Growing Groceries update. Plus: Meet The Westside Gardener.
Published 2:10 pm Friday, January 16, 2009
OK, vegetable enthusiasts: Here’s the detailed information I promised on the Growing Groceries events coming up in Snohomish County. They seem like wonderful opportunities for beginners as well as people who want a review or to help others learn the art of coaxing fruit, roots and leaves from the earth.
- GROWING GROCERIES EXPO
What: Workshops on vegetable gardening basics, composting, starting seeds and starting community gardens. An information fair will feature home gardening resources as well as details about how to sign up for community supported agriculture programs or CSAs.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 31
Where: Evergreen Middle School, 7621 Beverly Lane, Everett
Cost: Free.
Information: Write to Wendy McClure at wmcclure@ci.everett.wa.us or call 425-257-8717.
- GROWING GROCERIES MENTOR TRAINING
What: Learn how to start a garden and grow fresh produce. Each class will feature classroom instruction followed by an hour of discussion. Topics will include garden site selection and soil preparation, selecting appropriate varieties for the local climate, starting seeds and transplants, planting, salsa gardening, harvesting techniques, and berries and tree fruits.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every fourth Saturday from Jan. 24 through Oct. 24
Where: The Adopt-A-Stream building behind the WSU Snohomish County Extension offices at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett.
Cost: $35 to cover speaker expenses. People who are willing to volunteer to teach others how to grow vegetables, however, can attend all but the first class for free.
Information:Applications are available at the extension office at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett or snohomish.wsu.edu/growingGroceries0109.pdf. Call 425-338-2400 with questions.
Site seeing: I also just heard about a cool Northwest gardening site. (Thank you, Gary Burk of Olympia.) The Westside Gardener is Travis Saling, “a computer wiz” for the University of Washington’s electrical engineering department, according to Burk, who pointed out Saling’s awesome vegetable timetables here.
