Vital Roots Garden is offering two courses next weekend: Bountiful Seed Saving, Saturday 31 July; and Pickle the Garden, Sunday 1 August. Both are with the resident gardeners and cooks: Ipar Hughes and Katkin Tremayne. Details of both courses are below. Email rastakitchen@gmail.com for more details or to reserve a place.

Bountiful Seed Saving. When you save your own seed you always have plenty spare: we’ll be sharing some of our seed to get you started. Saving your own seed ensures your crops adapt to your growing conditions and over time will result in stronger plants and a better harvest. We will take you through the basics, from choosing a suitable plant to optimal storage conditions. See the seeds being grown in the garden, compare bought seed crops and saved seed crops, have a go at winnowing and cleaning seeds, specialist  techniques for seed extraction, understand the importance of correct storage.Included is a tea and (gluten free) cake break. We will have the marquee up for shade. £35 per person payable in advance. Saturday 31 July, 2 to 5.30. All takes place in the lovely Vital Roots Garden in Netherbury.

Pickle the Garden. Fermented foods are a great way to store produce without the freezer and great for dealing with food gluts. They have fantastic health benefits too, great for your gut and boosting the human system. Learn to make three delicious fermented pickles from seasonal produce. We’ll be making sauerkraut, kimchi and salt pickled seasonal vegetables. There will be a chance to try various ready-made ferments, pick produce fresh from the garden and you’ll be taking home a small sample of what we have made. Included is a tea and (gluten free) cake break. We will have the marquee up for shade. £35 per person payable in advance. Sunday 1 August, 2 to 5.30. It all takes place in the lovely Vital Roots Garden in Netherbury.