The Royal Horticultural Society (rhs.org.uk, 0845 260 5000)
The mission of the UK's leading gardening charity is to advance horticulture, promote good gardening and inspire. Well, it certainly inspires – especially after a day hanging out in one of its glorious gardens dotted about the country, or more specifically, hanging out with its gardeners, who are happy to take questions on all your kitchen garden queries. Better still, sign up for one of its courses, such as How to Garden – Planning Your Edible Plot for Beginners at Wisley, in Surrey. It's a two-hour talk showing you how to lay out your fruit and vegetable garden, including understanding the requirements of different crops. Members £20, non-members £29.90
River Cottage (rivercottage.net, 01297 630302)
Located near Axminster in Dorset River Cottage puts the "S" into self-sufficiency, the "I" into food integrity and the "L" into local, seasonal produce. Courses range from foraging to curing, not to mention the books, DVDs and online courses available, orchestrated by its inspirational founder, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. For the budding kitchen gardener, there is the one-day Urban Kitchen Garden course, showing you how to take best advantage of the smallest spaces, how to create a raised bed and grow in pots and on window sills, and how to tailor your food wish list to suit your situation. £145, including lunch
Sarah Raven (sarahraven.com, 0845 092 0283)
Sarah is an expert on all things that grow. Writer, cook and broadcaster, she makes a passionate teacher, running growing and gardening courses (among other topics) at her farm in East Sussex and around the country. All the seeds, bulbs and plants she sells on her successful website have been trialled at her Perch Hill Farm. Her courses include the day-long Year-Round Vegetables With Sarah, offering recommendations on what to grow and how best to do it, with valuable time-saving techniques and sowing plans to help you deliver year-round vegetables to your table. £150, including lunch
The School of Artisan Food (schoolofartisanfood.org, 01909 532171)
Located in the heart of Sherwood Forest, on the stunning Welbeck Estate, the school includes an artisan bakery with massive wood-fired ovens, a farm shop, cafe and an art gallery stuffed with treasures built up over four centuries by the Cavendish family who still own the estate. In addition to the baking, butchery, chocolate, brewing and dairy courses, there are one-day courses on preserves and pickling – invaluable when it comes to the inevitable glut from your kitchen garden. Learn how to produce your own jams, chutneys and jellies. From £105, including lunch
Thyme at Southrop (thymeatsouthrop.co.uk, 01367 85017)
Located in the beautiful Cotswolds, Thyme promises to go the extra mile. "We want to tell the whole story of food, its journey from source to production through to preparation, and the pleasure of serving, eating and drinking," explains gregarious owner Caryn Hibbert. It offers one-day classes, including butter making and preserving, residential courses, and short courses, such as Sow and Grow: The Productive Garden – a morning spent with Claudio Bincoletto in the vegetable garden, covering everything from soil preparation to harvest. £65
