Summer gardening classes offered at Idyllwild Community Garden
By Idyllwild Community Garden
Contributed
The Idyllwild Community Garden (ICG) has assembled noted experts in how to achieve success in growing edible gardens here in our mountain environment for a series of free classes throughout the summer.
PHOTO BY MANDY JOHNSON
The schedule begins Saturday, July 10 with permaculture experts Tricia Pilkington and Todd Fowler sharing their many years of experimentation employing permaculture principles for practical solutions to the challenges of mountain gardening. They will cover the benefits of native plants and greenhouse and offer other holistic approaches.
On the following Saturday, July 17, their class will focus on permaculture practices for water usage and conservation including gray water, retrofitting and conservation as well as laws related to gray water usage.
Landscape designer April Palmer, a member of the ICG team, will teach the Basics of Garden Design Saturday, July 24. Attendees are invited to bring photos and/or site maps for personal tips in planning their outdoor environment.
On the following Saturday, July 31, Palmer will discuss native and other perennial and edible plants that have proven successful in Idyllwild and proven planting practices.
Peter Kindfield, a noted expert in forest gardening, will teach several classes themed “Gardening Like A Forest” with emphasis on soil building. His classes will be held Aug. 7, 14 and 21.
All classes will take place on Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Classes are free but donations are welcome. All you need to bring is a hat, gloves and water. Children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.
If you’d like to garden with other like-minded folk, the Community Garden has a few raised beds you can rent or build your own here on-site. We are also looking for volunteers to help with garden maintenance and social media.
The Community Garden and Education Center is located at the corner of Alderwood and North Circle Drive. For further information and to sign up for classes, go to the calendar section of the Idyllwild Community Garden website at www.idyllwildgarden.org or the Idyllwild Community Garden on Facebook. Class size is limited to 15 people so sign up early.
