Each Year Urban Harvest offers a course series providing all the basics of growing a wide variety of vegetables in our climate using organic methods. Instruction includes special guests with expertise in growing a variety of vegetables. The class will be held on Saturdays beginning on September 12th, and end on October 31st. This year, we have 30 scholarship slots available, however all participants will be asked to purchase a copy of book for this course, which can be purchased here. With 24 hours of classroom instruction, and 9 hours of hands-on instruction, this is one of the most comprehensive organic vegetable courses in Texas. Graduates who complete the course become certified Organic Vegetable Specialists and receive a certificate.
This is a series, but you may sign up for an individual classes
here.
Course Topics Include:
Class 1 - September 12th - The Organic Approach: Why it Works- Discuss the principles that make organic methods successful in Houston's climate
- Learn how to design a productive vegetable garden using permaculture concepts while considering climate, rainfall, irrigation, drainage, raised beds, planting schedules, and seasonal growing conditions.
Class 2 - September 19th - Backyard Compost, Soil, and Nutrients- Best practices in composting and soil building
- Understanding different composting methods
- Crop rotation
Class 3 - September 26th - Vegetable Garden Design- Selecting garden tools, designing productive growing spaces, water management strategies
- Crop rotation and garden layout for long-term success
Class 4 - October 3rd - Types of Vegetables, Planting Seeds, and Plants- Learn how temperature affects growing success, focus on fall vegetable gardening, best locations and conditions for crops to thrive.
- Learn about planting schedules, temperature considerations, and direct seeding versus transplants.
- Discussing brassicas and herbs suited to the season and region.
Class 5 - October 10th - Types of Vegetables, Seeds, Sprouts, and transplants- Learn about tomatoes and other nightshades, peas, beans, mint, and other vegetable families
- Highlighting community gardening opportunities
Class 6 - October 17th - Ecological Pest Management- Ecological principles that offer best strategies in cultivating a vibrant garden resistant to pests.
- How to attrach beneficial insects
Class 7 - October 24th - Preparing for Spring Planting- Starting your tomato and pepper seeds in the winter to have plants in the spring
- Discussing popular spring crops and fruit trees and when to plant
- Discussing high yielding fruit and vegetable crops
Class 8 - October 31st - Teaching Timeless Garden Techniques- Learn gardening methods for a flourishing garden
- Discussing succession planting, seed saving, techniques to increase resilience, productivity, and self-sufficiency.
- Share a potluck at the end of the series
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Hands on training is available by looking at our list of community gardens on our website at www.urbanharvest.org homepage under Directory of Community Gardens. If you need further assistance contact Randall Mosman at randall@urbandharvest.org.
If you can, bring your own trowel, gloves, water bottle, and hat.
CLASSES: Before classes there will be a Q&A session where you can bring up topics related to the last class and the readings. There will also be a brief self-graded quiz based on the reading assigned and the previous class. If we are not too busy, you are welcome to ask questions before class, but not at the break or at the end.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: You need to attend 6 classes to be eligible for an “Organic Vegetable Specialist Certificate.” Please see that you check in each time. If you miss a class, you can make it up the following year when (and if) the class is offered. If you want your “Organic Vegetable Specialist Certificate”, it is very important that you be present.
CONTACT INSTRUCTORS: For class matters: Gary Edmondson gary@urbanharvest.org . Bob Randall YearRoundGardening@comcast.net
If you cannot attend the class as scheduled, there are no refunds or substitutions.
Registration will close 24 hours prior to most classes and 48 hours before all Sunday classes.
(After registration you will receive two emails, one is a receipt and the other will be sent 3 days prior to the class with event details that include location, parking, and contact information. Contact randall@urbanharvest.org for questions)
