Handmade Willow Trellises, with Roxane Mitten

Sat., May 19, 10:00 AM - Noon

$15/person

Class held at Earth Source Gardens on Harvest Lane at the NE corner of N. Scott Blvd. and Rochester Ave., Iowa City.

Fresh cut willow is strong and flexible, and it’s an abundant resource that decomposes into the earth. Join Roxane Mitten as she demonstrates how to create a graceful natural trellis of willow, tied with twine. Use your creativity to envision the trellis of your dreams. One dreamer sent blooming runner beans up her trellis and found hummingbirds at the flowers! Fresh willow will be provided. If possible please bring a pair of hand pruners and a pocket knife or scissors.
  

Where the Root Meets the Soil, with Scott Koepke

Mon., May 21, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

FREE and open to all!

Children welcome! 

Class held at Earth Source Gardens on Harvest Lane at the NE corner of N. Scott Blvd. and Rochester Ave., Iowa City.

“Where the root meets the soil, food starts here!” says New Pi Soilmates organic garden educator Scott Koepke. Bring the family to this worm-loving, dirt-digging session designed to help you connect with the source of all food: fertile, well-balanced, biologically active soil. As Scott always says, "The food needs to eat first before we can eat the food." 

Vermicomposting Basics, with Roxane Mitten

Wed., May 23, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

$15/person

Class held at Earth Source Gardens on Harvest Lane at the NE corner of N. Scott Blvd. and Rochester Ave., Iowa City.

Meet the helpful composting worms! Worms can eat your vegetable trimmings and make fertile castings for natural plant fertilizer. Learn how it is done, indoors and out. First 15 students get a free starter pack of worms!

Compost Management, with Loren Leach

Mon., June 25, & Mon., July 23, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

$5/person

Class held at Earth Source Gardens on Harvest Lane at the NE corner of N. Scott Blvd. and Rochester Ave., Iowa City.

Turn pulled weeds, animal waste, and spent garden plants into fertile soil by making compost! Join Loren Leach and friends as they manage the ambitious compost program at Earth Source Gardens. Join the fun for a hands-on learning experience.

Natural Pest Control, with Joanne Leach

Mon., June 25 and Mon., July 23, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

$5/person

Class held at Earth Source Gardens on Harvest Lane at the NE corner of N. Scott Blvd. and Rochester Ave., Iowa City.

It’s a bug-eat-bug world – if you manage things right! Create the appropriate conditions to reduce pests and disease. Learn about natural pest remedies, including the insect-eating insects, with Master Gardener Joanne Leach. We’ll also consider how to address concerns with rabbits, deer, raccoons, and crows.

Growing and Using Culinary Herbs, with Joanne Leach

Mon., July 9, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

$5/ person

Class held at Earth Source Gardens on Harvest Lane at the NE corner of N. Scott Blvd. and Rochester Ave., Iowa City. 

Culinary herbs make good food taste great! Learn which herbs grow best in Iowa: how, when, and where to plant, how to gather and dry, and get useful recipes for butters, pestos, and vinegars.

Permaculture Orchard Guild, with Mary Crooks and Roxane Mitten

Wed., July 18, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

$5/person

Class held at Earth Source Gardens on Harvest Lane at the NE corner of N. Scott Blvd. and Rochester Ave., Iowa City.

Permaculture is founded on the idea that nature knows best. We look to existing plant relationships for inspiration in creating mutually beneficial communities called “guilds.” Backyard Abundance created the design for Sweet Gift Orchard, embedded in Earth Source Gardens. Join Mary Crooks and Roxane Mitten as they discuss the ‘food forest,’ and demonstrate how garden design, planting of mutually beneficial plants, and other aspects of ecological design can enhance orchard production.

Seed-Saving: How and Why, with Roxane Mitten

Wed., Aug 22, and Wed., Sept 12, 5:30 - 7:30 PM

$5/person

Class held at Earth Source Gardens on Harvest Lane at the NE corner of N. Scott Blvd. and Rochester Ave., Iowa City. 

Learn about the time honored tradition of saving seeds from year to year. It is an opportunity to preserve rare, favored strains, and be more secure in your seed sourcing. Roxane will lead a general discussion of seed saving, and then move to identifying plant parts, how pollination occurs, and how to keep the strains pure. In the “hands-on” part of the class we will examine and work with available plant material.