Spring is definitely springing here in central North Carolina. And with it, come all the good things growing up from the soil around us. At Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, we’re gearing up for spring with a series of workshops at our Community Learning Gardens to help ensure that gardeners—from beginners to experienced green thumbs—get the most yield from this season’s bounty.
First up, on Thursday, March 31, Clinical Herbalist Lisa Fouladbash will teach the basics of growing your own herbs at home at a “Growing Medicinal Herbs” workshop at Geer Street Learning Garden in Durham. from 5:30 to 7 p.m. She'll help envision your herb garden, explain growing conditions and planting methods of common herbs and discuss medicinal herb actions. Participants will receive a variety of medicinal seeds to take home. Gardeners in Raleigh will get their chance at the presentation when it comes to Camden Street Learning Garden on Thursday, April 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Also in April, the popular ”Seed to Supper” beginning gardener class returns to both Camden Street and Geer Street Learning Gardens. This six-week course will teach individuals how to grow their own fruits and vegetables, build backyard gardens, and sustain and enjoy their harvest. The class will run Saturdays, from April 2 until Mary 7, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Pests are a fact in life in the garden, but the Food Shuttle is here to help with workshops coming up at both Camden and Geer Street Learning Gardens. “Integrated Pest Management” will be held at Geer Street on Saturday, April 30 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Local agriculture agent, Dr. Janel Ohletz Ph.D., will explain the many ways to manage pests within an ecological framework. On Saturday, May 21, “Integrated Pest Management: Creating a Healthy System” will be presented from 10 a.m. to noon at Camden Street, offering the best way to avoid pests and disease is to maintain a healthy garden. “You can avoid the bad by bringing in the good.”
To sign up for any class held at Camden Street Learning Garden, located at 811 East Davie Street in Raleigh, email Laura Maule. Email Mikey Cristiano to sign up for classes held at Geer Street Learning Garden, located at 110 East Geer Street in Durham. For information on more upcoming workshops, check out the Events page on the Food Shuttle website.