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!
Sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page or follow us on social media (Instagram, Facebook) to receive the latest announcements of classes!
Upcoming Classes and Workshops
Pest and Disease Management - June 18th
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.
Thursday, June 18th, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Location: Summit Community Gardens
Cacao Workshop - July 14th
Cacao Workshop
July 14, 2026 | 5:30-6:30 pm
Presented by: Esmeralda Torres and the Lopez Aquino Family of Chiapas, Mexico, and Utah
Experience a cultural immersion into the Zoque-Maya chocolate-making tradition! Participants will learn the origin and cultural significance of chocolate, use traditional tools to grind cacao beans from farms in Chiapas into chocolate using hands-on processes, and taste traditional chocolate beverages, chocolates, and other recipes. This workshop offers space to reflect on the profound depth of ancestral knowledge and earth-sustaining practices, while examining the vibrant parallels within Utah's diverse communities, where generational wisdom is honored preserving ancestral recipes and traditional food preparation methods.
Class includes all materials and ingredients. Ages 12 and up. $30. Scholarships available. Please email Team@summitcommunitygardens.org for more information.
Taller de Cacao
14 de julio | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m
Taller de Cacao Presentado por: Esmeralda Torres y la familia López Aquino, de Chiapas (México) y Utah
¡Viva una inmersión cultural en la tradición chocolatera zoque-maya! Los participantes aprenderán sobre el origen y el significado cultural del chocolate, utilizarán herramientas tradicionales para moler granos de cacao —provenientes de las fincas en Chiapas— y transformarlos en chocolate mediante procesos prácticos, además de degustar bebidas de chocolate tradicionales, chocolates y otras recetas. Este taller ofrece un espacio para reflexionar sobre la profunda riqueza del conocimiento ancestral y las prácticas de sostenibilidad ecológica, al tiempo que examina los vibrantes paralelismos existentes en las diversas comunidades de Utah, donde se honra la sabiduría generacional mediante la preservación de recetas ancestrales y métodos tradicionales de preparación de alimentos.
La clase incluye todos los materiales e ingredientes. A partir de los 12 años. $30. Becas disponibles. Escriba a Team@summitcommunitygardens.org para más información.
Fertilizing & Compost Tea - July 16th
Learn more about how 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.
Thursday, July 16th | 5:30 - 6:30 pm | $25
Location: Summit Community Gardens
Watercoloring in the Garden - August 5th
Wednesday, August 5th
6-8 pm at the Garden
(4056 Shadow Mountain Drive)
Join local artist Bridgette Meinhold for an evening of watercolor painting at the Community Gardens. We will learn how to take our time in nature, use our observational skills, and turn those impressions into art. This class takes advantage of the beautiful Community Garden at peak season, with the surrounding mountains as our inspiration. We will explore how to transform what we see in nature into a memorable painting, plus go over supplies and basic watercolor skills. This class is open to all skill levels. All are welcome!
Supplies: Bridgette will provide all the necessary supplies but feel free to bring your own. If you’d like to buy supplies, here are Bridgette’s recommendations.
We will spend time under the shaded picnic area, but please bring sunscreen, a hat, and a chair/stool if you wish to paint in another part of the garden. You may also wish to bring water and snacks.
Free Family Yoga - August 8th
Saturday, August 8, 2026
9:30-10:30 am
Looking for an activity the whole family can enjoy? You’ve landed on the perfect activity with Randi Jo’s Family Yoga in the Garden. We'll practice yoga poses for all bodies and learn fun mindfulness techniques. Storytelling and coloring too! All ages, sizes and experience levels are welcome (babies to grandparents). Please bring your own mat. This class is offered free or with an optional donation, but registration is required.
Garden Plot Tour & Potluck - August 13th
Come see what your fellow community gardeners are working on in their plots! We will visit spaces throughout the garden and learn about exciting practices, from pollinator-friendly flower beds to worm composting to dye plants to fascinating companion planting experiments (like the Montana Milpa). Bring a dish to share - after the tour, we’ll enjoy a potluck meal in the Gathering Space!
Thursday, August 13th | 5:30 - 6:30 pm | FREE
Location: Summit Community Gardens
Learn how to put your garden to rest in a way that fosters the health of the soil AND makes next spring easier and better! We’ll discuss which plant material to remove and best practices for doing so, how to insulate overwintering crops, how to incorporate soil amendments, and how to plant garlic now for a harvest the following July.
Thursday, October 1st, (date is subject to change), 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Location: Summit Community Gardens
Cover crops - what are they and why are they important? We’ll discuss what the purposes and benefits of cover crops are, which varieties are most successful in our high altitude environment, what varieties should be planted based on your soil goals, and how to incorporate them into your growing plan. There will also be a demonstration on how to plant cover crop.
Thursday, September 17th, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Location: Summit Community Gardens