Growing Together - Home Composting and Soil Life - Nature Workshops for the Whole Family

Discover the web of life, learn how to build healthy soil and compost systems at home.

Includes soil testing, compost building, and an introduction to permaculture principles.

Home Composting and Soil Life

Event Date:

Saturday 8th Nov 1pm - 3.30pm 

We'll meet at 298 Whitemans Valley Road.

This event is part of a 2 part series. The other event is happening on Saturday 8th November 1PM - 3PM, with a focus on plant communities and companion planting. Sign up for that event separately here.

Who it’s for:

Families with kids (ages 5+)

Educators, grandparents, and curious growers

Anyone wanting to connect with nature, food, and community

What You’ll Explore:

• Introductions to each other and permaculture
• Patterns in nature
• How plants support each other
• Planning your own guild

• Easy and effective ways to implement strategies at home

Expected Outcomes

For Adults

By the end of the Plant Communities & Companion Planting workshop, participants will understand how plants work together to create balanced, resilient ecosystems and how to apply those principles at home. Adults will explore permaculture design ideas such as pattern recognition, beneficial plant groupings (guilds), and seasonal planning. You'll leave with practical tools and inspiration to grow your own plant communities, whether in a garden bed, container, or backyard, using nature as your guide.

For Children

Children will leave the workshop with a playful and intuitive understanding of how plants support one another, just like friends or family. Through hands-on activities, nature observation, stories, and creative expression, tamariki will explore the hidden relationships in the garden and begin to see the patterns of nature all around them. They'll feel empowered as little garden designers, imagining and planning their own "plant friends."

Gear List 

Personal Essentials

• Water bottle
• Snack and lunch (we’ll have a short break)
• Weather-appropriate clothing (layers for warmth)
• Rain gear – waterproof jacket, gumboots or sturdy shoes
• Sun protection – sunhat, sunscreen
• Change of clothes (optional but useful, especially for younger tamariki)

For Outdoor Learning

• Notebook and pen or pencil
• Clipboard (recommended for adults) 

This course is all about learning together, kids, parents, grandparents, getting our hands in the soil and connecting with the whenua and having fun! It’s a chance to slow down, notice nature’s rhythms, and explore how we can live more in tune with the land and each other. Through simple, hands-on permaculture practices, we start growing a more connected and caring way of life.

“Modeling an awe and love for nature helps children to express their own appreciation and awe for the natural world.”
– David Sobel

About the Facilitator 

Halina Horn is a passionate educator, grower, and community weaver who believes that learning is most powerful when it’s shared across generations and grounded in the natural world. With a background in permaculture, nature-based education, and rites of passage work, Halina brings a warm, playful, and deeply thoughtful presence to her teaching. She created Growing Together to offer families and curious minds a space to reconnect with the whenua, learn hands-on skills, and explore what it really means to live in harmony with nature.

Course Development 

This course has been designed with Guidance of Robina McCurdy and Children in Permaculture Manual (CiP). The CiP outlines 6 Key Stages based on the Permaculture Design Course written by Permaculture Co-Founder Bill Mollison. 

There is so much to learn! 

More...

We understand cost can be a barrier to some. Please get in touch to discuss options if this is true for you - Halina@mangaroa.org 

Please note, this event will only run with a minimum of 6 signups to make it viable. Maximum participants is 20, so tickets are subject to availability.