Open enrollment has begun for the Spring 2010 Urban Gardener Certificate Program. The class, Wednesdays from 6:30-9, February 24th through March 31st, is a great introduction to basic yard and greenhouse gardening skills appropriate for high density, small lot neighborhoods–conveniently much like those on Lansing’s Eastside. Interested? Email allisonb@allenneighborhoodcenter.org to request an electronic application, or come in to the center for a hard copy.
Here is a sneak peek at the tentative curriculum for the upcoming course:
Feb 24 Introductions& Orientation: What your plants need from you; Urban and Community Gardening
Mar 3 Vegetable Gardening (presented by Gary Heilig, Ingham Co. horticultural educator)
Mar 10 Growing in the GardenHouse (seed starting and other garden labs); Volunteering in the GardenHouse Mar 17 Soil, Compost, and Bed Preparation
Mar 24 “Landscaping the Sustainable Eastside Home: Garden Design for Home Energy Savings, Water Conservation, and Food ProductionClass.” a presentation by Eastside resident and gardener Matt Smar, held at Foster Community Center.
Mar 31 Garden Maintenance: Watering, Weeding, Fertilizing, and Pest and Disease Control.
PLUS…each student will attend a minimum of 3 gardening skills workshops between now and next spring!
Applicants to the Urban Gardening Certification Program agree to:
•Attend at least 5 of the 6 classes AND at least 3 workshops (certification is contingent on attending at least 5 classes and the 3 workshops)
• 40 hours of volunteer staffing at the Hunter Park Community GardenHouse or working with eastside community gardening projects following this course.
• Assist, as time and energy allow, other gardeners on one’s facing block.
• Pay materials costs of $20/30/40*, due no later than at first class meeting.
*Enrollment space is limited with preference given to Eastside residents (48912 zip code residents pay $20/ other Lansing residents pay $30/ outside Lansing$40).
