JULY 2, 2009 ISSUE
Earth Fare, Gardens for Humanity to Present Garden Workshop Series
Every weekend in July and during the first weekend in August, Earth Fare in Boone and Gardens for Humanity are presenting a series of garden workshops. Tasting, testing and learning about all things green and growing is the focus of this new series. Jasmine Shoshanna is the director of Gardens for Humanity, starting her nonprofit organization in 2005.
“Gardens for Humanity is a [nonprofit] that started in Watauga County,” said Shoshanna. “The focus is to help groups, families and individuals start vegetable gardens at their homes who can’t afford to on their own and/or do not have the know how to do so.”
A gardening Renaissance is taking place in the High Country as summer 2009 unfolds. The ancient art and practice of maintaining a garden is apparent everywhere, whether that garden covers acres, a few square feet, is a community effort or family plot—gardens are en vogue and growing—literally. With the rising price of produce and contamination of some food supplies, people are turning to earth and turning that earth, for sustenance in their own backyards and communities.
Earth Fare staff and Shoshanna are inviting everyone to these free summer workshops. Except for one plant sale, these opportunities are held at Earth Fare in Boone.
Gardening Workshop Schedule
Wild Pestos
Saturday, July 4
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Basil pestos are only one of a whole range of pestos that provide great taste and a lot of eating options. Wild pestos are made from local wild plants, full of flavor and brimming over with health benefits.
Composting
Thursday, July 9
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Good soil is the secret to good gardens. If there is one thing time and money should be spent on, it is making compost and buying good compost, said Shoshanna.
Preserving the Harvest
Saturday, July 11
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
A number of food preservation techniques exist, are superior to canning and they maintain the life force of food. The third workshop in the series will introduce people to some of those other techniques, from drying to using honeys. Taste tests will be available.
Chocolate Like You’ve Never Had Before
Saturday, July 18
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Making healthy chocolate is easy and fun. Shoshanna explained that “you may be surprised at how many garden delights can be woven into chocolate to give it spice, flavor and interest.” For the chocolate workshop, lots of taste tests are planned for the public.
Growing Winter Vegetables
Saturday, July 25
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
One of the most underused garden techniques is the employment of cold frames, according to Shoshanna. Indispensable for extending the growing season, cold frames can help keep vegetables going all winter.
The Great Plant Sale
Saturday, August 1
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Anemone, Baptista, roses, butterfly bushes, barberry and more plants will be for sale at half the price charged at retail centers. Come to 871 Pinnacle Drive in Boone for the sale.
“Don’t miss this opportunity!” said Shoshanna.
The Great Plant Sale Number II
Sunday, August 2
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The second plant sale will be morning only at the Earth Fare Farmer’s Market.
For more information on the workshops or about Gardens for Humanity, call Shoshanna at 828-297-4677.
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