The Garden Shed & Learning Center, LLC will be training the community about vegetable gardening in a series of lectures in collaboration with the Community Garden Partnership this spring.  This four (4) part series will cover all the information you need to begin growing healthy, chemical free food for your family.  You will also be contributing to the clean up of our environment, as proposed by Governor Doyle, if you use a method called "No Till Gardening". 

The series will begin on Tuesday, February 5^th and run three more Tuesday nights at multiple locations through out the Valley to accommodate as many gardeners as possible.  Cost:  FREE to the public!  Just call 832-5119 to reserve your place.

Our schedule:

New & Rusty Vegetable Gardener Training
When:  Tuesday, February 5^th  beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Location:  UW Extension offices located at 3365 W. Brewster Street, Appleton
(on the NW corner of the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue & Bluemound, just south of FVTC.)

We will begin the series with an overview of sustainable gardening practices, a quick summary of why we should all be growing food, and how to decide what to grow.  This is a great class for whole families to help them plan for their gardens and excite all members about the upcoming growing season.  You say you don't have place to garden at your house or apartment; Community Gardens is there to help with plots available for a low cost for the entire gardening season! 

No-Till Gardening & Seed Selection

When:  Tuesday, February 12^th beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Location:  Goodwill Industries located at 1800 Appleton Road (just north of the Midway Road Exit off of I-441)

What is No-till gardening and why is it the most "green" method of growing?  You will learn what it means and how to use this method even in the hardest clay soil we have here in many parts of northeast Wisconsin.  We will also look at how to read seed packages and what information is most important to gardeners in choosing which seeds to purchase for successful garden produce.

Soil Nutrition

When:  Tuesday. February 19^th beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Location:  UW Extension offices located at 3365 W. Brewster Street, Appleton (on the NW corner of the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue & Bluemound, just south of FVTC.)

To make it possible to have a successful garden with abundant produce, you must provide the best possible nutrition for your plants.  (After all healthy soil grows healthy food which feeds healthy people.)  Here we will explore what your plants need to be healthy producers of great food, how you can know what your plants need and how to make corrections if your soil is not in great condition for growing.  

Mulch & Compost 101

When:  Tuesday, February 26^th beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Location:  Salvation Army located at 130 W. North St., Appleton

With all of the drought we have had in the area the last few years, mulching is a grerat way to conserve water and provide for your plants.  We will discuss types of mulch, how to use it for the best possible results and how to save money using mulch.  We will also look at composting, nature's recycling program and the best possible nutrition for your plants and soil.  You will learn how and what to compost, how to diagnosis problems with your compost pile and why it does NOT attract varmints nor will it smell if done properly.  This is truly a great way to help our community "GO GREEN".