look at types of containers and compost, how to plant bulbs correctly to give a succession of blooms, feeding and general maintenance. We will also look at bulbs in the garden and discuss the best varieties for different locations. A demonstration is available.

SPRING PLANTING

Concentrating on bulbs and bedding plants for a summer display, as well as planting in containers for filling gaps in the summer border.

We will look at types of containers and compost, how to plant bulbs correctly to give a succession of blooms, feeding and general maintenance. We will also look at bulbs and bedding plants in the garden and discuss the best varieties for different locations. A demonstration is available.

HANGING BASKETS

Hanging baskets, properly made and planted can transform your house from spring until autumn, and can even be productive with herbs, fruit and vegetables.

We will discuss types of basket available, what compost and additives to use and which plants are most suitable. How and when to plant them and how to look after them to give the longest productive period with the least maintenance. A demonstration is available.

GROWING VEGETABLES **

Whether growing in the garden or on an allotment, growing your own will provide fruit and vegetables of superior taste, freshness and variety, while offering healthy exercise and an opportunity to save money on your food bill.

We will discuss how to identify and improve your soil type, planning and cultivation, requirements of different types of vegetable, propagating, planting, harvesting and storing your crop.

(Please note, this is an extensive subject, shorter talks will have selected topics)

SMALL GARDEN DESIGN

Discussing ideas for the smaller garden to ensure you get what you really want from the space.

How to maximise the space available, utilising basic design principles, innovative ideas and planting suggestions.

GARDENING COURSES

We have been giving talks, demonstrations and running practical courses for over 25 years.

Although our 1 acre site is run on organic principles we will discuss non-organic methods.

New courses are being planned for 2009, including joint courses with Garden Organic and the WI.

If you would like advanced details please either email robert@theOGP.org or telephone 01865 820206.

Topics covered include:

Principles and practice of organic vegetable growing

Growing vegetables in containers

Sowing and growing for beginners

Plant propagation

Growing under cover

Composting and wormeries

Small garden design

Fruit juicing

Preserving and bottling

Seasonal cookery

Non-gardening courses include corn dollies, woodturning, general woodworking skills, basic DIY, dolls houses and miniatures.

Hello everyone!

Keep checking back as we’ll be starting to fill this site with news, articles, tips, films, interviews, pictures, event info and anything else we’re getting up to.

Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re sure something needs watering somewhere…