Core College

One-Day Course on Organic Vegetable and Fruit Growing

Discover the joy and skill of growing fruits and vegetables organically

Course Overview

This one-day course is ideal for anyone keen to learn how to grow high-quality vegetables and fruit organically.

Held in the Core College Organic Gardens in Castlecomer, County Kilkenny, the course combines practical, hands-on garden work with expert guidance from Klaus Laitenberger and Heiko Klee. Both gardeners have extensive experience in organic growing, with Klaus also being author of several highly regarded books on the subject.

Each Thursday workshop is followed by an optional Friday workshop on medicinal herb growing (link)

Choose your Date!

9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday, 23 April

Thursday, 18 June

Thursday, 3 September

Course Highlights

On this one-day practical course, you will learn how to prepare your garden for strong, healthy vegetable and fruit growth. We will explore what “organic” really means in day-to-day growing, the role of living soil, and easy, effective ways to improve fertility using composting and mulching. Students will also cover seasonal planning, crop choices, and simple sowing and planting techniques to set you up for success.

Suitable For

This day is ideal for beginners, home gardeners, and anyone who wants to grow better food more naturally. Whether you’re starting from scratch, hoping to improve yields, or looking for more sustainable ways to grow vegetables and fruit, you’ll find the day practical, supportive, and inspiring.

Learning Highlights

By the end of the day, you will understand the key principles of organic food growing, know how to build healthier soil, and feel confident planning and planting a productive garden. You will leave with clear, achievable steps for growing vegetables and fruit through the seasons, using organic methods that support long-term soil health and better crops.

Teachers

Klaus Laitenberger

The author of three gardening books and a regular contributor to Irish Garden magazine, was central to the creation of the Core College gardens. He is passionate about organic growing and maintaining soil health, and is well known in Ireland as a passionate teacher.

Heiko Klee

A horticulturist with over a decade of experience, Heiko has spent the past seven years focusing on medicinal herb cultivation in Ireland. He leads the development of the College’s medicinal herb growing project, with a strong focus on organic methods suited to the Irish climate.

Helen Begadon

Director of Core College for over 25 years, Helen Begadon leads the College’s commitment to teaching organic living and healing principles that support health and wellbeing. Core College specialises in herbal medicine, and promotes organic, nourishing food as a core principle.

Course Fee

Course fees are €190. However, if you are employed or self-employed and living in the Republic of Ireland, you will receive 40% funding through the National Organic Training Skillnet. That means your fee is reduced to just €115.

If you choose to do a Thursday and Friday combination, so that you take part in both the food growing and herb growing days, the overall cost will be €380. With the 40% funding, this brings the cost of both days down to €228.

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