CLASSES

Project Grow classes offered to the public are concentrated in early spring, to help gardeners prepare for the growing season  During the summer and fall, we are out gardening, so classes are few at that time.  However, we do schedule some classes during the warm weather.  Please check back regularly for educational opportunities and class additions.

Register for a Project Grow class or event

Organic Gardener Certification Information
Heirloom Gardening Series
Other Gardening Classes

Organic Gardener Certification Program

 

Project Grow Community Gardens, in partnership with the Washtenaw Community College, are offering an Organic Gardener Certification Program beginning Winter Term, 2010. This program will give home gardeners and professional landscapers the knowledge and skills needed to establish and maintain vegetable and ornamental gardens organically. Classes can be taken individually or as a series leading to the certificate. Individuals who complete the required 8 classes, a final exam and a 20-hour volunteer component will receive a certificate in Organic Gardening. Students will have a year and a half to complete their volunteer hours.

Required Courses:
Organic Gardening:  An Introduction
Organic Gardening:  Soils, Compost and Organic Fertilizer
Organic Gardening:  Organic Vegetable Gardening

Organic Gardening:  Organic Fruit Growing Made Easy

Organic Gardening:  Landscaping with Native Plants
Organic Gardening:  Organic Pest and Disease Management
Organic Gardening:  Organic Weed Control
Organic Gardening:  Organic Lawn Care

Organic Gardener Certificate students must buy a course pack, which is only available at the WCC Bookstore.  A separate course pack is recommended for non-certificate students. 

To register and view class descriptions, visit the Washtenaw Community College's Organic Gardening Certification Page. You will also find descriptions of the classes in the calendar above.

For registration questions, call WCC Live Work Learn at (734) 973-3607.

Heirloom Gardening Series

Longtime Project Grow gardener and heirloom expert, Royer Held, along with fellow longtime Project Grow gardener and Greenview garden site coordinator, Tom Scheper, are once again presenting their experience and expertise to you in the Heirloom Gardening series of classes.

Organic Gardening with Project Grow
Saturday, March 6th, 10-11:30am

Created for beginning organic gardeners, this class, presented by Project Grow , will teach you basic organic gardening methods. The class will cover topics such as soil quality and amendments, planning the garden and plant variety choices, plant nutrients and other organic plant care methods. Project Grow Instructor:  Royer Held.  Location:  Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road, Ann Arbor.  Class is free, although donations will be gladly accepted.  Participants are required to register  online. For more information, call Project Grow at 734-996-3169.

Enjoying and Preserving Heirloom Vegetable Varieties in Your Garden
Saturday, March 13th, 10-11:30am

This class, presented by Project Grow, will help you save heirloom plant varieties for future generations while enjoying them today.  Learn about the multitude of heirloom vegetable varieties that are maintained by home gardeners like you.  Discover the importance of seed saving and key seed saving techniques.  Find out how to create and maintain your own heirloom vegetable varieties.  Project Grow Instructor:  Royer Held.  Location:  Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road, Ann Arbor.  Class is free, although donations will be gladly accepted.  Participants are required to register online.  For more information, call Project Grow at 734-996-3169

Potato Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Sweet Potato Slips
Saturday, April 10th, 10-11:30am.

All kinds of unusual potato varieties can be easily grown in the garden. In this class, presented by Project Grow, learn about their history, characteristics, and how to raise them from seed or tubers. Project Grow Instructor:  Royer Held.  Location:  Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road, Ann Arbor.  Class is free, although donations will be gladly accepted.  Participants are required to register online.  For more information, call Project Grow at 734-996-3169.

Raising Heirloom Tomatoes and Peppers Organically
Saturday, April 17th, 10-11:30am.

This class, presented by Project Grow, will reveal all the secrets about selecting, starting, and growing delicious tomatoes and hot peppers, using organic cultivation practices.  Come learn about the best cultivars to grow and get tips to ensure a bountiful harvest. Project Grow Instructors: Tom Scheper and Royer Held.  Location: Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Rd., Ann Arbor.  Class is free, although donations will be gladly accepted.  Participants are required to register online.  For more information, call Project Grow at 734-996-3169.

 

Other Gardening Classes

 

A-maizing Chickens!

Saturday, March 20th, 10-12 noon

Recently passed ordinances in both Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor allow citizens to raise chickens in their backyards.  If you are thinking of raising chickens, but need help learning how to do it, this class is for you.  This very informative and practical two-hour session at the Ypsilanti city home of our instructor, where he raises chickens and other livestock, will cover the following topics:  ordering chickens, raising them, foods they need at different stages of growth, coops and shelters, composting manures, making manure tea, managing odors, and more.  Project Grow instructor:  Peter Thomason.  Location:  211 Woodward Street, Ypsilanti, MI.  Class fee:  $15.00.  Participants are required to register online.  Payment can be made at the same time.  For more information, call Project Grow at 734-996-3169.

 

Introduction to Composting

Saturday, April 24th, 10-12 noon

 

This class will explore composting styles and methods that will meet the needs of every gardener.  Basic composting principles will be covered, such as what it is, what it requires in terms of organisms, water, air, and a balance of carbon and nitrogen, how to create and maintain compost piles, and how to solve common problems connected with composting.  The class will also investigate different styles of bins and piles for composting, as well as alternatives to it.  Weather permitting, we will even go outside and make a compost pile!  Project Grow instructor:  Geoffrey Kroepel.  Location:  Leslie House at the Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road, Ann Arbor.  Class is free, although donations will be gratefully accepted. Participants are required to register online.  For more information, call Project Grow at 734-996-3169.

 

Bees:  Up Close and Personal!

Saturday, May 1st, 1-3pm

You've read about them.  Maybe even attended a lecture on them.  With this class, you will be able to see, hear, and handle them!  A hands-on class on introductory beekeeping is scheduled for Saturday, May 1, from 1:00-3:00pm, at Dawn Farms, 6633 Stoney Creek, Ypsilanti, 48197.  You will learn what equipment to use, how to set up and maintain hives, and how to collect honey.  Project Grow instructor:  Lora Kadwell.  Class will be limited to 15. Participants are asked to dress in jeans, long-sleeved shirts and shoes.  A fee of $7.50 is charged, payable when you register online.  For more information, call Project Grow at 734-996-3169..
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