Community Education
We offer a variety of community classes during the season, as well as garden prep classes pre-season. These classes are designed to help folks learn more about growing food using organic methods in a high altitude environment. Classes focus on fostering soil health, using water efficiently, and encouraging pollinators and other beneficial insects, to help increase the harvest bounty. While many take place at the Garden and plot holders are encouraged to sign up, the information taught in the classes can be applied to other garden spaces as well, and community members are more than welcome!
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Upcoming Classes and Workshops
Intro to High Altitude Gardening (virtual)
Thursday, February 19th, 6 pm
$25
This Intro to High Altitude Gardening class is designed for people interested in learning how to successfully grow vegetables in our short growing season and high desert terrain. We will provide information and tips on how to get the most out of your growing season including discussing which crops can be grown, what is best direct seeded and transplanted, the tools and supplies needed to have a successful garden, and some basics of plant biology and needs.
This Intro to High Altitude Gardening class is designed for people interested in learning how to successfully grow vegetables in our short growing season and high desert terrain. We will provide information and tips on how to get the most out of your growing season including discussing which crops can be grown, what is best direct seeded and transplanted, the tools and supplies needed to have a successful garden, and some basics of plant biology and needs.
Wednesday, February 19th, 6:00 - 7:15 pm, Virtual
High Altitude Gardening Part II (virtual)
Thursday, March 5th, 6 pm
This class is intended for those who have taken the Intro to High Altitude Gardening course or who have gardened in a high altitude setting for a season or longer. There will be a brief review of the basics, followed by more specific information about plant varieties, planting dates and techniques, irrigation needs, soil health principles, and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring their specific gardening questions here for a Q&A session at the end of the class.
Planting Plans & Seed Ordering (virtual)
Thursday, March 19, 6 pm
This class will help folks understand the terminology around seed buying, including what organic, non-GMO, hybrid, locally adapted, and more mean. We’ll talk about companion planting, crop rotation, seed starting dates, planting quantities, and more as we work to build planting plans and charts for the coming season. I will also recommend seed companies and seed varieties best suited to our high altitude growing environment.
Seed Starting (in-person, location TBD)
April, date TBD
Join us to learn all about starting seeds indoors to transplant in your garden once it warms up and the danger of frost is behind us. We will go over how to pick out or create a potting mix, how to plant different types of seeds, water needs, and more.
*Materials will be provided. We will have some seeds to share and feel free to bring your seeds!
Preparing Your Garden (in-person, Summit Community Gardens)
May, date TBD
Join us in the Garden as we share best practices on how to prepare garden plots. We’ll learn about soil amendments, like compost and other organic materials, that can enhance soil fertility. Techniques using broadforks and other tools to loosen soil and prepare it for planting (especially important for our rocky soil) will be demonstrated and everyone will get a chance to try out the tools. We’ll also review some earlier topics, including planting dates, seed sowing & transplanting tips, frost protection, and irrigation best practices.
Pest & Disease Management (in-person, Summit Community Gardens)
June, date TBD
This class will go over pest and disease identification and cover how to deal with those pests - including bugs and rodents - and the common diseases that affect our garden plants, using organic and holistic methods.
Compost Tea & Fertilizing (in-person, Summit Community Gardens)
July, date TBD
Learn how to make a super nutrient-rich tea from your compost to nourish the soil and therefore your plants! Applying compost tea and other organic fertilizers can help increase soil microbiology and mycorrhizal networks, help roots maximize their uptake of nutrients, and grow better, bigger, and tastier vegetables.