Part 1: Preparations: Space, Soil, Seeds

May 1 - May 14. Weeks 1 & 2.

Module 1

Make your Space

You don't need ten acres — or even one! — to win your food freedom. We'll explore all the ways you can grow an abundance of delicious and nutritious food right where you are. 

Learn How To:

  • Think outside the garden box--and save $$!

  • Re-purpose materials or stuff you have

  • Find or make alternatives to pricey planters, boxes and trellises

  • Make terraces and creative garden shapes

Module 2 

Build the Soil

Good soil aka black gold is the foundation to good food. But that bagged "garden soil" from the hardware store is a royal rip-off. Let's dig in and find out how to boost the fertility of any "dirt" without expensive amendments.

Learn How To:

  • Increase soil fertility with free/inexpensive materials

  • Convert grass to garden with a sheet mulch

  • Use simple intuitive methods to maintain long-term soil health 

Module 3

Choose your Seeds and Plants

For beginners, seed catalogues and garden centers can be confusing, even overwhelming. We'll help you make the best choices for your climate, location and space. 

Learn How To:

  • Translate the "garden lingo" on a seed packet

  • Figure out exactly what to plant and when

  • Source seeds and plants to save time and $$

Part 2: Design, Plant & Plan Ahead

May 15 - 28. Weeks 3 & 4.

Module 4

What goes Where?

Once you have your space and seeds ready, the next step is deciding where to put what. Whatever the size of your space, we'll show you how to get the most out of it.

Learn How To:

  • Find inspiration for your food forest at home in the natural world

  • Use diversity to encourage cooperation among plants

  • Set up symbiotic relationships where plants help each other 

Module 5

Make a Plan

Just like a forest, your home food forest will grow and produce continuously. In this key module, we show how you can be harvesting a variety of edibles all season long.

Learn How To: 

  • Use a Succession Planting strategy to keep your garden productive

  • Plant densely without competition 

  • Group plants to encourage continuous harvests

Part 3: Maintaining your garden. Pests & Weeds.

May 29 - June 11. Weeks 5 & 6.

Module 9

To Weed or not to Weed? 

Ah, weeds. Is there even such a thing? Well, a weed is simply a plant you don't want in your garden — and that's your prerogative. But weeds are tough and hardy survivors that deserve respect. Let's explore ways we can strike a balance with nature's pioneers.

Learn How To:

  • Create a border of Perennials and fast-growing Annuals to block weeds

  • Design dense plantings crowd out weeds and give them less room to grow

  • Recognize weeds and remove them efficiently when needed

Module 8

Don't Bug Out

The last thing you want is a garden without any bugs. The vast majority of insects are crucial to any healthy ecosystem — and that definitely includes your garden. We'll show you how to attract the bugs you need while keeping the pesky nibblers in check.

Learn How To:

  • Create a habitat for valuable pollinating and pest-control insects

  • Build a balanced ecosystem where pests don't get out of hand

  • Avoid expensive and ineffective sprays (organic ones too)

Part 4: Essentials: Food & Water for your plants.

June 19 - July 3. Weeks 7 & 8.

Module 6

Compost 101

Composting is a basic process of nature. You don't need a fancy plastic spinning thing. It's not difficult, it's not mysterious, and there's a way that works for every garden. 

Learn How To:

  • Determine which compost method works best for you and your space

  • Make a compost pile

  • Keep it balanced

Module 7

Water Wisdom

Water is life.  But too much of it can be just as bad for your plants as too little. We'll show you how to catch, conserve and economize water use while encouraging strong and resilient plants.

Learn How To:

  • Use guerilla gray-water and rain barrel storage to water your plants

  • Reduce run off and soil compaction and increase drainage

  • See and sense when your plants need more water — and when they don't

Part 5a: Eat, Sow, Repeat.

July 6 - July 20. Weeks 9 - 12.

Module 10

Reap your Rewards

Ok, let's eat! By now your food space will be in full swing. We'll go over simple techniques for harvesting and more on succession planting to keep the harvests coming.

Learn How To:

  • Pick your veggies to encourage more production

  • Sow seeds and starters as you harvest to save time 

  • BONUS! RECIPES and PRESERVATION METHODS FOR SPRING/SUMMER

Midsummer Break

July 21 - August 13.
Check-ins available with course instructors.

Part 5b: Eat, Sow, Repeat, continued.

August 14 - 28. Weeks 13 - 15.

Module 11

Planting for the Fall Harvest

Gardening as a pastime might be synonymous with summer, but growing food for freedom goes on even as fall approaches. A fall garden is a spectacular source of beauty and nutrient rich foods. Let's get some.

Learn How To:

  • Select veggies that thrive in cooling temperatures

  • Use existing mature plants as shelter for new seedlings 

  • Re-purpose dying-back summer plants as free fertilizer

Part 6: Save & Prep for next year.

August 29 - October 1. Weeks 16 - 20.

Module 12

Saving Seed

On the path to food sovereignty, saving seed is a critical but often missed step. Only three major corporations control most of the seed supply--and by default what we eat. Take it back. Save seed. We'll show you how easy it is.

Learn How To:

  • Choose the best plants for seed

  • Save seed easily 

  • Store and germinate your seeds

Module 13

Forget the Fall Clean-up! Mulch it and Forget it

Learn How To:

  • Prepare your spring garden in the fall with ease

  • Sheet mulch now and save oodles of time, energy and money next season

  • Provide an over-wintering home for valuable pollinators and soil-building life 

  • BONUS! RECIPES and PRESERVATION METHODS FOR SPRING/SUMMER