Growing Tender Vegetables

Spend an afternoon learning about some of the more unusual tender vegetable and fruit crops for growing inside and outdoors. Consider where best to grow tender crops within your garden and find out how about the basic maintenance to help them thrive. 

Tender vegetables might not be the most obvious choice in north Devon, where we can have frosts as late as May, and the climate is damp throughout the year. However, with the right care and attention, and through selecting the right varieties, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy growing tender crops. 

Tutor Ian Smith will share his experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to inspire you to try some different tender crops in your garden this year. 

Tutor: Ian Smith has over 20 years horticultural experience in a variety of creative, practical and educational roles, and has a passion for gardening. He has designed a range of gardens for clients, from compact spaces to large country estates. With a background in engineering project management, Ian has studied many aspects of horticulture including achieving the MHort (RHS) in 2015. He is a trustee for the Devon Gardens Trust, and has a keen interest in historic gardens, their research and future development. 
 
Ian is passionate about encouraging gardeners at all levels, including those new to gardening. He previously worked as a horticulture and garden design lecturer for Bicton College, teaching the RHS level 2 and 3 qualifications. Ian has been teaching at RHS Rosemoor for several years and is also a member of the RHS Garden Advisory team, offering advice to garden visitors and at RHS Flower Shows. 
 
Location and arrival information: The workshop will take place mostly in the Peter Buckley Learning Centre, with some time also spent in the garden. Please allow 15 minutes to park in the main visitor car park, enter the garden and get to the Learning Centre.  
 
Catering: Tea / coffee and biscuits will be available in the classroom. You are welcome to visit the onsite catering before or after your workshop. Full details of the available outlets and what they offer are on the RHS Rosemoor Food and Drink page of the RHS website.

For this workshop you will need: 

• Your booking reference number to show to the team at the Garden Entrance.  
• A notebook and pencil to make notes. 
• Clothing suitable for being indoors and outdoors, appropriate to weather on the day.
• ​Closed-toed shoes (not sandals or flipflops). 

Skill Level: Upskiller – I have mastered the basics of gardening, and would like to build on horticultural knowledge and skills.