The Regenerative Garden: Nature-crafts and Biochar with John Gaffney

The Regenerative Garden is a 7 part course consisting of one session a month designed to help you connect with nature, learn sustainable growing techniques, and feel supported in your gardening journey throughout the growing season. Join in for a single session or book the full course at a discounted rate. 

In this Session, support local wildlife through the colder months by crafting natural bird feeders and creating winter habitats for insects, birds, and small mammals. This hands-on workshop blends creativity with conservation, teaching you how to make simple, sustainable structures that encourage biodiversity in your garden. We’ll explore the importance of invertebrates and hibernation, understanding how different species find shelter and food in the winter. You’ll also learn about biochar, a natural soil enhancer that improves soil health while reducing carbon footprint.

What’s Included

Expert tuition from our garden team, hands-on activities, access to OmVed’s gardens, a friendly and welcoming space to learn alongside fellow growers.

Who Can Take Part?

Open to all levels, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener looking to deepen your knowledge, this series is designed for anyone passionate about growing food and working with nature. This event is suitable for adults only.

What to expect 

Each session of this wider series focuses on a key aspect of regenerative gardening, from growing food with minimal resources to composting, seed saving, and supporting wildlife. You'll get hands-on experience, expert guidance, and plenty of inspiration to take home. Expect a mix of practical skills, ecological insights, and interactive discussions, all set within the lush OmVed Gardens.

Meet the Facilitator:

John Gaffney is an experienced horticulturist with nearly 20 years in the field, specializing in garden design and plant care. Having studied in both New Zealand and the UK, he has worked across botanical gardens, private estates, and domestic landscapes. Currently the Head Landscape Gardener at OmVed, John is passionate about sustainable gardening and biodiversity. In his own garden, he grows a variety of produce and nurtures an ever-expanding collection of cacti and succulents.

About OmVed Gardens:

OmVed Gardens is a garden, exhibition, events, and learning space in North London dedicated to exploring the connections between food, ecology and creativity for health and climate resilience. We are on a mission to inspire ecological awareness and action, and deepen our understanding of interconnectedness with the natural world.

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www.omvedgardens.com · @omvedgardens

This session is part of a wider series called the Regenerative Garden. Explore the full programme here.

A note on accessibility: The gardens are set on a hill, featuring steep paths and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. Wheelchair access across the site is currently limited while landscape works are underway. For events, there is drop-off access by car to the Barn main building. If you require wheelchair drop-off, please get in touch with us ahead of time. There is an accessible toilet located inside the Barn.

Subsidised Tickets: A small number of subsidised tickets are available for this event. If cost is a barrier, please write to us at events@omvedgardens.com — we'd love to help you join us. Subject to availability.

Refund Policy:Tickets are non-refundable. In cases where an event is sold out and a waiting list exists for the session, a credit voucher may be issued. Please write to us for any cancellation inquiries at least 24 hours before the event starts.

In case of extreme weather, and the event goes ahead, we will offer a credit note for future events. If we have to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, we will refund your ticket.