Welcome

Hello Gardeners,

Welcome to your September update from the garden.

As the morning mists settle over the hills of Donegal and the days turn crisp, we are truly feeling the turn of the year. August was a generous month here at OURganic Gardens—our beds yielded a rich bounty of fruit and vegetables, our fresh leaves are drying for use in our teas and creams, and our polytunnels are heavy with ripe tomatoes, squash, and herbs.

September is all about transition. We move from the rush of harvesting into the mindful craft of catching and storing that golden summer energy for the winter ahead. It’s the time of year when bubbling pans and buckets enter the kitchen space ensuring nothing goes to waste.

We have an exciting, hands-on line-up of workshops and masterclasses scheduled across autumn focused on connection and preservation, 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

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 26th September 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.

September Monthly Workshop: Preserving the Season

As we pass the autumn equinox, the garden shifts into a rhythm of storing and savouring. This month, our monthly gathering explores the foundational permaculture principle: "Catch and Store Energy" (Part 2).

The energy of the summer sun doesn't have to vanish when the cool weather arrives. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll learn how to lock that seasonal warmth and nutrition into bottles, crocks, and jars to carry us happily through the colder months.

In this hands-on introduction workshop, we will explore:

• Storage & Shelf-Life: Best practices for drying and storing summer fruits and vegetables without spoilage.

• Country Winemaking & Fermentation: Introductory steps to transforming excess orchard fruits and garden botanicals into seasonal wines and brews.

• Permaculture in the Pantry: Simple domestic energy flows that reduce food waste and create winter self-reliance.

The Details:

• When: Saturday, 26th September | 11:00am – 2:00pm

• Location: OURganic Gardens, Gortahork, Co. Donegal (F92TV06)

• Investment: €15.00

• Booking: Everyone is welcome! Members, don't forget to enter your unique discount code at checkout.

Preserving the Harvest Masterclasses

We are delighted to open full bookings for our two-part Preserving the Harvest series with Erin from Erins Greens!

If you’ve ever wanted to master water-bath canning and safe, reliable home preservation techniques, these focused Saturday intensive workshops will give you the practical skills and confidence to fill your larder.

Workshop 1: Sweet Preserves – Jams & Syrups

• Date: Saturday, 3rd October 2026 | 11:00am – 2:00pm

• Focus: Crafting pectin-perfect seasonal jams, fruit spreads, and concentrated cordial syrups using late-summer and orchard harvests.

• Investment: €40.00

Workshop 2: Savoury Preserves – Pickling & Chutneys

• Date: Saturday, 17th October 2026 | 11:00am – 2:00pm

• Focus: Brines, spice blends, and slow-simmered autumnal chutneys, along with safe hot-water bath sealing to ensure pantry longevity.

• Investment: €40.00

Autumn Special Bundle: Book both masterclasses (3rd & 17th October) together for €70.00 (saving €10). Places are strictly limited to keep groups small and hands-on.

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