HORSHAM ORGANIC GARDENERS SOCIETY

Welcome!

We are the local group of both Garden Organic (Henry Doubleday Research Association) and the Soil Association. We aim to promote organic gardening and environmentally friendly lifestyles. We are a friendly group and have about fifty members who range from complete beginners to experienced organic gardeners and ex-professional growers. There is therefore a wealth of experience and interaction of ideas which all our members are enthusiastic to share.

We produce an e-mail newsletter to keep you up to date. We have regular indoor meetings with speakers and discussion groups as well as farm and garden visits in the summer months. Our talks have ranged from herb growing to climate change with lots of speakers on vegetable and fruit growing. We have visited leading box scheme suppliers, gardens such as Loseley and Wisley, all with expert guides, and toured local organic farms.

Our indoor meetings are normally held on the first Thursday in the month at the Friends Meeting House, Worthing Road, Horsham starting 8.00pm,the programme for Spring 2012 is set out below.

We welcome new members and are also delighted when members wish to become actively involved in the organisation of events and/or serving on the committee. Membership costs £10 per person for the calendar year and there is a special rate for joint membership at the same address of £15. We charge half those amounts for those joining after 31st August. If you are interested in joining or just coming along to a meeting (£2 donation suggested) then please contact our Membership Secretary, Michael Knights by e-mail mandjknights99[at]btinternet.com (Please replace " [at] " with "@". The address is shown here without the "@"sign to reduce spam) or phone 01403 822334.

Forthcoming Meetings - Spring 2012

The programme for Spring 2012 to be held at the Friends Meeting House, Worthing Road, Horsham starting 8.00 pm is as follows:-

Thursday 2nd February: Talk by Dr Alex Penn - A brief introduction to Permaculture

We have heard a lot about Permaculture in recent years but what actually is it and how can we apply it to our gardens and indeed lives? Alex will answer some of these questions and many others in what promises to be a stimulating talk.

Alex is a researcher at the University of Surrey where she works on industrial ecology as well as studying the evolution of co-operation and major transitions in evolution. She is also engaged on a project at the Biosphere 2 in Arizona but still finds time to teach Permaculture for the Brighton Permaculture Trust.

Thursday 1st March: Talk by Dr Stephen Millam - The potato

Steve will give us a comprehensive survey of the history and breeding of the potato and will include some tips on choosing varieties and storage methods. He will also describe some of his experiences working in Peru with the Commonwealth Potato Collection.

Steve moved back to his native West Sussex to take up the position of Horticultural Lecturer at Chichester College's Brinsbury Campus. Prior to that he had spent 20 years as a scientist at the Scottish Crops Research Institute in Dundee and the University of Edinburgh. Steve is the author or co-author of many scientific papers, often dealing with aspects of the potato.

Thursday 5th April: Talk by Andrew Henderson - From selection to consumption, a seeds story

Breeding and raising organic seeds is a specialised process and Andrew will explain the principles and the species available as well as sowing and seed storage. He will also talk about Rijk Zwaan and their relationship with Edwin Tucker.

Andrew started his horticultural career at Pershore College of Horticulture. He has 33 years experience in this field and is currently an Organic Crop Specialist for Dutch vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan. Edwin Tucker of Devon are their distributors in the retail market.

Thursday 3rd May: Talk by Nir Halfon - Planting by the Moon

Working with the natural rhythms can help with growing healthier and stronger plants. As gardeners and farmers we follow the natural rhythms naturally by having to adhere to the seasons. Working with the planetary rhythms is a unique feature to the Biodynamic farming and gardening system, but, does it really work and if so how? This talk will cover theory, practice and results from research done.

Nir Halfon studied Anthroposophy (Rudolf Steiner's philosophy) in Israel and Biodynamics at Emerson College, Forest Row. Nir has an Msc in Energy and Environmental Studies. He has taught gardening and sustainable development in schools and workshops on permaculture, gardening and biodynamics more broadly. His main interest is in the issues of sustainable food and farming.