A HERITAGE gardener is aiming to pass on her knowledge to a new generation of aspiring gardeners with a series of starter classes.
During the past couple of years, the number of green-fingered folk in Teesdale has grown exponentially thanks to gardening classes at the Hub in Barnard Castle run by Suzanne Thomas.
As well as inspiring youngsters to learn more about everything horticultural, she has run gentle gardening sessions, aimed at older folk as well.
Those fully-funded sessions proved to be so popular the waiting list had a waiting list.
In a series of three seed starter sessions, beginning on Wednesday, March 15, at 6pm, Ms Thomas will provide all the tools necessary to get going in the garden, no matter what size plot.
She said: “If you can plant a seed you can grow a plant and if you can grow a plant, you’ll have the skills to grow your own food.
“It is time to fill in the information gap. When I stated to do this class [at the Hub], it was funded by the National Lottery with the aim of people being able to access gardening promoting well-being.
“We didn’t think we would fill the spaces, but it was so popular we had waiting lists.”
“Volunteering as I did to grow my plants, it opened up doors to me and I didn’t think it would.
“I didn’t think I could teach lessons commercially but there is the interest.”
A heritage gardener celebrates native species of plants and gardens of the past.
Ms Thomas added: “When we started teaching there was no cost-of-living crisis but now the reasons for doing the course are for financial reasons as well as well-being.”
All seeds, trays and growing mediums are included in the session fee of £8 (£24 for the full course).
She added: “A bag of lettuce out of the supermarket costs about £1.20 the same as a packet of lettuce seeds.
“The difference is you will reap more than just one lettuce and as anyone who grows their own vegetables knows the taste and satisfaction is priceless.”
Find out more information on the seed starter gardening course at the TCR Hub, or to book a place, visit https://
bit.ly/3INrvcW or ring 01833 690150.
