2013 Workshops

Workshops are free and held at the store unless otherwise noted. We add to this list regularly. To learn about upcoming workshops, bookmark this page or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter in the bright green box to the left.

To attend a workshop please send us an e-mail or call the store to register (206) 324-0737. Thanks!

2013 Workshop Schedule

The following list will grow throughout the season. Keep checking back! If you have an idea for a workshop, contact our workshop coordinator.

 

(Workshops in orange are in partnership with CityFruit.).

• All About Herbs, June 8th
• Permaculture & Fruit Trees, June 9th
• Succession Gardening: Edibles All Year Round, June 15th
• Natural Pest and Disease Control, June 22nd
• Growing Fall and Winter Edibles, June 29th
• Shade Gardening, July 13th
• Fruit Canning Basics, July 14th
• Seed Saving: Perpetuating a Tradition
• Summer Fruit Tree Pruning, August 13th
• Cider Making Basics, September 8th
• Apple Identification, October 13th

Saturday, June 8th, 11:00 am – noon
Richard Greenberg of Earth Wizardry Gardens will talk about growing herbs — both indoors and out, including container herb gardening. Richard will discuss cooking with various herbs and share recipes from flavored vinegars to tempting sweets!

Saturday, June 9th, 11:00 am – noon
Permaculture is a set of techniques and principles for creating landscapes that are naturally sustainable. When applied to growing fruit, a permaculture approach focuses on soil health, planting suitability, and attracting natural predators. Instructor Kimberly Leeper is owner of Mariposa Naturescapes, specializing in native and edible plant design and installation. She is committed to helping people create more sustainable gardens and ecosystems in their back yard.

Saturday, June 15th, 11:00 am – noon
In this workshop explore the ways in which you can maximize the space you have to grow vegtables and fruit through successive planting, repeat flowering and fruiting plants, and fertilizing and watering to encourage a long season of production.  The timing of.replanting will also be discussed.

Saturday, June 22nd, 11:00 am – noon
Learn how to control pesky bugs and diseases naturally withRichard Greenberg of Earth Wizardry Gardens. He will talk about attracting useful predators to the garden, the use of organic and natural sprays and treatments, and strengthening your plant’s immune system.

Saturday, June 29th, 10 am – 11 am
Early summer is the perfect time to think about your winter vegetable garden. With some planning, you can harvest from your garden through the holidays and have a bounty of early-spring vegetables before most gardeners have broken ground. Learn what to plant now and through mid-summer for fall and winter eating, and how to fit those crops into the summer garden. Bill Thorness, author of Edible Heirlooms and Cool Season Gardener, will share timing and techniques for year-round gardening.

Saturday, July 13th, 11:00 am – noon
Don’t neglect the shady spots in your garden! These can often be some of the most beautiful areas to retreat to on hot days.Richard Greenberg of Earth Wizardry Gardens will talk about shade gardens design and considerations for successful planting with less light.

Sunday, July 14th, 11 am – 12:30 pm
From fruit selection and preparation to the basics of water bath canning, learn how to can fruit and make jams, jellies, and marmalades. Avid canner and Master Food Preserver Nancy Gohring will talk about pectin versus non-pectin recipes, no sugar or low sugar recipes, hot packing versus raw packing, syrup choices, and equipment.

Saturday, August 3rd, 10 am – 11 am 
Saving seeds is as old as farming. It is an important way for growers to provide for future edible crops, and our traditional seed supply has been threatened by multinationals and patents. Make seed-saving a part of your gardening practice. It’s fun, saves a bit of money, and you can help preserve treasured varieties. This workshop will show the wet and dry harvesting methods, discuss drying and storage, and get you started on becoming a seed saver. The instructor, Bill Thorness, is the author of Cool Season Gardener and Edible Heirlooms.

Sunday, August 11th, 11 am – 12:30 pm
Late summer is a great time to prune fruit trees. Some experts say it’s the only time. Learn why from Bill Wanless, a garden care and pruning expert and ISA certified arborist.

Sunday, September 8th, 11 am – noon
Matt Pope is a hobby fermenter who learned how to make cider, wine, and beer from scrubbing tanks at cideries and wineries, listening to the pros, reading books, and plenty of experimentation. In this workshop he will go over the steps and equipment that one would need to make his or her own cider. He will also have samples on hand!

Sunday, October 13th, 11 am – noon
Laura Janzen has been grafting and pruning apples and pears for three decades, has served as the editor of Seattle Tree Fruit Society’s Urban Scion Post, and helped develop the Web-based apple ID program. She will have you look at apples and discuss the qualities that tell you when to pick, how to store, identify what variety it is, and what to do for better fruit next year.