September Garden Classes

September marks the beginning of the fall planting season here in Central Texas. Many growers (including me) consider this to be the best growing season as there are many delicious veggies that can handle the occasional cold snap much better that surviving the heat of a Texas summer. Fall favorites include broccoli, spinach, lettuce, beets, carrots, chard, and kale. Join us each Saturday at 10:30 in the Monument Market to learn about the joys of growing food without chemicals! Classes are free and no registration is required.

We'll be going in depth this coming month about some of the cool season favorites. Here is the line up of classes we have coming in September:

September 1st - This Month in the Garden - This is our monthly first Saturday series where we cover the garden "To Do" list for the month. Learn what is in season, what you can plant from seed or transplant and other garden tasks.

The Herb Garden at Gabriel Valley Farms

September 8th - Guest Speaker Garden Workshop: Growing Herbs with Cathy Slaughter from Gabriel Valley Farms. For over 20 years, Cathy and her husband Sam have owned and operated a wholesale nursery specializing in certified organic vegetable and herbs in Jonah, TX.

September 15th - Growing Brassicas Organically - Brassicas include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, collards, brussels sprouts as well as mustard greens and arugula.

September 22nd - Growing Strawberries. In Central Texas, October is the best time to plant strawberries to harvest in the spring!

September 29th - Growing Garlic. Garlic and onions should be planted in October too. Come to class and be prepared!

Preparing the Soil for a New Garden

This weekend is our 1 year anniversary (more or less) of the Monument Garden Classes. In celebration we'll be getting back to basics and discussing methods for preparing new garden beds, including how to break ground and how to prepare the soil for a vibrant, healthy garden. I hope you can join us Saturday at 10:30am for this free class!

Compost!

Every time you throw food scraps in the trash or rake up your leaves and set them on the curb for the garbage collector, you are loosing a valuable soil building resource and sending away free nutrients for your garden. Instead, harness the alchemy of compost making and turn this "waste" into black gold. Learn how this Saturday at 10:30am in the Market. Class is free and open to the public. We'll be discussing backyard piles as well as vermicompost (a.k.a. worm composting) and bokashi composting systems. See you there!

Save Your Own Seeds

Dill seeds are easy to save!

I am so excited to have Heather Kasper from Kasper Farm coming in on Saturday at 10:30am to talk to us about saving our own seeds. By saving the seeds from the most successful and delicious veggies in your garden you are adapting plants for your specific micro-climate and soil, preserving genetic diversity, and saving money. Not to mention that learning the art of saving seeds will bring you even more intimately in touch with the rhythm of your garden. And it is fun!

We would also like to invite y'all to participate in a mini seed exchange. If you already have some seeds that you've saved in the past, bring them to trade with others. In December we are planning to have a larger seed exchange so we can all share the seed harvest from the skills we learn this weekend!

Join us for this free class!

August Gardening Classes



Last year's fall garden at the Monument



Despite the Heat, August is the perfect time to plan and prepare for your fall garden! Here in Central Texas, fall is almost like another spring, and the fall garden can be just as productive as a spring garden. Come out to the Market every Saturday at 10:30 am for our free gardening classes for guidance and inspiration for your home garden. Here is our schedule for this month:

 

August 4^th – “This Month in the Garden” - Our monthly first Saturday class where we go over the garden To-Do list for the coming weeks.

 

August  11^th – “Seed Saving” with Guest Speaker Heather Kasper. Learn how to harvest your own seed to plant next year!

 

August 18^th – “Backyard Composting”-  Learn how to transform your food and yard waste into nutrient rich organic fertilizer.

 

August 25^th – “Preparing the Soil for a New Garden” - Now is the time to get your yard ready for a fall garden!

 

I hope you will join us!