WORKSHOPS

‍A hands-on Spring Propagation Workshop focused on the art of seed sowing. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this friendly and informative session will guide you through essential techniques such as seed pre-treatments, various sowing methods, and the crucial aftercare needed to boost your success rates. As part of the morning, enjoy a hot drink and delicious homemade cake while we chat about our gardens, plots or balconies, share tips, and troubleshoot both triumphs and challenges together. You'll have the opportunity to get practical experience sowing seeds, discuss growing your own food, and learn what to sow at different times of the year to keep your garden productive and vibrant. Grow with confidence this spring.

‍Take an early morning amble through the spring woods to discover and learn some birdsongs. Sarah Wilesmith has worked in the woods for over a decade, and can help you tell your Coal Tit from your Great Tit, and Nuthatch from Treecreeper. We may even hear a Kingfisher or Nightingale! With a handy guide to take home, this walk will help you learn the names, habits and some folklore of thirty of our woodland birds.

‍Take an early morning amble through the spring woods to discover and learn some birdsongs. Sarah Wilesmith has worked in the woods for over a decade, and can help you tell your Coal Tit from your Great Tit, and Nuthatch from Treecreeper. We may even hear a Kingfisher or Nightingale! With a handy guide to take home, this walk will help you learn the names, habits and some folklore of thirty of our woodland birds.

‍Join us for a hands-on cyanotype workshop in the naturalistic Bates Green Garden, led by professional photographer Alison Bettles. Discover the magic of creating sun prints—an early photographic technique that requires no camera or darkroom. During this practical session, you’ll gather beautiful natural materials from the garden and transform them into your own unique botanical artwork.

‍Enjoy plenty of opportunities to ask questions, savour a hot drink, and treat yourself to delicious homemade cake as you immerse yourself in creativity and nature.

‍Come and join us for this inspiring experience in a stunning garden setting.

‍Join us for this garden tutorial to celebrate the unique beauty and challenges of summer. Guided by Head Gardener Emma Reece, this walk will immerse participants in the art of border planning and maintenance, garden design, and essential tasks for summer. Emma will share practical tips for creating a naturalistic garden, gardening with wildlife in mind, and adapting your gardening practices to climate change, all while highlighting the most captivating features of the season.

‍Enjoy a hot drink and a slice of homemade cake, providing a relaxed atmosphere for questions, sharing ideas, and connecting with fellow garden enthusiasts. Whether you are looking for new ideas to take home or want to deepen your understanding of sustainable gardening, this workshops offers practical insight and inspiration for every gardener.

‍As you walk the shady summer woods, you'll gather leaves to make your own identification guide for future reference. With your guide, Sarah, learn to tell Beech from Hornbeam, Alder from Elder, the properties of birch bark, and the folklore and uses of the trees.

‍Local artist and gardener Emma will lead you in a three-hour creative workshop at Bates Green Garden. We will be using various drawing, mark-making and collage techniques to foster a grounding connection to the garden and its rich wildlife. Swapping gardening tools for sketchbooks, we will explore how drawing amongst nature can be a tool for grounding and mindfulness in an otherwise hectic world. All abilities welcome!

‍Materials will be provided but please bring a sketchbook if you can.

‍A Summer Propagation Workshop dedicated to the fascinating technique of taking cuttings. This practical session will help you master the different types of cuttings you can take in July, guiding you on where to remove them from your plants, how to properly prepare and plant them, and providing essential tips for aftercare to ensure healthy new growth. Enjoy a relaxed morning with a hot drink and a slice of homemade cake, while connecting with fellow gardening enthusiasts to share knowledge, ask questions, and build your gardening confidence.

‍Local artist and gardener Emma will lead you in a three-hour creative workshop at Bates Green Garden. We will be using various drawing, mark-making and collage techniques to foster a grounding connection to the garden and its rich wildlife. Swapping gardening tools for sketchbooks, we will explore how drawing amongst nature can be a tool for grounding and mindfulness in an otherwise hectic world. All abilities welcome!

‍Materials will be provided but please bring a sketchbook if you can.

‍Join us for a hands-on cyanotype workshop in the naturalistic Bates Green Garden, led by professional photographer Alison Bettles. Discover the magic of creating sun prints—an early photographic technique that requires no camera or darkroom. During this practical session, you’ll gather beautiful natural materials from the garden and transform them into your own unique botanical artwork.

‍Enjoy plenty of opportunities to ask questions, savour a hot drink, and treat yourself to delicious homemade cake as you immerse yourself in creativity and nature.

‍Come and join us for this inspiring experience in a stunning garden setting.

‍Come and dip into the fascinating world of fungi. From Beefstakes to Birds Nests, Fly Agaric to Fibrecaps, we have identified sixty types of fungi in Beatons Wood, and there are many more! Discover a little about the woodland web, and maybe discover the truly bizarre life of a slime mould. Take home a little guide which will help you learn to tell them apart, and inspire you to find out more.

‍Join us for this garden tutorial to celebrate the unique beauty and challenges of autumn. Guided by Head Gardener Emma Reece, this walk will immerse participants in the art of border planning and maintenance, garden design, and essential tasks for autumn. Emma will share practical tips for creating a naturalistic garden, gardening with wildlife in mind, and adapting your gardening practices to climate change, all while highlighting the most captivating features of the season.

‍Enjoy a hot drink and a slice of homemade cake, providing a relaxed atmosphere for questions, sharing ideas, and connecting with fellow garden enthusiasts. Whether you are looking for new ideas to take home or want to deepen your understanding of sustainable gardening, this workshops offers practical insight and inspiration for every gardener.