WHY THIS COURSE

Spring-Summer is a time of intense activity in the garden. The increase in the number of hours of light, together with the increase in temperatures, leads to a rapid progression of plant development. In this period, a lack of attention to plant nutrition or the detection of diseases or pests can put production at risk, both in quantity and quality.

This training is designed to equip the horticulturist with the necessary tools so that the vegetables in this production season grow smoothly and produce abundantly.

COURSE CONTENT AND FORM

Three full days of intensive theory and practice, covering the full range of essential topics including:
1º Day – Seeding and Planting
2º Day – Fertilization
3º Day – Pests and Diseases

NB: Consult the Schedule section for more information on the topics.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

Catarina Joaquim is an Agronomic Engineer with many years of experience: first as a buyer for a major supermarket chain, before she went over to the supply side as a certified organic grower, running a successful market garden with Carlos Simões. Catarina and Carlos Simões are dedicated to the purpose of improving human health and happiness through the cultivation of healthy plants and soils, while helping organic farmers & gardeners to do the same.

FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION

Food and accommodation are not included. We suggest that you bring your own food in pic-nic style.

SCHEDULE

1º Day: Seeding and Planting
Soil preparation and care for quality sowing and/or planting for the different species.

The care in this phase reverts to the faster development of the plants and the best quantity and quality of the final production.

We will talk about temperatures, sun exposure, types of roots and behaviors, reproduction, consortia, rotations, seed pelletization and root inoculation.

2º Day: Plantas – saude e nutrição
– Solid, liquid and foliar fertilization.
– Common and less common fertilizer materials.
– Fertilization for production and health of plants.
– Fertilization to solve problems of diseases and insects.

Most plants have untapped productive potential. A tomato can produce for 2 or 6 months, producing 2 or 20 kg of tomatoes depending on fertilization and watering care; a lettuce can weigh 200 grams or 1 kg; a courgette can produce for 1 or 3 months; a maize plant can have 1 or 2 ears, etc. All this is a reflection of their growing conditions and all this is reflected in the yield taken from the work and investment applied. Let’s illustrate and apply different mixtures of fertilizer materials and specify differences between crops.

3º Day: Pests and Diseases
These derive mainly from soil and nutritional difficulties and, while we continue the practices of regeneration and improvement of soil quality and fertilization, we will have to manage the appearance of pests and diseases.

We will learn to recognise early signs and to solve problems already in place. We will prepare a set of syrups and other recipes to solve problems caused by pests and diseases.