Classes
We are charging a minimum $5 fee for all classes to discourage no-shows. To register and pay the fee you follow the registration link after the class description.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our classes will be offered on-line using a cloud-based service, WebEx. You will be sent an email containing a link that will allow you to join the online class ten minutes before the session begins. To assure that the class is not interrupted with unwanted noise, we ask that you mute your microphone until you wish to ask a question or make a comment at the end of the class. Since this is the first time we are attempting to hold classes online, we ask for your understanding and goodwill as we undertake this adventure.
Growing Tomatoes and Chilis - Secrets to Success
Learn the secrets to selecting and growing exceptionally delicious tomatoes and chilis, using organic practices. Discover the best cultivars to grow, along with tips to ensure a bountiful harvest. Royer Held, tomato and chili grower extraordinaire, will tell all in this class.
Registration fee: $5. Register now .
The class is open to the public, and walk-ins are welcome. Cash only.
Please check the website to read about any changes to the course [eg: time, location].
Graft Your Own Tomatoes
Currently Sold Out.
Event date: April 2, 2017
Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable grown by home gardeners in the U.S. Their luscious fruits, with that quintessential taste of summer, is the reward. But tomatoes have some drawbacks: they are subject to a host of diseases that affect their health and production. To combat them, commercial growers are increasingly looking to grafting their favorite tomato cultivars on to tough, disease-resistant, vigorous root stocks. The result is an abundance of fruit on plants that can withstand blights, wilts, nematodes, and other fungal and bacterial diseases.
For the first time, Project Grow is conducting a tomato grafting class that will allow our gardeners to join this movement to growing tomatoes better. The class will be conducted by Steve Bielas, excellent gardener at County Farm and experienced tomato grafter. He will do a lecture/demonstration on grafting tomato seedlings, followed by a workshop where attendees will have the opportunity to practice and perfect their grafting skills on plants that they will take home. The class is designed for experienced gardeners only, who grow their own tomato seedlings and want better health and yields for their efforts. Class size is limited. Registration is required. There is a fee of $15.00 to cover the cost of equipment and seeds
Biochar: What’s That?
This class is cancelled.
What is biochar? The Science Journal Nature called it “the state of the art” soil amendment. Organic Gardening Magazine says,”along with bags of potting soil, mulch and compost, you soon may see bags of biochar for sale at your local nursery”. The Philadelphia Inquirer says “An ancient , highly porous form of charcoal is being touted as a godsend for soil health and fertility - transforming farms, home gardens, and urban and suburban landscapes.” This class will explore the history and the science behind this 2000 year old soil amendment. It will also explain why biochar is being touted as weapon in the fight against climate change.
The class will be taught by Patrick Schoen, Patrick (Pat) Schoen founded Ann Arbor Biochar after a 30 year career teaching science. When Pat was 13, his teacher showed the class a film about deforestation and Pat has been committed to environmental causes ever since. He went on to get his BS from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and a MS in Environmental Science from Eastern Michigan. He is a member of the Citizens Climate Lobby and is acting as a CCL liaison for Michigan’s district 7. He spent many years as a volunteer with the Nature Conservancy and Department of Natural Resources restoring Oak Openings ecosystems.
Level of student who would benefit: Introductory to intermediate.
Fee: $5. For Registration, click here. Walk-ins welcome.
Picking and fermenting
Fermentation is a great way to preserve the harvest. Fermentation is popular because it is an energy efficient way to preserve food; produces fermented foods that have health benefits such as: improvement of digestive function; may help diabetics; offers an array of possibilities; tastes better than commercially produced.
This class will be taught by Project Grow Board member and gardener Calin Sferdean. Calin is a Romanian born scientist who loves gardening, cooking, baking and preserving foods. His nonprofessional interests include sustainable living and natural resources conservation. He successfully completed last year the master composting program offered by Project Grow.
Calin will share his family recipe that traveled with his family from unknown regions of Russia to Transylvania. The preparation involves combining simple ingredients such as: cucumbers,horseradish, garlic, hot peppers, thyme, carrots, parsley root, tarragon, thyme, salt and water to create crispy fresh tasting fermented cucumbers.
Note: This is a demonstration class.
Fee: $5. Register here. Walk-ins are welcome.
Kimchi!
Learn how to make Kim Chi, a traditional fermented Korean side dish. Students will help prepare and mix the ingredients and take home some Kim Chi. The kitchen has generous space for students to observe the techniques involved in making this dish, to get up close and personal with the ingredients, and to ask lots of questions.
The class is being offered by Dan Sferden, passionate about kimchi and other fermented foods. Dan is a Romanian born scientist who loves gardening, cooking, baking and preserving foods. His nonprofessional interests include sustainable living and natural resources conservation. Dan is a Project Grow Board member and gardener and completed the master composting program offered by Project Grow.
The fee for this class is $15, which includes all materials. Enrollment is limited to 10. Register here THIS CLASS is now Full.
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