Grow Your Own Food: Online Academy

Want to grow your own food but not sure where to get started? Or perhaps you’re already a home gardener or urban farmer, but you’re eager to learn more from the Rooftop Republic experts?

Introducing Rooftop Republic’s new programme - the Grow Your Own Food: Online Academy!

This is a series of online webinars, each covering different topics about growing your own food. You can join in for just one class of a topic of your choice, or you can join for as many classes as you like!

Every live class is hosted by a Rooftop Republic expert so you can ask any questions you may have. And each class only costs HKD$140, or you can join all classes for just HKD$600 (a $100 discount!).

Check out our FAQs here.

For any enquiries, please email - academy@rooftoprepublic.com

Our most recent series of the Grow Your Own Food: Online Academy, finished in October 2020! Stay tuned in early 2021 when registration for the next series opens. Until then, make sure you are signed up for our newsletter so you know when registration opens!

Photo Credit: Matthieu Millet

Sign Up for Upcoming Classes

Introduction to Urban Agriculture

(FREE Class!)

Date: Saturday, 12 September 2020
Time: 10am-11:30am HKT
Location: Online interactive webinar
Cost: FREE!

What will you learn?

What are urban agriculture’s benefits and challenges
Overview of agriculture in Hong Kong
Video tour of an urban farm in Hong Kong
Tutorial on how to choose the right planters for home gardening
Learn some tips to start your own home garden

Registration is now closed for "Introduction for Urban Agriculture"

Principles of Organic Farming

Date: Saturday, 19 September 2020
Time: 10am-11:30am HKT
Location: Online interactive webinar
Cost: HKD$140

What will you learn?

What is organic farming and how is organic farming carried out in practice
The problems with chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides, and genetic modification
Fundamentals of plant botany, including plant structure, photosynthesis, and factors affecting plant growth
How to plan your vegetable cultivation, taking into consideration weather, environment, and the Hong Kong recommended growing calendar

Registration for this class is now closed

Pest, Weed, and Disease Control

Date: Saturday, 24 October 2020
Time: 10am-11:30am HKT
Location: Online interactive webinar
Cost: HKD$140

What will you learn?

Principles and advice of pest, disease, and weed control
Common types of vegetable pests and diseases in Hong Kong
Common types of weeds in Hong Kong
How to make your own safe and organic pesticides at home

Registration for this class is now closed.

Fertilization Management

Date: Saturday, 10 October 2020
Time: 10am-11:30am HKT
Location: Online interactive webinar
Cost: HKD$140

What will you learn?

What nutrients help plants to grow
Different types of organic fertilizers
Why chemical fertilizers can be harmful for vegetables
How to make your own effective organic fertilizers at home and apply them to your garden

Registration for this class is now closed.

Soil Management

Date: Saturday, 26 September 2020
Time: 10am-11:30am HKT
Location: Online interactive webinar
Cost: HKD$140

What will you learn?

What are the properties and functions of soil
How to measure soil pH and health
What is the best type of soil for urban farming
How to maintain the health of your soil

Registration for this class is now closed.

Compost Management

Date: Saturday, 17 October 2020
Time: 10am-11:30am HKT
Location: Online interactive webinar
Cost: HKD$140

What will you learn?

What is composting and why should we compost
How to start composting at home: what equipment you need, what materials and ingredients are best for composting and what you should avoid
How to measure your compost maturity and effectiveness
Compost application and usage

Registration for this class is now closed.

Join all Classes!

Date: 12 September - 24 October 2020
Time: 10am-11:30am HKT
Location: Online interactive webinar
Cost: HKD$600 (purchasing indivdually would otherwise cost $700)

Purchase this package to attend all classes, and get a $100 discount!

Registration for this course is now closed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What level of farming/gardening knowledge do I need for these classes?

A: We’ve created the Grow Your Own Food online classes so that they are suitable for beginners and intermediate urban farmers. We’ll include tips on how to start your own garden, or how to enhance your existing garden.

Q: Can I just join one class / Will I miss anything if I don’t join one of the earlier classes?

A: You can join for as few or as many classes as you like! The classes are not held in any linear order, so you don’t have to worry about missing anything in a previous class as each week will cover a completely different topic.

Q: How will the classes be held and what is the structure of each class?

A: In the age of social distancing, we will be holding these classes over online webinars. On the day of the webinar, we’ll send you a link to the online webinar session. Our instructors will walk through a presentation as well as show practical demonstrations for the farming methods we cover in each course. We’ll always leave time in each class to answer any questions you may have.

Q: Who is Rooftop Republic?

A: Rooftop Republic is a social enterprise based in Hong Kong. We work to create more sustainable cities and communities powered by urban farming. Since 2015, we’ve built and managed 65 urban farms, transforming under-utilised areas into vibrant natural spaces, creating sources of nutritious organic food, and engaging and empowering communities to lead a sustainable lifestyle.

Q: Who are the instructors?

A: The instructors for the Grow Your Own Food Academy are our in-house Rooftop Republic experts and experienced organic farmers. We’ll ensure that you’ll have a chance in every class to ask questions to the instructors.

Q: When is the registration deadline for each class?

A: Registration will close at 5pm the evening before each class.

Q: I have another question that isn’t on this list.

A: Feel free to reach out to us at academy@rooftoprepublic.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Looking forward to hearing from you!

FAQ

Terms and Conditions

If you decide to withdraw 7 or more days prior to the event date, Rooftop Republic Urban Farming will retain a 20% administration fee.
If you decide to withdraw less than 7 days prior to the event date, Rooftop Republic Urban Farming will retain 100% of the event fee.
Rooftop Republic Urban Farming reserves the right to cancel events.
If we cancel the event you will be entitled to a 100% refund, or you may choose to transfer to another date, subject to availability.
Rooftop Republic Urban Farming reserves the ownership and the right to publish photos and videos taken at the event, which may include participants, without prior permission, unless notified in advance of the event.