Category: Workshop

Cultivating Healthy Soil in the Garden

December 12, 2024

In this workshop we’ll explore the basis of all life on earth: Healthy Soil! We’ll explore what soil is made of and the vast importance of soil microbes. We’ll answer these questions and many more: 

• What is soil made of and why does soil chemistry matter for growing healthy gardens?
• What is the function of beneficial soil microbes?
• What are some gardening methods that can help my garden thrive with beneficial soil microbes and healthy soil chemistry?
• How can I compost like an expert, mulch like a superstar and build soil organic matter every day of the year?
• Check out on site composting operations in the demonstration gardens: Earth machines, hot compost, tumblers, sheet mulches and worm bins! Together we will build a compost pile.

Come learn why soil is so important for plant growth and how to build incredible soil. 

Posted in Adult Education, Workshop

Plan & Prepare Your Garden

December 12, 2024

It’s the time of year when gardeners get excited about plotting and planning what they will be planting in their garden. Here on Southern Vancouver Island, good planning makes it possible to harvest produce from our gardens during every month of the year. In this workshop we will cover: 

• Why garden in the first place?
• Get to know your garden site, sun, soil, temperature
• Time and money budgeting
• Choosing what to grow, when to plant it, and when to transition to other crops for year-round growing
• Draw a garden plan!
• Take a mini tour of the Compost Education Centre’s annual veggie garden to see how we’ve planned things out for the season

Posted in Adult Education, Workshop

Yard-Free Composting

December 12, 2024

We’ll cover options that are available for composting without a yard. Surprisingly, there are many, and we’ll discover the benefits and drawbacks to each so you can determine the system that is right for your life & home. We’ll learn about: 

• countertop electric food dehydrators & “composters” 
• private food scrap pick up, municipal food scrap pick up & proper use of greenbins 
• bokashi composting 
• worm composting 

Bring your questions, we’ll have time for Q & A.

Posted in Adult Education, Workshop

Gluten-Free Sourdough

December 12, 2024

Learn the basics of how to make a successful gluten free sourdough starter, which flours are the best for gluten free bread baking, and methods for how to make wholesome home-made loaves of bread. We’ll start by discussing the background of what fermentation actually is, and perhaps even taste some yummy delicacies.

Posted in Adult Education, Workshop

Fermenting Vegetables

December 12, 2024

Did you know that you can not only preserve vegetables, but also make them into sources of healthy bacteria, simply by adding salt? At this workshop, we’ll talk shop about the basics of fermenting vegetables and there will be a demo of how to make sauerkraut. Go away with a recipe and method to make your own batch!

Posted in Adult Education, Workshop

Fermenting Kombucha

December 12, 2024

Start brewing your own yummy, good for your tummy, fermented Kombucha with this crash course.  Having mysterious histories, these fermented, probiotic rich delicacies are known for being full of good things that promote overall digestive wellness. They are delicious and satisfying and there is a great number of ways you can flavor your goods! In this workshop we’ll go over the basics of how to ferment kombucha, and we’ll learn how to create effervescent kombucha with unique flavoring, like purchased kombuchas so often have. 

Posted in Adult Education, Workshop

Container Gardening

December 12, 2024

Growing veggies, flowers and fruits is not only for the garden – growing in containers can be an incredibly rewarding and abundant way to add nourishment and local veg to your meals. In this workshop, learn about what types of containers are the best to use, how to replenish nutrients and choose the right soil, and what varieties of fruit, veg and flowers are best grown in containers.

Posted in Adult Education, Workshop

Hot Water Bath Canning

December 12, 2024

Ever wonder what to do with all those tomatoes? How about the epic amount of beets your neighbor just gifted you? Or just want to Do-It-Yourself and make your own berry jam to enjoy in the dark days of winter? In this workshop we will talk about the basics of safe produce preservation using the hot water bath method of preservation. You’ll get to taste some yummy home canned goodies, and we’ll make a batch of home canned jam together. You will come away with a basic idea of how to can the season’s abundance safely, and have a list of resources to consult for further learning. 

Posted in Adult Education, Workshop

Zero Waste Living

December 12, 2024

Ever dream of a life where you create no waste? With some thought and planning, it’s possible! In this workshop, we’ll explore a typical home – from the bathroom to the kitchen, the garden to the living room, and identify a variety of ways that you can go waste free by making simple changes in your everyday life. At the end of the workshop, we’ll each make a commitment to an action that we will hold each other accountable to in weeks to come. Bring something to write with?

Posted in Adult Education, Workshop

Food Preservation Basics

December 12, 2024

Come learn the basics of how to preserve the summer and autumn abundance. We will learn the basics of dehydrating, we’ll cover how best to freeze foods, store foods, and we’ll learn the science behind hot water bath canning and fermenting too. Preserving foods is not only a delicious way to taste summer in the dark rainy days of winter, but it is also an act of sustainability and creates more security in the food system. 

Posted in Adult Education, Workshop