Saving the planet one mouthful at a time

The Beanstalk Project

The Beanstalk Project offers families with children a fun way to learn how to grow food, through:
• Advice on growing food at home, on an allotment or elsewhere.
• Free seeds with many of our activities.
• Family Fun Food growing sessions – fun hands-on learning events held around the Borough during school holidays.

Future dates are on our calendar or you can join our e-newsletter for regular information.

Mother and toddlers groups, schools and other organised groups (eg Rainbows, Brownies, Beavers etc) can also book a dedicated Beanstalk session, or course of sessions, on our Community Allotment. Please email beanstalk@ecolocal.org.uk for information and prices.

FREE Family Fun Activity – Bug Hunt – Thurs 30th May – 10.30am -12pm

bug hunt

Which insects are good for your garden and which don’t you want? Go on a bug hunt Find out how to defend your plants from Garden Invaders Plus pea planting! FREE for families with children aged 4+. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that places are limited so we can only [...]

FREE Family Fun Activity – Sunday 19th May 1.30-3pm

Picture1

• Have fun planting onions and carrots! • Play the Good Plant Neighbours game. • Find out what you can plant in your garden and learn all about ‘companion’ planting. FREE for families with children aged 4+. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that places are limited so we can only [...]

Easter Holiday Activities – Seeds Glorious Seeds

Come along to a FREE Beanstalk Project activity this Easter Holiday.  You’ll learn all about different veggie plant families and make a plant family chart to take home. Join in the fun, planting potatoes or seeds, plus we’ll give you some free onion ‘sets’ to take home to plant in your garden or in pots. [...]

Permaculture – Sunday 26th May 2013

Hands Holding a Seedling and Soil

An introduction workshop covering: Ethics and principles Design Examples of Permaculture An observation exercise A practical exercise and walk An overview of the Permaculture network and how to find out more. Permaculture uses design principles to develop integrated systems that provide for our needs of food, shelter, energy and community in ways that are healthy [...]

Food For Free: Foraging – Sunday 16th June 2013

Foraging

Learn how to make the most of the free food in public spaces. Run by a wild food practitioner, this workshop includes an foraging walk looking for edible and useful plants. This workshop includes making and eating lunch. This course is £35 Sunday 16th June 2013 11am-2pm Held at Sutton Ecology Centre in Carshalton. To [...]

Introduction to Food Growing – Sunday 7th July 2013

Introduction to Food Growing web

This courses looks at all the important aspects to consider when growing food, including: – Improving the fertility of your soil – Companion planting – Growing without chemicals and pesticides – Dealing with pests and weeds – Composting – Growing fresh delicious Produce All welcome and no experience needed. This course is only £35 Sunday [...]

Keeping Chickens – Saturday 10th August 2013

chickens

This introduction workshop will cover the principles of keeping chickens in an urban environment. You will gain the knowledge you need to understand what keeping chickens entails, including what to look for when buying your hens, choosing a suitable garden spot for your chickens, daily maintenance, breeds and a chance hold chickens. All welcome and [...]

Storing and Preserving – Saturday 11th September 2013

Jam

Tired of the same strawberry jam or mango chutney? Have you ever wanted to have a go at making your own preserves but never known quite how to start? Or perhaps you’ve had a go but want to improve your skills? This one day workshop will give you an introduction into making jams, jellies, chutney [...]

New Learn to Cook Courses

Potato Gratin

We will be offering 2 new Learn to Cook courses to residents in the Hackbridge area.  Participants are taught many healthy, nutritious and affordable meal ideas over a three week period.  The dates and venues will be announced later in the year. If you are interested in attended one of our courses, please e-mail food@ecolocal.org.uk [...]

Smashing Pumpkins: Monday 29th October

Pumpkin

Smashing Pumpkins: Half Term Activity Halloween is around the corner, come down to the community allotment to help dig, plant, weed and harvest and carve your own pumpkin. Monday 29th October from 1.00 – 3.00pm. Children are welcome so long as they are looked after by a responsible adult. This session is FREE but advance [...]