Sustainable Container Gardening Course 2026

5-week course on growing vegetables and herbs in containers. For people with balconies, patios, or small yards who want to start but don't know where to begin.
We cover containers and soil, what to plant when, how to care for plants in pots, and how to keep a container garden going season after season. Each week builds on the last. Each session is part theory, part hands-on practice, with a shared meal.
The course covers what grows well in Amsterdam's climate and how to troubleshoot when things go wrong.
No experience needed

​Start your garden, step by step

WHAT IS COVERED IN THE COURSE
Basic plant knowledge:  Plant families, seasonal rhythms, crop rotation, companion planting, crop spacing, annuals and perennials.
Seeds and planting: Seed starting, transplanting, direct sowing, caring for young plants.
Garden planning: How to choose crops and design your container garden layout for your specific spaces.
Containers and setup: Evaluating your space, selecting containers (self-watering pots, ceramics, raised beds, DIY options), finding low-cost materials.
Watering: Efficient watering techniques for containers (they dry out faster than ground soil).
Soil and compost: Understanding healthy soil in containers, how to adapt composting to small spaces (Bokashi, worm bins).

What We Provide

  • Seasonal seedlings and seeds to get you started
  • A Bokashi bin to borrow and try during the course
  • A container gardening book to borrow as a shared reference

How the Course Works

5 weeks, once a week
Each session is 3.5 hours (see dates below).
Shared meal and connection
Every session includes a plant-based meal together. Time to slow down, connect, and chat about what's happening in your gardens.
Theory, practice, and learning together
Each session includes a theory part and hands-on practice. You implement what you learn in your own garden between sessions. You learn from and with others in the course.

Course details

Location: Kaskantine, Handbalstraat 1, 1062 XA Amsterdam
Language: English 
Course Size: Limited to a maximum of 15 participants*
Costs: 325,- Euros 

How registration works:

To register, we ask for a 10% deposit. This holds your spot while we confirm we have enough participants (minimum 7) for the course to run.
If we reach 7 people: You'll pay the remaining balance before the course starts.
If we don't reach 7: You get your full deposit back.
Questions about registration or payment?  Contact us, we're happy to help. 
Early Spring 2026 Morning Course with light lunch  
5 Wednesdays, 10:00 – 13:30 
Starting March 25th, 2026 
Late Spring 2026 Evening Course with light dinner 
5 Wednesdays, 18:00 – 21:30
Starting May 6th, 2026

De Kaskantine: an off-grid learning environment 

De Kaskantine is an experiment in going off-grid, relying on solar energy and rainwater. Participants will learn about alternative resource management methods from upcycling building materials and collecting rainwater to producing solar energy.

De Kaskantine serves as an example of a urban homestead and gives you an idea of how sustainability and self-sufficiency can be on a community level. We are as a result highly dependent on nature. For instance, we need solar energy to generate electricity, and we need to collect rainwater for most of our water supply. 

Instructors

The founders of De Kaskantine, Menno and Betty, will lead this course. With the help of volunteers, they have moved and rebuilt the project three times including the restaurant and transformed a former football field into a thriving garden, all the while with the aim to build knowledge and expand community-based projects.

While they believe that we need a system change, they understand that empowering individuals and communities with knowledge and skills is crucial in combating climate change. Their passion for climate-based solutions and learning is at the heart of their desire to create a hands-on, practical course for city dwellers to take tangible actions, both personally and in their community.
What can I grow in a container garden?
It depends on the season and your total space, but quite a lot. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and chives grow year-round. In warmer months, you can grow tomatoes, beans, peppers, zucchini. Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach work well in cooler months.
You'll get guidance during the course on choosing crops that suit your space and the time of year. After the course, you'll know what to seed or plant in each growing season.
Who is this course for?
Anyone with a balcony, patio, courtyard, or small garden who wants to grow vegetables and herbs in containers.
It's designed for beginners looking for a step-by-step approach with guidance, community, and hands-on support.

I have space, but not much sun. Is that okay?
Sunlight is important for most vegetables, many need at least 5–7 hours of direct sun a day.
Will I learn about other growing methods besides containers?
Yes. At Kaskantine, we have containers, raised beds, in-ground plots, an herb spiral, and vertical systems all growing in one space. While the course focuses on container gardening, you'll see how these different systems work and understand the differences.
If you ever get access to a yard, community garden plot, or in-ground space later, you'll already know where to start
What would it cost to set up my container garden?
The main costs come during initial setup. Your total investment depends on the size of your space and how quickly you want to get started.
Essential costs: Soil, containers (pots, boxes, buckets), seeds and plants.
Optional costs: Tools, fertilizers, specific container types (self-watering pots, decorative ceramics). These can be purchased gradually over time.
Affordable options: You can find second-hand pots and materials at thrift shops, on the street, Marktplaats, or from neighbors. Starting small and expanding gradually makes sense.
Reducing ongoing costs: We teach methods to make your own compost and fertilizer, and grow your own plants from seeds. This keeps costs down long-term.