Organic Gardening from the Ground Up:
A Beginning Guide to Growing Your Own Organic Veggies
What can be more useful than knowing how to grow your own food? A small plot of land can produce an amazing bounty of fresh vegetables and a well tended garden looks beautiful, too.
Alyson has a degree in Agricultural Sciences and 20 year’s experience running her own organic vegetable farm. She is happy to share the benefit of her experience with you, whether you grow in a few containers on your deck or are thinking of starting your own farm.
Part 1: Introduction to Organics
Organic principles and how to apply them to your garden.
- Create biodiversity and work with nature
- Use Permaculture
- Choose a location for your garden and prepare the ground
- Garden in small spaces
Turn your garden into a thriving ecosystem.
Part 2: How to grow healthy vegetables
Creating healthy soil and a healthy environment for your garden
- Soil health = plant health
- Making great compost
- Soil fertility and soil building
- Cover crops and green manures
Growing vegetables that are nutritious and hold their own against pests, disease and weeds
Part 3: What to grow, how much and where to put it?
Organic vegetable garden design including:
- Choosing crops appropriate to our climate
- What, where and how much?
- Crop families and crop rotations
- Choosing seed and appropriate tools
- Season extension
- Basic seed saving
Create a garden that has enough beans but not too much zucchini!
Part 4: Pests, Diseases and Weeds
Common challenges faced by organic gardeners and what to do about them
- Encourage beneficial insects
- Companion planting
- Prevent problems before they happen
- Identify and contain common problems
- Use a variety of weed management tools
Designing a healthy, balanced garden working with Mother Nature
2024 dates are March 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 10:00 –to 12:30
For all 4 classes: Students $125, non-students $150
Location: virtual through Zoom
Contact Alyson at: alysonchisholm@gmail.com or (506) 889-8512, http://www.windyhillfarm.ca