Come learn the basics of how to preserve the abundance from your garden or local farmers. We will learn the basics of dehydrating making use of the Compost Education Centre’s two solar dryers (which are available for loan!) We’ll also cover freezing, storing, and hot water bath canning. 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.
GET INVOLVED
Book an Adult Workshop
Gain new skills and knowledge with the Compost Education Centre! Learn more about our classes. Looking to register for one of our public workshops? Click here.
We are happy to come to your organization and share knowledge about the topics listed below. Online options are also possible, and workshops can be delivered to your group on Wednesdays through Saturdays. Daytime offerings are preferred, but evenings are also possible.
Custom workshops are also available. Please be in touch using the form below to share what you are looking for. Composting Basics, Worm Composting, and Soil Life workshops can be shortened for a one hour-long “lunch and learn” format.
Workshops
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Food Preservation Basics (onsite)
Contact for price quote · 1-2 hrs
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Seedling Starting
Contact for price quote · 1-2 hrs
Learn simple techniques for analysing your soil quality through this hands-on workshop
We’ll measure the physical and biological quality of soil using the following practical tools you can also use at home:
- Soil texture test
- Soil aggregation test (slake test)
- Water infiltration rate
- Earthworm count
- Rizosheath assessment
- Nodulation of legumes
Knowing these details can help inform next steps for stewarding your soil, and provide important baseline information for your gardening journey.
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Practical Tools for Measuring Soil Health
Contact for price quote · 1-2 hrs
Learn simple techniques for analysing your soil quality through this hands-on workshop
We’ll measure the physical and biological quality of soil using the following practical tools you can also use at home:
- Soil texture test
- Soil aggregation test (slake test)
- Water infiltration rate
- Earthworm count
- Rizosheath assessment
- Nodulation of legumes
Knowing these details can help inform next steps for stewarding your soil, and provide important baseline information for your gardening journey.
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Putting the Garden to Bed
Contact for price quote · 1-2 hrs
Fall is the time to put the garden to rest. Whether you have overwintering crops in the vegetable gardens, perennials that need pruning back and tucking in, autumn is the time to ensure the soil is protected from winter winds and rains.
In this workshop we’ll cover the following:
- the best techniques for building soil all winter long
- preferred mulches to protect soils
- vegetable crops that overwinter well
- which crops need which type of insulation and winter care
- making compost in cooler temperatures
- wintertime garden maintenance
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Cultivating Healthy Soil in the Garden
Contact for price quote · 2 hrs
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.
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Gluten-Free Sourdough
Contact for price quote · 2 hrs
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.
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Fermenting Vegetables
Contact for price quote · 2 hrs
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!
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Fermenting Kombucha
Contact for price quote · 1-1.5 hrs
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.
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Container Gardening
Contact for price quote · 1-2 hrs
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.
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Hot Water Bath Canning
Contact for price quote · 2 hrs
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.
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Food Preservation Basics (offsite)
Contact for price quote · 1-2 hrs
Come learn the basics of how to preserve the abundance from your garden or local farmers. 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.
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Planning Your Year-Round Veggie Garden
Contact for price quote · 2 hrs
Here in Victoria good planning makes it possible to harvest produce from our gardens during every month of the year. Knowing when to sow seeds is important. But it’s just as crucial to know when and how to transition one crop to another. This presentation will show you how to plan to grow year-round, care for your soil, protect your crops in winter, and we’ll even touch on pests and diseases!