Eat the Yard

Edible Gardening Series Begins This Month at the Fullerton Arboretum

October 13, 2009

Interested in growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs? Check out a new three-class Saturday series, “Eat the Yard!” kicking off Oct. 24 at the Fullerton Arboretum.

The program will lead participants through the steps on how to grow, harvest and prepare organic food from their own yard.

The first class, “Intro to Edible Gardening,” will teach the basics of getting the garden started through hands-on instruction from ethnobotanist and gardener Jonathan Davis in the Arboretum’s organic vegetable garden. Participants at the 9 am.. to noon Oct. 24 program will receive starter seeds to take home. Deadline for prepaid registration is is Wednesday, Oct. 21.

“Eyes on the Harvest,” Dec. 5, will include instruction on pest control, succession planting, plant maintenance and seed saving, as well as other trouble-shooting tips to keep your harvest on track. Class is held from 9 a.m. to noon. Prepaid registration deadline is Dec. 2.

In the “Healthy Harvest Cooking Class,” participants will discover the best ways to enjoy and preserve their garden’s bounty. The Feb. 6 class, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., includes instruction on harvesting techniques, followed by recipes and methods for preserving food. Participants are encouraged to bring 10 copies of their favorite winter recipes to share, as well as their own plate, utensils, apron and notebook. Deadline to register is Feb. 3.

Cost per class is $20 for Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum families, $25 for non member families. To register or for more information, call 657-278-3407.