The Farmer’s Arms Gardening School (2027)
Details
Dates: 13 February 2027 to 11 December 2027
Time: 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Price
£550 + booking fees
Book Here
Welcome to the South Lakes’ only gardening school, now in its 7th year and still devised and taught by Grizedale Arts Head Gardener, Karen Guthrie, with occasional help from other leading local horticulturalists. Learn hands-on (all tools are provided) in the picturesque and varied gardens of the historic Farmer’s Arms inn, complete with its flower beds, gravel garden, meadow, orchard, veg beds, containers and cut flowers – a bit of everything!
We continue to adapt and improve the programme based on participant feedback, this year adding a one-to-one session for every enrolee so that you can discuss your own garden challenges in detail with Karen.
The School welcomes beginner and improver gardeners alike, of any and all ages, whether you’ve been coming to the School for a few years or are a newbie.
2027 DATES are Saturdays Feb 13, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug 14, Sept 11, Oct 9, Nov 13, December 11
School sessions run from 10am – 3.30pm (*slightly longer than ’26!), with a 45min lunch break (our lovely Cafe Teen is open for tasty lunches, or BYO) and an included tea / coffee and a snack from 3.30 – 4pm
New for 2027
Each participant will also be offered a 30 minute One-to-One with tutor Karen during the course, where they can ask questions about their own gardens, seek troubleshooting advice or discuss ideas for their garden projects.
Graduates of previous years’ Schools join us from time to time to work on projects within the pub gardens, so it’s a great way to make like-minded friends and swap plants and advice with local gardeners.
What To Bring
Work gloves, a pair of secateurs & a trug or bucket, water bottle, hat / sunscreen / weather-appropriate clothing and footwear
Tickets / What’s Included
-The full programme of 11 sessions costs £550, working out at just £50 pp per 5.5hr session.
-All tools and materials (incl. the odd spare plant!) are included, as is a hot drink and baking at each session’s end.
-Any sessions you can’t attend can be gifted to a friend or family member to come in your place. Spread the joy!
-Participants are also welcome to join our School WhatsApp group, offering invaluable support and advice betwen monthly sessions.
-We can offer up to three 30% off tickets for unwaged participants – contact us to access these.
OUR COURSE COVERS:
February
Easy Design / Preparing No-Dig Beds / / New Year’s Resolutions / Garden-Related Crafts (if weather poor) eg. Winter Flower Arranging / Make A Flower Pot
March
Early Seed Sowing / Signs of Life / Hand-Made Plant Supports
April
Choosing & Planting Hardworking Herbaceous Plants / Sowing & Planting Edibles
May
Watering How & When / Container Gardening / Annuals vs Perennials
June
Easy Tricks when Time is Tight / Pests & Diseases / Compost Know-How / Summer Colour Wheel
July
Biodiversity in the Garden / Late Summer Sowing / Holiday-Proof Your Garden
August
Harvesting & Picking Know-how / Keep the Colour Coming / Pests & Diseases / Action for Winter Veg
September
Preserving Your Edibles / Reviewing & Rearranging / Autumnal Colour Wheel
October
Harvesting & Storage / Getting Ahead Planning for Next Year / Bulb Know How
November
Fruit Pruning / Prepping Next Season / Winter-proof your Garden
December
Review Your Growing Successes & Failures / Make Natural Festive Decorations / End of Year Quiz
