Growing Matters Garden Program

Educational Programs

Summer Garden Workshops

During the summer we host a series of community workshops focusing on sustainable, organic gardening practices. These low cost, 1-2 hour workshops are a great way to get your hands dirty while learning about a variety of gardening topics. Workshops are held at the Growing Matters Garden main site, 2119 N. Westnedge, unless otherwise indicated. Space is limited, so register early by downloading the registration form. Scholarships are available- contact Erica for more information.

• August 12, 2010: Introduction to Worm Composting

  6:30-8:00pm, Woodward Elementary School

Interested in learning how to turn your kitchen scraps into nutritious, free fertilizer for your plants and garden? Come learn how to set up and maintain a worm composting bin. A hands-on workshop for the whole family, the price includes worm bin materials, informative handouts, and starter worms.

$40 per person, pre-registration is required

• September 16, 2010: Introduction to Hydroponics

  7:00-8:30pm, Horizen Hydroponics

This class is designed to teach the basics needed in order get growing and be successful. Topics covered include advantages and disadvantages of hydroponics, lighting, growing mediums, hydroponic system types, nutrients, additives, and pH control. The price includes informative handouts and samples.

$20 per person, pre-registration is required

10-Week Summer Progam

During the summer, student groups from local youth development organizations (such as Family and Children Services and the ARK shelter) visit our gardens for a 10-week garden educational program. At our gardens, students learn how to:

• grow fruits and vegetables from seed to harvest (using organic practices),
• better understand where their food comes from,
• eat fresh, sustainably grown food from the garden, and
• enjoy working, learning, and playing together outside!

If you work for a local non-profit, neighborhood association, school, church group, or other youth development organization and are interested in our 10-week summer program, please contact us for more information.

Programs at Woodward Elementary School

The Growing Matters Garden program provides year round garden support for Woodward Elementary teachers and staff. We help the school with garden planning, planting with classes, and summer garden maintenance.

Over the past few years, we have worked together with staff to create garden based lesson plans to help bring the garden into more of their curriculum.

During the summer break, we host a weekly garden night on Tuesday evenings from 7-8 pm. Students, staff, neighbors, families, and any interested community members are welcome to join us at the school garden (located on the corner of North and Stuart).