First we cut the apples in quarters. Then they go into the scratter. Then into the press. Then we have amazing fresh apple juice to enjoy.
We have all the equipment – maybe you have all the apples?
We have sessions where you can book the equipment in our Outdoor Kitchen and come along and use it to make your apple juice. We support you with instruction.
What you need:
lots of apples. About 3 carrier bags full is the minimum to make it worthwhile.
clean containers to put the juice in. If you don’t have glass bottles with lids, how about milk cartons, fizzy drink bottles.
We will show you how to clean up afterward. There is no charge for hire, but we would appreciated whatever you can afford to support the development of the Outdoor Kitchen.
The juice needs to be enjoyed in a few days – it starts to ferment quite quickly. Or you can freeze it for a few months. Or you can bottle it and heat it to 75 degrees C for 25 mins – then it will last in the bottle for about a year.
DATES for 2023 Please phone the shop during opening hours to book a slot:
Next course is Saturday 9 December. Thinking of coming? Please fill out our online form to reserve a space.
Permaculture is a powerful set of ideas that we have used to help us establish the farm. Would you like to know more about it? Come and find out in our introductory workshop that sets a foundation for your ongoing learning and application of permaculture principles.
The workshop will be led by Richard Pitt, Farm Manager. Using the farm itself as a story-book I will mix story-telling with activities designed to allow participants to relate the Aldermoor story to their own.
I will be explaining how permaculture principles have informed our practices. I include consideration of our regrets – the things along the way we wish we’d done (or not done!).
I will offer suggestions for answers to the following:
What is permaculture?
How can it be useful in my garden?
How can it be useful in my life?
I will highlight some favourite aspects of permaculture and share knowledge that we have found helpful at Aldermoor. I will also make a bit of time for attendees to reflect on what to take away and put into practice.
After the workshop you are invited to stay for a bring and share lunch, allowing time for further conversations.
Event details
Venue: Aldermoor Community Farm, Aldermoor Road, Southampton, SO16 5NN [we will be in our compost-heated polytunnel!!] Date: Saturday 9 December 2023 Time: 09:30 – 12:30 Speaker: Richard Pitt (Farm Manager) Capacity: 10 people. Please fill out our online form to reserve a space. Cost: It is £15 per person. Payable on the day by cash or card.
We had a great time at the permaculture course and felt inspired when we left so thank you again.
Thank you so much for running the permaculture workshop I really enjoyed it. It was lovely to spend that time with you and learning about the farm and your own journey, very informative and great to get some reference material too.
I love what you and your community have done with Aldermoor it is inspiring, and sharing how you achieved it is very generous and helping achieve a better view on the way I use my garden.
About the farm
Aldermoor Community Farm was started in 2014 by Richard Pitt and friends, who set up a cooperative to begin restoring an overgrown acre of land into a sustainable and productive small holding. Over the years since then the farm has become an example of how to grow veg without harmful chemicals, with other features like chickens, ducks, compost making and off-grid toilets. Now a project of Southampton charity Alder Trust, the farm is well established with a community of volunteers working the land and a community of customers frequenting the farm shop which sells a range of produce and homewares.
On Saturday 13 May 2023 we have our Grow Your Own open day. This is a free event with plenty of advice on how to grow your own vegetables at home.
We will have workshops showing how to set up a veg patch from scratch and a compost surgery – come with your questions, or just see how we do it.
There are fun things to do, games to play. Our coffee shop will be open and there will be a wide variety of plants to purchase, including tomatoes and chillies.
We had a great time singing festive songs round the bonfire on Friday 20 December 2019 with our friends from Living Lordswood Community Choir.
This event has become our annual tradition with Living Lordswood Community Choir. We had been very nervous about all the rain that had been going on during the week, but we had a great evening for it – you could even look up and see some stars!!
After starting with hot drinks and cakes (that people had brought with them), we gathered round the fire and Living Lordswood lead the singing.
At 7.45pm the choir went off to do more singing around the local houses. Some of us stayed by the fire for a bit. A lovely way to celebrate the end of the year and all we have done on the farm together.
