Wortley Hall Walled Garden is an organically certified kitchen garden just outside Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Since April 2004 Heeley City Farm has undertaken its restoration and use in order to achieve a number of aims:

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  1. To develop social enterprises supplying quality organic food to the local community.
  2. Provide learning opportunities through courses, workshops and volunteering.
  3. Provide educational visits for schools and community groups
  4. Open to the public for events, such as the South Yorkshire Festival and Specialist Plant Fairs run by Wortley Hall, Heritage Days...

Events and courses for 2010

The following events below are confirmed for 2010.
Sunday 21 March. Nether Edge Farmers' Market
We'll be at this popular market with herb and vegetable plants and produce from 12.00 - 16.00
Starting Saturdays 10 April - 1 May. Organic Farm School Workshops
Four half day workshops, as part of the Soil Association's nationwide Organic Farm School. Pragmatically covers the essential knowledge and skills required to successfully grow your own produce using organic methods. Each session costs £15, or £50 for all four if booked in advance. Soil Association members get discount: £12 per session or £38 for all four. Further details and booking, phone or email as detailed below.
Saturday 10 April 10.00 - 13.00. "Soil"
First Organic Farm School session. Introduction to understanding what you need to know about this fundamental topic. Methods of identifying soil types, improving soils with green manures and soil conditioners.
Saturday 17 April 10.00 - 13.00. "Compost"
Second Organic Farm School session. How to make and use compost for healthy and productive crops from your garden. Make your own growing media for raising seedlings and containerised crops.
Saturday 24 April 10.00 - 16.00. "Crops"
Third Organic Farm School session. Explore the range of crops we can grow in our region including cultivation methods, pest and disease prevention, weeding methods and rotations, intercropping and catch-cropping.
Saturday 1 May 10.00 - 13.00. "Fruit"
Fourth and final Organic Farm School session. Look at the range of fruit crops and their suitability to your garden. Planting, cultivation and pruning methods. Pest and disease prevention, and harvesting and storage methods.
Sunday 6 June. Heritage Open Day
Come and celebrate the culmination of an 18 month Heritage Lottery Fund supported exploration into the fascinating history of the walled kitchen garden and its environs, including the oral history project which looked at when the US Army were billeted here and what the locals thought about it! Staff and volunteers will be on hand, guided tours, plus stalls and demonstartions. Entrance free; event coincides with Wortley Hall specialist plant fair, £2 entry.The Walled Garden will be open to the public 10am -4pm. Plants and produce on sale. This coincides with Wortley Hall Specialist Plant Fair. £1.50 entrance.
Sunday 13 June. Nether Edge Farmers' Market
We'll be at this popular market with herb and vegetable plants and produce, 12.00 - 16.00
Sunday 20 June. Open Day for National Gardening Scheme.
The Walled Garden will be open to the public 12 -4pm, plants and produce on sale. Entrance to all Wortley Hall grounds and Avenue Cottage £4.50, proceeds to NGS charities.
Saturday 3 July. South Yorkshire Festival
The Walled Garden will be open to coincide with the SY Festival at Wortley Hall. Have a look at the progress we have made. Plants and produce on sale (hopefully including strawberries). Free entry, small parking charge.
Saturday 21 August. Fruit Growing and Budding Workshop
As part of the Soil Association's Organic Farm School. Learn about planning, planting, pruning and picking your choice of fruits. Afternoon session: bud grafting - create your own organic apple tree. All materials provided. Successful grafts would be collected next year. £50 (£37.50 for Soil Association members) includes organic lunch. Further details and booking, phone or email as per below.
Sunday 29 August. Open Day and Plant Fair
The walled garden will be open to the public 12 - 4pm, plants and produce on sale. Coincides with Wortley Hall Specialist Plant Fair, £2 entry.
Saturday 11 September. All Year Growing and Seed Saving Workshop
Learn how to extend the availability of home grown produce throughout the winter and early spring months. Afternoon: Learn how to collect the seeds a range of useful crops. Help conserve biodiversity, share with friends and save some money. Confront a serious issue having fun threshing! £50 (£37.50 for Soil Association members) includes organic lunch. Further details and booking, phone or email as per contact details below.
Sunday 26 September. Nether Edge Farmers' Market
We'll be at this popular market with a range of fresh, local, organic produce. Runs 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 5 December. Nether Edge Farmers' Market
We'll be at this popular market with a range of fresh, local, organic produce. Runs from 12pm til 4pm

For further details about courses, volunteering and events

You can contact us by email at wortleyorganic@rocketmail.com
or phone: 07768 932613

Our heritage project is underway and online at Wortley Hall Heritage

To find out about Wortley Hall grounds and gardens, go to Gardens of South Yorkshire

To find out about Wortley Hall and its facilities go to Wortley Hall

To find out about food related events and projects around the local area, go to Barnsley Food Network.

To read our blogs about kitchen gardening and our work here, go to The Star GreenScene and check out the sections titled "From The Kitchen Garden".

Have a look through the galleries to see what we've been up to; we hope to update with new images and information throughout the seasons.