Taught by legendary horticultural expert Jim Cronin, this QQI Level 5 course will equip participants with the knowledge and work methods of how to set up, cultivate and finance a plot, polytunnel, or field for supplying a farmer’s market, restaurant or a box scheme with vegetables and herbs throughout the year.

The course follows the growing season, and is open to complete beginners as well as more experienced gardeners, growers, and farmers with an interest in market gardening.

Dates & Time:
Every second Wednesday from January 29th to September 24th inclusive. 10.00am – 4.00pm each day.

The dates are as follows:

• 29th January
• 12th / 26th February
• 12th / 26th March
• 9th / 23rd April
• 7th / 21st May
• 4th / 18th June
• 2nd / 16th / 30th July
• 13th / 27th August
• 10th / 24th September

Accreditation:
The course in 2025 will be at QQI Level 5 (Fruit & Vegetable Production – QQI Code 5N2552).

Trainer:

• Jim Cronin

Venue:

• Bridgetown, Killaloe, Co Clare, V94 EH50

Cost:

• €750 when you book through NOTS

Full price of the course is €1,100 – less NOTS funding which leaves the cost of the course at €750 payable to NOTS.

Course Content / Modules:

• Organic Principles & Horticultural Principles; Composting; Crop calendar; Crop rotation; Cultural details for each crop; Field crops; Green Manures; Harvesting; Herbs; Horticultural machinery & hand tools; Marketing & Pricing; Pest and disease control using organic methods; Plant raising; Planting techniques; Product sources; Propagation; Protected cropping; Soil fertility and cultivation; Sourcing seeds & selecting varieties; Sowing / Sowing plan