January 23–March 23
Classes are subject to change, and pre-registration is required. Register online at www.duluthcommunityed.org or by calling (218) 728-7463. For questions about class details, please call DCGP at (218) 722-4583.
Fresh Fruit Canning for Beginners
Thursday, January 26; 6:00–8:00pm
Woodland Middle School
Instructor: Jamie Zak, UW-Extension certified Master Food Preserver
Class fee: $10 registration, plus $15 materials fee
Child care and tuition assistance available upon request – contact DCGP office (218) 722-4583.
Come spend a wintry Saturday morning learning how to preserve your own jams, sauces, chutneys, and marmalades. Class participants will learn all the skills and safety measures involved in the water bath canning method using the best quality, seasonally appropriate fruits available in stores at this time. This will be a good way to prepare for busy days of summer bounty ahead. Products will be divided among participants.
Fruit Tree Pruning for Beginners
Saturday, February 4 (Choose AM or PM Session)
Restorative Pruning Session I, 9:30–12:00; Session II, 1:00–4:00
UMD Campus and UMD Seedling Trial Orchard (participants will be contacted with details and directions)
Instructor: Cindy Hale, UMD Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP)
Class Fee: $15
Tuition assistance available upon request – contact DCGP office (218) 722-4583.
Instructor Cindy Hale is a well-known local orchardist, farmer, researcher and advocate for restoration and planting of orchards featuring heritage varieties of historical importance to our region. This class is appropriate for participants of all skill levels and will cover the techniques used for restorative pruning of older fruit trees. Class will begin with brief classroom instruction, followed by hands-on work at the UMD Seedling Trial Orchard. Dress for the weather!
The UMD Seedling Trial Orchard was planted in 1913 and abandoned in the 1970s. Restoration work began in 2009 through the UMD Sustainable Agriculture Project, and they sold their first apples last fall. For more information on SAP orchard projects: http://www.d.umn.edu/cscd/sap/main/index.php
‘Gardening 101’ Workshop
Saturday, February 11; 2:00–4:00pm
Growing Your Own Plants from Seed
DCGP Office, Damiano Center (206 West 4th Street, Suite 214)
Instructor: Marian Syrjamaki-Kuchta
Class Fee: $10, $5 materials fee
Child care and tuition assistance available upon request – contact DCGP office (218) 722-4583.
Participants will learn the basics of starting seeds indoors for your own garden transplants. This class will focus on starting onions and leeks from seed (they should be started in February) but the same skills can be applied to starting other plants indoors as well. Marian, an experienced community gardener, will share her favorite tips and tricks for success. Then get your hands dirty sowing your own seeds to take home. Seeds and other materials provided, or bring your own to get started. The ‘Gardening 101’ workshop series is designed to provide hands-on learning and support for gardeners, by gardeners, in an informal setting.
Fruit Tree Pruning for Beginners
Sunday, February 26; 1:00–4:00pm
Training Young Trees
Hillside Public Orchard (6th Ave E and 10th Street)
Instructor: Cindy Hale, UMD Sustainable Agriculture Project
Class Fee: $15
Tuition assistance available upon request – contact DCGP office (218) 722-4583.
Instructor Cindy Hale is a well-known local orchardist, farmer, researcher and advocate for restoration and planting of orchards featuring heritage varieties of historical importance to our region. This class is appropriate for participants of all skill levels and will cover the techniques used for training young fruit trees for optimum health and production as they mature. We’ll begin with brief classroom instruction, followed by hands-on work at the Hillside Public Orchard. Dress for the weather!
The Hillside Public Orchard was initially planted in Fall 2010, with new trees added in 2011. It also features other perennial edibles and a butterfly garden, open to everyone in the community. For more information on the Hillside Public Orchard: hillsidepublicorchard@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.
From Seed to Sauce
Thursday, March 1; 6:00–8:00pm
Planning your Garden for Food Preservation
Woodland Middle School
Instructors: Jamie Zak and Katie Hanson, UW-Extension certified Master Food Preservers
Class fee: $10, plus $15 materials fee
Child care and tuition assistance available upon request – contact DCGP office (218) 722-4583.
Prepare for warm days ahead in the garden with Katie and Jamie, two experienced gardeners and master food preservers. Participants will determine quantities to plant and annual food needs based on family food preferences, then prepare for the harvest by learning safe water-bath and pressure canning methods using tested recipes for fruits and vegetables. Products will be divided among participants.
Beet Basics
Thursday, March 8; 6:00–8:00pm
Damiano Center Kitchen (206 West 4th Street, downstairs)
Instructor: Francois Medion
Class fee: $25 (includes food)
Child care and tuition assistance available upon request – contact DCGP office (218) 722-4583.
Beets are a nutritional workhorse, loaded with iron, folic acid, B vitamins, and even vitamin C. Their bright color and sweetness make them an exceptionally satisfying mealtime staple throughout the wintry regions of the world. Americans often experience them as pickled relish or a boiled and buttered side dish, but there are many tastier ways to prepare them (in our instructor’s opinion). Learn optimum techniques and simple recipes for making the most of this delightfully earthy vegetable, with experienced gardener, baker, and cook Francois Medion. There will be additional dishes to sample and recipes to take home.
Backyard Fruit Maintenance
Saturday, March 17; 9–11:00am
Winter Pruning and Care
Sundberg residence (2507 Lauren Rd, Duluth. Call 525-4133 for directions)
Instructor: Gerald Sundberg
Class Fee: $15
Tuition assistance available upon request – contact DCGP office (218) 722-4583.
Late winter into early spring is an ideal time to prune your fruit trees, shrubs, and vines for a healthy and abundant fruit harvest. Learn basic techniques of maintenance pruning, and a time-tested, spring to-do list from experienced backyard fruit grower Gerald Sundberg. Indoor instruction and handouts will be followed by hands-on instruction at the instructor’s greenhouse and grounds. Dress for the weather!
