Events and training from our network
Growing for Wellbeing
The Vine Road Pavillion, Vine Road Recreation Ground, Vine Road, Barnes
5 Mar 2025 | Event
At these monthly Sessions, we invite you to improve your wellbeing by taking part in gardening activities, whilst connecting with others from the local community and learning new skills in a safe and welcoming environment. There will also be a chance to spend some mindful time in nature, for example, making herbal teas. We welcome people of all ages and abilities, whether you are a keen gardener or would like to try something new. All activities will take place at a pace that suits you.
At these monthly Sessions, we invite you to improve your wellbeing by taking part in gardening activities, whilst connecting with others from the local community and learning new skills in a safe and welcoming environment. There will also be a chance to spend some mindful time in nature, for example, making herbal teas. We welcome people of all ages and abilities, whether you are a keen gardener or would like to try something new. All activities will take place at a pace that suits you.
Book 
LGBTQ+ growing group
The Vine Road Pavillion, Vine Road Recreation Ground, Vine Road, Barnes
15 Mar 2025 | Event
Our LGBTQ+ growing group is a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to grow together. We welcome anyone - new to gardening or experienced growers! All tools and equipment will be provided, and there is someone on hand to guide the session. The group takes place on the 3rd Saturday of every month. It is free to attend, but please book via Eventbrite.
Our LGBTQ+ growing group is a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to grow together. We welcome anyone - new to gardening or experienced growers! All tools and equipment will be provided, and there is someone on hand to guide the session. The group takes place on the 3rd Saturday of every month. It is free to attend, but please book via Eventbrite.
Book
Growing with Nature
The Vine Road Pavillion, Vine Road Recreation Ground, Vine Road, Barnes
15 Mar 2025 | Accredited training
Permaculture, regenerative growing, agro-ecology; what does it all mean? There are lots of different terms used to describe sustainable growing, and in this workshop, we will attempt to demystify some of these approaches. We will also look at how to work with nature to make the most of your growing space. This will include understanding light levels and terms such as ‘part shade’ and ‘full shade’, how to be ‘water-wise’, and how to create wildlife habitat in your growing area.
Permaculture, regenerative growing, agro-ecology; what does it all mean? There are lots of different terms used to describe sustainable growing, and in this workshop, we will attempt to demystify some of these approaches. We will also look at how to work with nature to make the most of your growing space. This will include understanding light levels and terms such as ‘part shade’ and ‘full shade’, how to be ‘water-wise’, and how to create wildlife habitat in your growing area.
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Gardeniser Pro course (hybrid course - 2 sessions at Oxford City Farm, 8 sessions online)
Oxford City Farm Cornwallis Rd, Oxford 0X4 3NH
19 Mar 2025 | Accredited training
Gardeniser (Garden-organiser) is an in-depth course covering everything but the practical gardening side of running a community garden or city farm.
The course will run on Wednesdays from the 19th March - 21st May and comprises of 2 whole days in person (the first and last session) at Oxford City Farm and 8 weeks of 2 hour online zoom sessions (with a 2 week break for Easter) 1-3pm. The course costs £350 and we have bursaries available.
Follow the link to apply or find out more!
Gardeniser (Garden-organiser) is an in-depth course covering everything but the practical gardening side of running a community garden or city farm.
The course will run on Wednesdays from the 19th March - 21st May and comprises of 2 whole days in person (the first and last session) at Oxford City Farm and 8 weeks of 2 hour online zoom sessions (with a 2 week break for Easter) 1-3pm. The course costs £350 and we have bursaries available.
Follow the link to apply or find out more!
Book
Gardening for People and Wildlife
Cody Dock, 11c South Crescent, London, E16 4TL
21 Mar 2025 | Event
Friday 21 March from 10:30 to 14:00
Free to attend, but booking is essential.
Gardens and green spaces are essential places for respite for People and Wildlife.
However, so often these two priorities are framed as being incompatible, that one cannot exist without compromising the other. Join us for a discussion on examples of gardens can be powerful spaces benefiting people AND wildlife!
Friday 21 March from 10:30 to 14:00
Free to attend, but booking is essential.
Gardens and green spaces are essential places for respite for People and Wildlife.
However, so often these two priorities are framed as being incompatible, that one cannot exist without compromising the other. Join us for a discussion on examples of gardens can be powerful spaces benefiting people AND wildlife!
Book
Spring Propagation
EcoLocal The Lodge, Honeywood Walk, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3NX
22 Mar 2025 | Accredited training
The art of plant propagation is as old as civilisation. With techniques learned and adapted from nature, we can save money and have more of our favourite plants, with enough left over to share with friends.
In this one-day beginners’ workshop we will cover a range of techniques that can be undertaken as the days of the new year start to lengthen.
The art of plant propagation is as old as civilisation. With techniques learned and adapted from nature, we can save money and have more of our favourite plants, with enough left over to share with friends.
In this one-day beginners’ workshop we will cover a range of techniques that can be undertaken as the days of the new year start to lengthen.
Book 
Using iNaturalist to Record Wildlife
Cody Dock, 11c South Crescent, London, E16 4TL
4 Apr 2025 | Accredited training
Friday 4 April from 10:30 to 15:00
Free to attend but booking is essential
Join us at Cody Dock for a hands-on workshop on how to use iNaturalist to record wildlife sightings! Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone interested in documenting the biodiversity around us.
Friday 4 April from 10:30 to 15:00
Free to attend but booking is essential
Join us at Cody Dock for a hands-on workshop on how to use iNaturalist to record wildlife sightings! Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone interested in documenting the biodiversity around us.
Book
Plants for Free
The Vine Road Pavillion, Vine Road Recreation Ground, Vine Road, Barnes
19 Apr 2025 | Accredited training
These days, we tend to see plants and seeds as something we buy, rather than something we grow. Seed and plant production has been commercialised, and plants can be costly. However, plants we have raised ourselves, that are adapted to local conditions, are often more successful than those we buy. It’s easy to get lots more plants without spending any money at all! In this workshop, we will cover seed sowing, seed saving, taking cuttings, layering, dividing and more!
These days, we tend to see plants and seeds as something we buy, rather than something we grow. Seed and plant production has been commercialised, and plants can be costly. However, plants we have raised ourselves, that are adapted to local conditions, are often more successful than those we buy. It’s easy to get lots more plants without spending any money at all! In this workshop, we will cover seed sowing, seed saving, taking cuttings, layering, dividing and more!
Book
Herbs and Edible Flowers half-day workshop
EcoLocal The Lodge, Honeywood Walk, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3NX
26 Apr 2025 | Accredited training
Learn how to propagate and grow tasty herbs and edible flowers to add to your meals. Discover a range of edible plants to grow in your garden. Created and delivered by our RHS qualified tutor, the workshop includes lots of information and a pot of cuttings to take home.
Learn how to propagate and grow tasty herbs and edible flowers to add to your meals. Discover a range of edible plants to grow in your garden. Created and delivered by our RHS qualified tutor, the workshop includes lots of information and a pot of cuttings to take home.
Book
10-week Gardening Fundamentals evening course with EcoLocal
EcoLocal The Lodge, Honeywood Walk, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3NX
4 Sep 2025 | Accredited training
We have an exciting new gardening course at EcoLocal. Our RHS qualified and award-winning Horticultural tutor has developed a 10-week classroom-based evening course called ‘Gardening Fundamentals’ that takes you through the full range of gardening activities, from looking after and improving soil to pruning, propagation, design and keeping plants healthy. This new course will run on a Thursday evening between 7 and 9pm for 10 consecutive weeks between 4th September and 6th November 2025.
We have an exciting new gardening course at EcoLocal. Our RHS qualified and award-winning Horticultural tutor has developed a 10-week classroom-based evening course called ‘Gardening Fundamentals’ that takes you through the full range of gardening activities, from looking after and improving soil to pruning, propagation, design and keeping plants healthy. This new course will run on a Thursday evening between 7 and 9pm for 10 consecutive weeks between 4th September and 6th November 2025.
Book
