Welcome

Hello Gardeners,

Welcome to your August update from the garden.

Looking back on July, we were reminded just how unpredictable our growing seasons are becoming. While we were fortunate not to experience the severe dry spells seen in other parts of the country, the lack of rain was certainly enough to sharpen our focus on climate resilience. It has underscored the absolute necessity of water-smart growing—making generous mulching and expanding our rainwater harvesting systems essential garden practices rather than seasonal afterthoughts.

As we drift toward autumn, our daily rhythm is shifting toward harvesting and stocking the storecupboard with the fruits of our summer labour. Alongside preserving, seed saving takes centre stage this month. It is a small but vital practice for us, especially as we observe which varieties show real resilience to shifting weather patterns. This season, we are paying close attention to the plants that stood strong without bolting early, selecting and saving their seed to build natural climate adaptation into next year’s beds.

We have a vibrant line-up of gatherings and hands-on sessions over the coming weeks:

• Saturday, 22nd August: Monthly Members Workshop – Harvest Celebration

• Sunday, 23rd August: Final Summer Garden & Kitchen Workshop with Sian– Celebrating National Heritage Week

• Saturday, 29th August: Monthly Outdoor Meditation with Cal Burrows (Sea Stone Sky)

• Saturday, 5th September: Autumn Wreath Making with our good friend Haley

• Late September: Autumn Preservation & Canning Masterclasses with Erin (full details and dates coming soon!)

So, Grab a cuppa, take a look at the full details below for each upcoming event, and get in touch if you have any questions.

Warmest wishes,

Joanne & Milo

Thank You

August Workshop: The Big Harvest

As late summer reaches its peak, the garden is bursting with abundance! This month, we are gathering for The Big Harvest and exploring the foundational permaculture principle: "Obtain a Yield."

Harvesting isn't just about picking what’s ripe—it’s about knowing how to harvest in a way that encourages ongoing vitality, prolonged production, and sets up next year’s garden for success. Instead of treating harvest time as the end of the line, we’ll be looking at how thoughtful gathering and seed selection can keep your growing space resilient, abundant, and thriving season after season.

In this hands-on workshop, we will explore:

• • Harvesting for Continued Abundance: Practical harvesting techniques that stimulate fresh regrowth and extend your yields well into the autumn.

  • Seed Saving Basics: How to select and save seed from the strongest, most resilient plants perfectly adapted to your specific local growing conditions.

  • Storecupboard Readiness: Simple strategies for bringing in your bounty and preparing your garden for the transition toward autumn.

  Whether you have a bustling plot, a few raised beds, or are looking to get more from your home harvests, this session will provide you with the practical skills to reap what you sow and save for the future.

The Details:

• When: Saturday 22nd August | 11:00am – 2:00pm
• Investment: €15.00
• Refreshments: Warm drinks and refreshments will be served to keep us going!
• Booking: Non-members are incredibly welcome! For our wonderful members, remember to apply your individual discount code at checkout to claim your place.

Summer Garden & Kitchen Workshops

Sunday 23rd August - Preserving our traditions – Heritage Week

Celebrating Heritage Week through seeds and preserves.

Join us for our final summer workshop in this wonderful Kitchen and Garden series. Where we will make some Heritage Apple Chutney & soda bread - Pickles and pickling vinegar using cucumber onions Gardening - A look at heritage crops , seeds and how to save. Will also include a talk on the Heritage seeds including the Gortahork Cabbage and our old apple orchard.

Lunch : Soup , Soda Bread, chutney, pickles and Cake. 

10am-2pm

Location : OURganic Gardens , Gortahork , Co Donegal. F92TV06

Earth Tenders Meditation

We will continue our monthly meditation sessions with Caroline Burrow from Sea,Stone and Sky for some beautiful meditation in our lovely space at OURganic Gardens. Join us on Saturday 29th August and do get in touch if you wish to be added to the WhatsApp group. 

There is no need to book for these sessions and we are looking forward to seeing you there.
You may wish to bring along with you a meditation cushion or yoga mat, and a blanket.

Autumn Door Wreath Workshop

As the season gently turns toward autumn, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the beauty of the harvest in a creative, mindful way! This September , we are teaming up with our good friend Haley to bring the rich textures and colours of the garden into your home with a handcrafted seasonal decoration.

Instead of fresh blooms that fade quickly, we’ll be embracing the natural elegance of the late season—working with materials that hold their beauty over time and bring warmth to your front door right through the autumn months.

In this hands-on workshop, we will explore:

• Natural Wreath Crafting: Techniques for building a balanced, stunning wreath base using a variety of natural dried flowers, seed heads, and ornamental grasses.

• Texture & Colour Harmony: Creative ways to layer contrasting textures and rich autumnal tones to create a piece that feels both organic and eye-catching.

• Mindful Creation: Enjoying a therapeutic, relaxing day of mindful making in good company, turning nature's seasonal bounty into lasting art.

Whether you are a seasoned crafter or trying your hand at wreath making for the first time, this session will guide you step-by-step to create a gorgeous door wreath to take home and treasure.

The Details:

• When: Saturday 5th September | 11:00am – 2:00pm 

• Investment: €60.00 (All materials and dried botanical elements included)

• Refreshments: Warm drinks and refreshments will be served to keep us going!

• Booking: Spaces are limited to ensure plenty of personal guidance, so please book early to secure your spot.

COMING SOON

Looking ahead to October , we are delighted to be hosting two hands-on Water Canning & Home Preservation Masterclasses on Saturday, 3rd October and Saturday, 17th October with the lovely Erin from Erin's Greens.

These sessions will introduce you to the art of water-bath canning, giving you the practical skills and confidence to safely preserve your garden harvests, jams, pickles, and seasonal sauces for the storecupboard all winter long. Full details, pricing, and ticket links will be released in next month's newsletter, but because these spaces are strictly limited and tend to book out fast, we are opening an early interest list. If you would like to secure an early spot or join the waiting list, simply drop us a line using our email link below and we’ll make sure you’re the first to know when booking goes live!

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