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Community Workshops 2013
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Free WorkshopsMost workshops take place in the vineyards, orchards, fields and demonstration gardens. Be prepared to be outside. No registration required for free workshops. Click on the link for more information about the workshop and the instructors. A $10 donation is suggested for these workshops. |
Fee WorkshopsThese workshops are more in-depth and hand-on learning opportunities. Registration is required! Space is limited. Click on the workshop link to register! |
Feb. 16 10:30-Noon
Growing Apples and Pears
We will discuss planting, growing techniques, and pruning of apples & pears. Techniques will be covered for pruning newly planted dwarfs to renovating older trees you’ve inherited. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
Feb. 16 1:30-3:30pm
Winter Propagation; Grafting and Hardwood Cuttings
Winter Propagation; Grafting and Hardwood Cuttings
Propagation of woody plants is more challenging than starting seeds, but fun and easy. In this two hour workshop, we'll look at propagation during the dormant season, through hardwood cuttings and grafting. Registration is required, $30 workshop fee.
Feb. 23 10:30-Noon
We will discuss planting, growing techniques, and pruning of apples & pears. Techniques will be covered for pruning newly planted dwarfs to renovating older trees you’ve inherited. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
Feb. 23 1:30-3:00
Growing cherries, plums, peaches and apricots can be rewarding and challenging in our maritime climate. We will discuss planting, growing techniques, and pruning of stone fruits. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
March 2 10:30-Noon
Designing and Planting an Edible Landscape
Designing and Planting an Edible Landscape
Integrating edibles and ornamentals can make a stunning and productive landscape. Come explore what’s possible in the realm of edibles. Selection, design and cultural practices will all be covered. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
March 9 10:30-Noon
Growing Fruit: Espalier
Growing Fruit: Espalier
If you’re considering creating a Belgian fence or growing Cherries trained to a fan, this is for you. Construction considerations, training, which plants work and those that don’t - all will be covered. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
March 9 1:30-3:00
Growing Grapes
Growing Grapes
We will discuss growing grapes in cool climates for wine and eating. Cultural practices including soil requirements, pruning techniques, pest management and harvesting will be covered. Workshop will take place in the vineyard. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
March 16 10:30-Noon
Northwest gardeners can grow an incredible variety of fruits. This workshop will focus on the smaller fruiting plants; blueberries, raspberry and blackberries, strawberries, and kiwis. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
March 23 10:30-Noon
Repeat of Growing Apples and Pears
Repeat of Growing Apples and Pears
We will discuss planting, growing techniques, and pruning of apples & pears. Techniques will be covered for pruning newly planted dwarfs to renovating older trees you’ve inherited. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
March 23 1:30-3:00
Growing cherries, plums, peaches and apricots can be rewarding and challenging in our maritime climate. We will discuss planting, growing techniques, and pruning of stone fruits. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
March 30 10:30-Noon
In this workshop, we will discuss ways to have a beautiful and productive food and/or ornamental garden while being sensitive to the environment. Topics will include plant selection, reducing water usage, reducing chemical usage and integrated pest management, weed control, and pest control. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
March 30 1:30-3:00
Possibly the most important set of knowledge one can learn in the quest to eat more locally is growing dry beans and grains. Enhance your pantry and your life by learning the basics of growing your own storable staple crops. We will discuss variety selection, planting, maintenance, harvest, threshing, storage, and cooking methods. This class is intended for gardeners of all levels, with an emphasis on low-tech methods and hand tools. An optional instruction manual and seeds will be available for purchase for those who are ready to get rolling. This workshop is taught by Krista Rome of the Back Yard Beans and Grains Project. Donations welcome
April 6 10:30-Noon
Grow Your Own - the Locavore’s Garden
Grow Your Own - the Locavore’s Garden
Vegetable gardening is more than planting seeds. Learn how to successfully grow a wide variety of produce throughout the year, including how to get started, planning your plantings, managing your soil and fertility inputs, and timing for succession harvests. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
April 6 1:30-3:30
Starting your own vegetable transplants at home can save you money and expand the varieties you can plant. In this workshop we'll look at seed starting mediums, containers, sanitation, and fertility. This will be a hands on experience; you will go home with a flat of seeds ready to grow, and the skills to grow them successfully. Registration required, $30 workshop fee.
April 13 10:30-Noon
Gardening with Northwest Native Plants
Gardening with Northwest Native Plants
Using our rich variety of plants native to the Northwest can enhance your enjoyment of your garden. Learn which plants to use to encourage wildlife, beautify problem areas, and take the work out of gardening. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
April 13 1:30-3:00
You can grow tree fruits and berries using organic practices, even in our challenging climate. Learn how to keep your trees and berry plants healthy and productive. We’ll discuss the common pest and disease issues of our area, and how to deal with them effectively. Other topics will include soil and weed management and use of compost and mulches in fruit growing. Be prepared to be outside.
April 21 (Sunday) Noon-3:00
Come to the Farm Center and build a home scale hoop house for growing tomatoes and peppers. Materials will be pre-cut, so we'll just be putting it together. When you register, you will also have the opportunity to purchase harder to find materials to build your own home hoop house. Registration required. $30 workshop fee. Space is limited.
May 18 10:30-Noon
You can grow great tomatoes and peppers in the Pacific Northwest! Use of high tunnels and hoop houses can bring you success in crops that often fail out in the open. We’ll discuss hoop house construction, planting, pruning and training, and management issues. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
June 8 10:30-Noon
We will look at shoot positioning, summer pruning, bunch thinning, water management, and disease management. All of these issues are critical to the production of quality grapes for eating and wine. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
June 29 10:30-Noon
At the peak of summer is the best time to plan and plant a winter garden. Here in the Northwest, it’s possible to grow and harvest vegetable almost year round. We’ll discuss the types of plants you can grow, special fertility and soil requirements for winter gardening, and the use of cloches and frost blankets to extend the harvest. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
April 9 at Ciao Thyme
Farm to Table Workshop and Dinner at Ciao Thyme
More information coming soon!
August 10 10:30-Noon
Summer Pruning Stone Fruits
Summer Pruning Stone Fruits
Just after harvest is an ideal time to prune your stone fruit trees; cherries, peaches, plums and apricots. It is also a great time to evaluate how your trees have grown. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
August 18 11:00-5:00
Summer Harvest Day
Late summer is the pinnacle of fruit and veggies in the garden. Come tour the Farm Center's growing fields and taste the wonderful bounty that can be grown here. We'll have over 45 fruit and vegetables to sample, and some creative ways of tasting them. Admission fee, registration not required.
September 14 10:30-Noon
When is it ripe? How do I store it? These are two of the most commonly asked questions in the fall. At this workshop, we will discuss ways to determine if fruit is ready to be picked, proper picking, and best storage methods. We will also discuss fall and winter orchard chores to help keep your trees at their healthiest. No registration required. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
September 21 10:30-Noon
It’s more complicated than just picking! We will talk about pre-harvest issues: verasion, leaf stripping, bird control, and how rain affects your crop. We will also check sugar levels, pH, and titratable acids of the fruit before harvesting. And last, but not least, we will finish the afternoon talking about the first steps involved in your grape crush. No registration required. Be prepared to be outside.
September 21 1:30-3:00
This is a chance for new and experienced wine grape growers to have a look at many of the new varieties that are of interest in our climate. Fruit will be available for sampling. Numerous wines will be opened for discussion. Some made at Cloud Mountain and some by NW Wine Institute. Several reds and several whites. All made from grapes grown at Cloud Mountain Farm Center. If you have fruit or wines you want to share, you are welcome to bring samples. Please let us know what you are bringing! Registration required, must be 21 or over to participate. $10 workshop fee.
October 5 10am-5pm &
October 6 11am-4pm
Annual Fall Fruit Festival
An annual event for over 2 decades, we have close to 200 varieties of common and uncommon fruits, ciders, nuts, plus rare fruit jellies and sauces for you to taste and enjoy. The best part is that they are all fruits you can grow in NW Washington! It is quite a culinary education. Live music provides a pleasant background for this event. Julia’s Pumpkin Patch features U-pick and we-pick pumpkins and gourds for the festival and throughout the month of October. This is a fun-filled family event that many people attend - we hope you will join us! Admission fee, no registration required.
October 20 (Sunday) 1:00-3:30
November 10 (Sunday) 1:00:3:30 (repeat)
You’ve asked for it, here it is! In this 3 hour workshop, we’ll demonstrate the basic procedures for fermenting fresh cider into hard cider. We’ll look at equipment needs, we’ll discuss apple varieties and blends, yeasts and sanitation. And yes, we will be tasting some hard cider, too. Registration required, limited space, must be 21 or over to participate. $25 workshop fee.