discover Gardening classes in gold coast

Frequently Asked Questions

• What types of permaculture and gardening courses are available?

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  Our course offerings cover a broad range of topics including fruit tree pruning (both summer and winter), beekeeping (beginner through to queen rearing), composting and worm farming, indigenous plant gardening, sustainable gardening fundamentals, and specialty topics like soil health, water management, and pest management. We offer both in-person workshops and online courses. For example, the Complete Urban Farmer course combines 14 sessions covering permaculture principles, chook care, bee keeping, propagating and seed saving. Courses are led by experienced horticulturists and specialists with backgrounds ranging from 20+ years to over 30 years of industry experience.

• Do courses include materials and resources?

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  Many courses include materials as part of the workshop fee. For instance, the Beekeeping Workshop includes a wooden beehive frame with beeswax foundation inserted during the workshop, plus a $5 discount on the recommended 'Bee AgSkills' book. Cheesemaking workshops include a 20% discount on cheese-making equipment purchased on the day. Terrarium workshops include all soil, gravel, and plants needed. The Complete Urban Farmer course includes a copy of Justin Calverley's 'The Urban Farmer' book as part of the course fee. Additionally, discounted worm farms and compost bins are available for purchase on the day for relevant workshops.

• What is the format of these courses—are they hands-on or theoretical?

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  Courses combine both theory and practical components. For example, the Winter Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop includes theory on why and what to prune, combined with demonstrations in the orchard. The Beekeeping Workshop covers hive management theory with live bees and honeycomb in a secure exhibition cabinet. Cheesemaking workshops explain chemical reactions taking place while participants make cheese from scratch and taste the results. The Setting up a Worm Farm workshop covers both theory and practice in a 1.5-hour format, with outdoor viewing of on-site worm farms if weather permits. Online courses also include interactive elements with time for questions.

• Are there limits on class sizes?

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  Yes, several courses maintain limited participant numbers to ensure quality instruction. The Beekeeping Workshop is limited to 8 participants to maintain an informal, interactive format. The Fungus Amongst Us walking workshop and other specialized sessions note that places are limited. This smaller class size approach allows for personalized attention and hands-on engagement, particularly in practical workshops where individual guidance is important.

• Can I attend courses online or must I attend in person?

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  We offer both options. Online courses include Setting up a Worm Farm (1 hour), Home Composting for Beginners (interactive format with Zoom link emailed prior to booking), Growing Native Food Plants, Wildflower Gardens—Attracting Native Insects, Fruit Trees: Setting Them Up for Longterm Success, Designing Resilient Gardens, and the Importance of Native Grasses in Your Garden. Online participants receive a Zoom link in advance and can access recordings for three days following some sessions if they cannot attend live. In-person workshops are held at Edendale Farm and other venues, often including outdoor components and hands-on practice.

• What topics can help with specific gardening challenges like pests or poor soil?

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  For pest management, the Fruit Fly Prevention workshop covers integrated pest management techniques including traps, baiting, netting, and hygiene practices targeting the Queensland Fruit Fly lifecycle. The Insects—Their Importance & Value in your Garden session addresses how to avoid plant damage without killing beneficial insects. For soil issues, the Soil Health Affects Pests and Produce Nutrition workshop explains how increasing humus levels from the average 1.5% to the recommended 5% can improve water retention by 17 litres per square metre, reduce pest frequency, and increase nutrient density in produce. The Establishing a Compost That Works and Setting up a Worm Farm courses address waste reduction and soil improvement through organic matter production.