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:

open day
  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 2012

The following events below are confirmed for 2012 (More to follow).
Sunday 25th 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 14 April - 30 April.Organic Farm School Workshops
Six 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 £75 for all six if booked in advance. Further details and booking, phone or email as detailed below.
Saturday 14 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 21 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 28 April 10.00 - 13.00. "Propagation"
Third Organic Farm School session. Economical ways to make more plants from seeds and plant material, including sowing in cells and modules, layering and french dropping. Some demonstrations and practical activities will be included.
Saturday 5 May 10.00 - 13.00. "Crops"
Fourth 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 12 May 10.00 - 13.00. "Herbs & Wildlife"
Fifth Organic Farm School session. Tips for growing herbs (for kitchen, medicine, liquid feeds etc) attracting beneficial wildlife and companion planting. We will also introduce the topic of organic approaches to pest and disease prevention and control.
Saturday 19 May 10.00 - 13.00. "Fruit"
Sixth 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 3 June. Walled Garden Open Day
Come and explore the past and present of the walled garden. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to show you around and share some of the history of the garden and life around Wortley Hall. Learn about organic cultivation techniques and ideas employed in our management of the site. Entrance free; event coincides with Wortley Hall specialist plant fair, entry fee applicable.The Walled Garden will be open to the public 10am -4pm. Plants and produce on sale.
Sunday 24 June. Nether Edge Farmers' Market
We'll be at this popular market with herb and vegetable plants and produce, 12.00 - 16.00
Saturday 7 July. South Yorkshire Festival. 12.00 - 17.00
The Walled Garden will be open to coincide with the South Yorkshire Festival at Wortley Hall. Have a look at the progress we have made restoring the kitchen garden. Plants and produce on sale. Free entry, small parking charge.
Sunday 26 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.
Sunday 23 September. Nether Edge Farmers' Market
We'll be at this popular market with a range of fresh, local, organic produce, and our seed bank. Runs 12pm - 4pm
Apple and Pear Day. Date TBC in October. 12.00 - 16.00
Our first Apple Day last year was a success, so we're doing it again. We will have a fruit press to make our own juice to try on the day (bring your own spares/windfalls for juicing), apple and pear variety display, help with identifying your mystey trees, tours of our orchard, and hopefuly lots more...
Sunday 2 December. Nether Edge Farmers' Market
We'll be at this popular market with a range of fresh, local, organic produce and seed bank. 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 completed, with many resources available 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 try to update with new images and information throughout the seasons.