Learn Sustainable Gardening & Natural Beekeeping in County Laois

Dunmore Country School — Sustainable Gardening & Natural Beekeeping in Durrow

Practical gardening courses in County Laois

Dunmore Country School in Durrow, County Laois, offers a focused programme of hands-on gardening and beekeeping experiences designed for people who want practical skills and sustainable results. The school hosts in-garden courses and an online monthly series that teach no-dig methods, pruning, seasonal planning and low-intervention beekeeping using the Warré hive.

Key experiences

• Kitchen Garden Visit — An immersive tour of the kitchen garden where Tanguy shares techniques for soil care, crop selection and seasonal maintenance. Ideal for gardeners looking for inspiration and practical tips.
• Natural Beekeeping Course — A course centred on the Warré hive and natural beekeeping principles for native Irish honey bees, emphasising minimal intervention and pollinator health.
• Autumn Course — Hands-on preparation for the cooler months, covering tasks and strategies to protect and plan productive beds for the next season.
• Pruning Course — Workshops on pruning, training and maintaining fruit trees and bushes, with seasonal guidance for apples, grapes, roses and tomatoes.
• Grow Sustainably Your Own Food — Practical no-dig gardening courses teaching mulching, coppicing, pollarding and other low-maintenance methods.
• Online Month to month stroll in the garden — A subscription-style monthly online session with seasonal advice, biodiversity tips and simple recipes using garden harvests.

What learners gain

Dunmore Country School focuses on actionable skills and ecological approaches to food growing and pollinator stewardship. Participants leave with:

• Clear, repeatable techniques for no-dig gardening and soil improvement
• Practical pruning and fruit-tree training skills
• An introduction to natural beekeeping and the Warré hive
• Seasonal maintenance plans for autumn and winter
• Ideas for using garden produce in simple recipes

Why choose courses in Durrow, County Laois

Courses take place in a working kitchen garden environment, giving direct access to soil, plantings and beehives. Instruction emphasises real-world application, suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners who want to adopt sustainable methods. The mix of in-person workshops and online monthly strolls provides ongoing learning and seasonal support.

Booking and preparation

Course listings include dates and practical details. Attendees are encouraged to prepare with appropriate outdoor clothing and a willingness to work hands-on in a garden setting. Workshops blend demonstration and participant activity to maximise learning.

Sustainable methods featured

• No-dig gardening to enhance soil structure and reduce weeding
• Mulching, coppicing and pollarding as low-impact maintenance techniques
• Minimal intervention beekeeping using the Warré hive to support native bee health

Learn, practice, and keep growing

Dunmore Country School provides accessible, experience-based courses in sustainable gardening and natural beekeeping. Whether attending a single Kitchen Garden Visit, joining a pruning workshop, embracing the Autumn course, or subscribing to the online monthly stroll, the focus remains on building practical skills that support long-term garden health and productive, ecological growing in County Laois.