Come join us to Learn How to Grow Vegetables from Seed to Harvest.

We will hold Seasonally Relevant gardening classes every other Saturday at Ovenell Park Public Farm at no cost. All materials will be provided at no charge. Classes are from 10:00AM-11:AM every other Saturday. Please bring weather appropriate clothing, closed toe waterproof boots, and gardening gloves. Classes are subject to cancelation.

RSVP for Classes

Register to teach a class or host a tour of your farm

Do you want to share your love of gardening/farming with the community? Reach out to teach a class or host a tour of your farm!

Session 1 – Introduction & Accessible Gardening Basics

Feb 7th, 21st

• Welcome, community building, tour of the garden.

• Discussion of mobility-friendly garden setups: raised beds, container gardens, adaptive tools.

• Safety and comfort: stretching, pacing, hydration, using stools/kneeling pads.

• Activity: personalize tools with grips, label raised beds with large-print signs.

• Understanding the growing season in your region.

• Choosing accessible crops (easy to sow, low maintenance, high yield)

• Companion planting and succession planting basics

• Activity: group crop plan on a large visual calendar.

Session 2 – Seeds & Seed Starting

March 7th, 21st

• Seed anatomy and germination explained simply.

• Understanding seed types, seed selection, reading seed packet label

• Low-impact methods for planting (seed tapes, dibblers, wide-row sowing, pre-sprouted seeds).

• Plant spacing and differences between transplanting and direct seeding

• Activity: start seeds in trays/pots using lightweight soil mixes.

Session 3 – Soil Health & Preparation

April 4th, 18th

• Basics of healthy soil: structure, compost, water retention

• Bagged soil mixes, what is the difference between potting soil, compost, garden soil, raised bed soil, chicken and steer manure, soil building conditioner, coco coir, peat moss, ect

• Fertilizer types and differences (liquid, pelitized, organic, mixing your own. Meeting nutrient needs of various crop types.

• Low impact methods of soil preparation

• Activity: mix compost into raised beds, add mulch, learn how to “feed” the soil.

Session 4 – Transplanting & Direct Sowing

May 2nd, 16th

• When seedlings are ready to move outdoors

• Ergonomic techniques for transplanting.

• Activity: transplant seedlings into raised beds; sow quick crops (radishes, greens).

Session 5 – Plant Care & Maintenance

June 6th, 20th

• Weeding, watering, harvesting

• Thinning, staking, pruning—done gently and with adaptive strategies.

• Identifying healthy vs stressed plants.

• Weeding Techniques, strategies

• Activity: prune tomatoes/peas, set up trellises, thin greens.

• Water needs of common vegetables.

• Accessibility tools: drip irrigation, self-watering containers, ergonomic watering cans.

• Activity: install/adjust irrigation; practice watering techniques

Session 6 – Pest & Disease Management

July 18th

• Introduction to common pests and diseases.

• Diagnosing plant diseases

• Low-impact integrated pest management (IPM): beneficial insects, barriers, companion planting.

• Activity: Reading pesticide, fungicide, and herbicide labels, applying neem oil on plants

Session 7 – Harvesting Techniques

Aug 1st, 15th, 29th

• Recognizing when crops are ready

• Low-impact harvesting methods: scissors, small baskets, seated harvesting.

• Activity: harvest leafy greens, herbs, or early vegetables together.

Session 8 – Celebration & Reflection

September 12th

• Group harvest, potluck, or meal using garden produce.

• Sharing reflections: what worked, what could be easier, what was most enjoyable.

• Planning next season: seed saving, soil prep, community goals.

• Activity: seed swap & garden celebration.
  

2026 Class Schedule