Growing Food at Home

Growing Food at Home 

The Planetary Healing Centre in partnership with Free Company

Venue: Free Company, Cockdurno Farm, Balerno, EH14 7HZ

Dates on Thursdays: 26 Nov, 4 Feb, 18 Feb, 4 Mar

Time: Morning 10am to 1pm 

Facilitator: Joel Delahunty from Free Company

Funder: ECCAN Greenlight

Note: Places are limited to 16 participants. For the best experience, we are looking for participants who can commit to the full series of 4 sessions. 

Please book all sessions ahead to ensure your place is reserved.

Wear warm clothes, and come prepared for all weather. You're welcome to bring a packed lunch with you if you wish. Hot tea will be provided.

Growing Food at Home

The Planetary Healing Centre is excited to relaunch this project in partnership with The Free Company funded by the Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN) Greenlight. 

This project is for participants to gather, get to know one another, learn and plan what we will grow this season and begin to think about growing for the coming year at home. 

We’ll explore soil health, composting, seed planning, growing and trees planting in a supported environment. The programme will support you to grow on windowsills, balconies, small gardens, allotments, bags, boxes, pots and polytunnels, etc. Lets get creative together!

All levels welcome; no prior experience needed.

What to Expect:

• Welcome circle & introductions
• Interactive workshop: composting, soil preparation, trees planting, etc.
• Grow‑plan mapping & support
• Refreshment, sharing, reflection, journaling
• Your questions about growing food answered

About Joel and the Free Company

Joel is head grower at the Free Company, where he focuses on agroecological market gardening: farming alongside nature without the use of any chemicals. The Free Company are leaders in sustainable farming, food growing and food education. They bring deep expertise in growing food generatively and running practical workshops in a farm setting.

Programme

26 November 2026 – Meeting 1: 

 Introduction to growing principles and tour of the farm

• Connect with seasonal cycles and the earth
• On-site learning (Free Company)
• Intention Setting: What do we hope to grow at home

4 February 2027 – Meeting 2: 

Assessing site/tools/compost

• Learn about soil health, composting basics
• Composting ideas
• Begin preparing the soil
• Crop/plant selection - Work through 10 different varieties and different growing and harvest consideration.
• Deepen group connection, support and encouragement

18 February 2027 – Meeting 3: 

Tree planting and Q&A (weather dependent)

• Trees planting; learning how to plant and care for trees
• Build confidence for the spring growing season
• Peer support and troubleshooting
• Group check-in and journaling

4 March 2027 – Meeting 4: 

Sowing seeds, crop planning, harvesting, and plant care

• Potting demo + how to prepare trays
• Begin early sowings indoors, sow seeds in trays/pots 
• Sow spring greens, onion sets, or salad
• Sow additional spring crops
• Gathering Goals: Reflect and celebrate seasonal rhythms

Ongoing throughout the programme

• WhatsApp group for peer support and updates
• Sessional worker check-ins to help troubleshoot, encourage and hear your feedback and stories
• Creative documentation: journaling, photos and short videos
• Free transport from Balerno bus stop to the Free Company
• Accessible and inclusive; free to participants with optional donations

Outcomes

• Support climate action at home through small-scale growing
• Improve mental health and wellbeing through connecting with nature
• Build resilience and skills among people impacted by poverty, trauma or isolation
• Foster community connection and reduce social isolation
• Inspire peer-led momentum for continued food growing

Important info

Note: Each date needs to be booked separately. For comprehensive learning, we recommend you book your place for the whole project.

Car lift share: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1146040586448542

Questions? If you have any questions before or on the day, please text 07593582607. 

For any other support or concerns, contact our office at holistic@planetary-healing.org or text 07593582607

Donations: Our work is made possible by our funders, supporting access for those facing financial hardship and wellbeing challenges. If that's you, please book a FREE space. If you are someone who can contribute, it helps us cover core costs that are usually not supported by funders. Cash donations on the day are also welcome.

Where: Meet 15 minutes before the event starts at Free Company, Cockdurno Farm, Balerno, EH14 7HZ. 

By bus: Bus 44 / 44A: at the village, get off at the third bus stop after the roundabout. Enter Cockburnhill Road and walk for approximately 10 minutes, then turn left following the sign for Free Company. Google Maps will take you there if you use the postcode.

Parking: Free parking on site.

Email reminder: You will get an email reminder 3 days before your event. Please add holistic@planetary-healing.org to your address book or safe senders list, and check your spam folder, as our emails sometimes end up there.

Pronouns: On arrival, please let us know your preferred pronouns (e.g. he/him, she/her, they/them) and the name you would like us to use.

Cancellation policy: Space is limited, so if you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone on the waiting list. Due to the amount of work involved, donations are non-refundable.

Photos: Occasionally we take group pictures for promotions, reports, funders, newsletters and social media. If you would prefer not to be in the picture, please tell the PHC project worker on arrival.