Garden Patch 2019 Summer Workshop Series
FREE gardening workshops at the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre’s Garden Patch. All workshops offer a transportation stipend to participants travelling by public transit. We will give $6 cash to cover the bus fare.
Compost: The Story of Soil
Tuesday, May 21st as part of Nature City Festival
5:15-6:15 with the Saskatoon Compost Coaches
In this workshop, Saskatoon Compost Coach Lisa will go in depth about one of her favourite topics, soil! Come and learn some in depth information about soils, what goes on in them and how to keep them healthy.
Plant the Saskatoon Seed Library
Tuesday, May 21st as part of Nature City Festival
6:30-8:00pm with the Saskatoon Seed Library
Our very own Saskatoon Seed Library will be planting this years heirloom crops and needs help. Come down to the Garden Patch to help plant a variety of heirloom vegetables. Packets of Seed Library seeds will be available for pick up this evening.
Chemical Free Gardening
Wednesday, May 22nd
5:00-7:00pm with Sara Williams
Horticulturalist Sara Williams will be hosting this workshop to discuss chemical free gardening. If you have any interest in managing your own gardens without synthetic additives, then this is the workshop for you. Sara will cover various methods and discuss some of the science behind them as well as the benefits of going chem-free. No mater the garden, ornamental or vegetable, this workshop will give you more of the tools you’ll need to be successful.
Reclaim Our Prairie
Thursday, May 23rd as part of Nature City Festival
5:15-6:15pm with John Paul
Come join John Paul in the planting of a variety of native prairie plants in the Garden Patch. John Paul will discuss the importance of growing native species as well as some methods for successful production of these species.
Bees in the Garden
Thursday, May 23rd as part of Nature City Festival
6:30-7:30pm with Jeff Boone & the Saskatoon Horticultural Society
Saskatoon city entomologist Jeff Boone will discuss the basics of urban beekeeping, providing both information for new beekeepers as well as helping answer questions for more experienced beekeepers. This workshop will also look into the importance of native bee species.
Bee Hotels
Saturday, May 25th as part of Nature City Festival
3:00-4:00pm with Bee with Us
Join Bee with Us for an in depth discussion about native bees and their habitats. Help set up a bee hotel in the garden patch and learn all about creating your own bee friendly habitats and hotels in urban spaces.
Gardening in the Shade
Wednesday, May 29th
5:30-7:00pm with Vanessa Young
The three basic requirements we learn about when growing plants are water, soil and sun, but what if you have a shady backyard? Join Vanessa Young in the Garden Patch as she discusses the plants and gardening methods to make even a shady backyard a green haven. Ask questions and take a look at our demonstration gardens for more ideas for your own yard space.
Container Gardening
Wednesday, June 5th at the Askîy Project Garden (1202 Ave. L S.)
5:30-8:00pm with the Askîy Project
Urban gardening can be a challenge when space is limited or soils are in need of repair before they can be planted into. Join the Askîy Project interns as they discuss the ins-and-outs of container gardening. Learn about choosing the right container, the right soils, and the best plants to grow in containers. This workshop will be hosted at the Askîy garden, located at 1202 Ave L South.
Flower Gardening 101
Saturday, June 8th
1:30-3:00pm with Vanessa Young
Flowers can add colour and beauty to any yard, come and learn about designing and maintaining your own flower garden. Master gardener Vanessa Young will introduce some of the most popular and best flowers to start out with. Ask questions and check out the Garden Patch’s demonstration gardens for ideas for your own garden space.
Saskatchewan’s Traditional Foods
Wednesday, June 12th
5:30-7:00pm with Sandra Walker
Author of The Path to Wild Food: Edible Plants and Recipes for Canada, Sandra Walker, will be hosting a workshop all about the natural edible plants of Saskatchewan in this Garden Patch workshop. Come join Sandra as she introduces many of this land’s native foods, where to find them, and ways to eat them. Sandra will also have copies of her book available for purchase for $26.25.
Bokashi and Vermicomposting
Wednesday, June 19th
5:30-7:00pm with the Saskatoon Compost Coaches
Composting is a fascinating topic with many methods. In this workshop, the Saskatoon Compost Coaches will guide you through the basics of both Bokashi and Vermicomposting. Come learn all about how to compost with meat & bones through fermentation and about composting with Red Wiggler worms.
Container Gardening
Wednesday, June 26th at the Askîy Project Garden (1202 Ave. L S.)
5:30-8:00pm with the Askîy Project
Urban gardening can be a challenge when space is limited or soils are in need of repair before they can be planted into. Join the Askîy Project interns as they discuss the ins-and-outs of container gardening. Learn about choosing the right container, the right soils, and the best plants to grow in containers. This workshop will be hosted at the Askîy garden, located at 1202 Ave L South.
How to Save Tomato Seeds
Wednesday, August 7th
5:30-8:00pm with the Saskatoon Seed Library
Join the Saskatoon Seed Library in the Garden Patch as they harvest their heirloom tomatoes and prepare the seeds for storage. This workshop will teach you everything you need to know about saving tomato seeds from any variety and the best methods for what you are doing. Questions about other vegetable seeds can be answered at this event, so bring your questions!
Annual Garden Patch Community Barbeque
Wednesday, August 14th
3:00-7:00pm with the SFBLC & Garden Patch Staff
The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre and the Garden Patch welcomes you and your family to join us as we celebrate our annual Community BBQ! Join the Garden Patch staff for an afternoon of games, face painting, family activities and a free BBQ dinner. Everyone is welcome.
Hot Composting
Wednesday, August 21st
5:30-7:00pm with the Saskatoon Compost Coaches
Hot composting is a quick & easy way to get through your compostable materials. With this method, you can more quickly turn over your piles and have more compost ready to use for your backyard. Come join the Saskatoon Compost Coaches in this workshop to learn all about hot composting.
Saving Wildflower Seeds
Wednesday, August 28th
5:30-7:00pm with Blazing Star Seeds
Join Renny Grilz of Blazing Star Seeds in this workshop all about saving wild seeds. Learn about local wild species, where to find them and how to recognize if they’re ready to be harvested. This workshop will also teach you some of Blazing Star Seeds best tips and tricks for making the most out of your harvest.
Composting 101
Wednesday, September 11th
5:30-7:00pm with the Saskatoon Compost Coaches
So you want to learn about compost. Join the Saskatoon Compost Coaches in this workshop to learn the basics of what composting is, how to compost, and why it is so important. Take a tour of the Garden Patch composting system and get a feel for what you can do once you become a composter too.
Harvest the Saskatoon Seed Library
Wednesday, September 18th
5:30-8:00pm with the Saskatoon Seed Library
Join us in the Garden Patch to harvest this years Seed Library garden. We will harvest a variety of heirloom vegetables and teach you about saving seeds from your own garden. This activity is suitable for all ages.
