Pierce County residents can learn how to grow their own food during the 2015 Edible Gardens workshop series, which runs from February through November. The free series of monthly workshops, which are sponsored by Pierce County and the Pierce Conservation District, teach beginning gardeners how to plan a garden, prepare the soil, plant seeds, and harvest the food they’ve grown.
Each workshop is designed to help students throughout the growing season by addressing what needs to be done in the garden that month. The classes combine presentations with hands-on activities.
“Each student’s knowledge will grow along with their garden, as they see their plantings go from seed to table,” said Stephanie Leisle, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities environmental educator. “Attendees are sure to leave the classes excited about planting a garden and harvesting their own food. The collaborative environment and ability to share experiences benefits everyone from first-timers to experienced gardeners.”
Classes are taught by educators from Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, Pierce Conservation District’s Harvest Pierce County program and Tacoma Public Utilities.
Two classes – Fruit Trees and Perennial Edible Gardens – have been added to this year’s series. The popularity of the series, now in its fourth year, has also led to an additional class location in Parkland at the Parkland/Spanaway Library.
Class information
The free monthly classes are held at five locations in Pierce County:
- Puyallup – First Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. at Washington State University Extension Puyallup, 2607 W Pioneer
- Lakewood – Second Wednesdays (except Feb and Nov) from 6-8 p.m. at Lakewood Community Center, 9112 Lakewood Dr. SW
- Parkland – Second Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at Parkland/Spanaway Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S
- Orting – Third Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. at Washington Soldiers Home, 1301 Orting Kapowsin Highway E
- Tacoma – Third Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon at Tagro Conference Center, Cleveland Way near Portland Ave.
Additional schedule and registration information along with class descriptions are available online.
Class Topics
- February—Fruit Trees
- March—Starting From Seeds
- April—Garden Soil 101
- May—Planting and Maintaining Your Summer Vegetable Garden
- June—Garden Bugs, Plant Diseases and Non-Toxic Alternatives
- July—Fall and Winter Gardening
- August—No classes
- September—Composting Basics
- October—Putting the Garden to Bed For the Winter
- November—Perennial Edible Gardens
