2010 Organic Gardening Workshops

Learn to grow healthy and tasty produce

Whether you are an organic gardening newbie or an experienced gardener, the Organic Gardening Series will provide youwith time-tested production information as well as opportunities to discuss specific issues related to your garden.

Each session will provide you with information that will enable you to grow your own vegetables in a way that is safe for you, your family and the environment.

Classes will be held on the second Saturday of the month, April through September, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Duke Farms in
Hillsborough, N.J.

April 10: Prepare your garden! Organic soil health is the most important aspect of your organic garden. Learn more about how to improve your soil vigor, what varieties to plant as seeds or transplants, as well as where and when to plant in order to maximize your garden production. Also applicable for those limited to container gardening.
May 8: Compost, Mulch, Worms, Garbage, Compost Tea and More. Nature creates compost/humus all the time without human intervention -- but gardeners can step in and speed up the process to improve their soil and garden production, even if you garden on a windowsill.
June 12: Feeling the Chill? Time to start your Fall Garden! Learn what varieties of the cabbage family are best for your garden. Should you direct seed or start transplants? What sort of bed preparation is necessary and what soil acidity is best for success for your fall production? These are just some of the topics to be covered.
July 10: Managing your Weeds and Insects. Rotate your crops, purposeful germination, hoeing or pulling weeds, using vinegar sprays, boiling water, or using weeds as mulch are just a few of the approaches you can utilize to keep your weed and insect populations under control.
August 14: Seed Saving and Seed Exchange. Bring some of your own seeds to exchange with others in the session to increase the number of locally-adapted heirloom varieties. Learn about timing and techniques for gathering and storing seeds over the winter.
September 11: Fall into Garlic and Season Extenders. Learn more about garlic and how to grow well into the winter. Using locally available eco-friendly materials, learn how to construct cold frames, crop covers and portable mini-green houses.

Fee: The cost is $30 per session or $150 for the series. Discount for NOFA Members: The cost for NOFA members is $20
per session/$100 for the series.

Location: Duke Farms is located at 80 Route 206 South, approximately 1.75 miles south of the Somerville traffic circle in Hillsborough, N.J. Enter via the gate at Dukes Parkway East. Directions are available at www.dukefarms.org.

Registration: Register for individual classes online at www.dukefarms.org. To register for the series, have your credit card ready and call (908) 722-3700 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Organic Gardening Series was developed for Duke Farms by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ), a 25-year-old, membership-based educational nonprofit organization that fosters a unique collaboration among the stakeholders in our food system.