Cupola Barn Farm, N8301 Cty Hwy A, Watertown, WI (View map). The workshop accommodations are rustic, so dress for the weather!
Robert Frost is a member of Sustain Jefferson’s Project Team for Sustainable Food and Energy and owns a small farm business, Someday Gardens, LLC. For the past 4 years Robert and his wife have grown organic vegetables for several local restaurants from plots at and near their home in Johnson Creek, producing 2,000 pounds of compost annually at their home. Robert’s specialities are in small scale agriculture and sustainable suburban gardening using permaculture, edible landscaping, and organic gardening techniques. A primary focus is the building of long term soil fertility literally from the ground up by enhancing natural processes to produce the best quality vegetables to heal both our bodies and our planet.
Meg Kelly has been gardening and farming organically at High Meadow Farm in Jefferson County since 1980. Recently the family gardens at High Meadow Farm have evolved into a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce farm providing fresh, nutritious organic produce to many Jefferson County families. Meg has a lifelong involvement with horticulture and is also a landscape designer with over 15 years experience.
Ellen Klaus never met a patch of soil she didn’t like -- or come to love -- and she’s been cultivating soil for many years, from Chicago urban lots to large plots in Watertown and “lasagna gardens” in her Rock River backyard, with the assistance of husband Mike. She’s a master gardener and coordinated Watertown’s Main Street planting program for several years.
Mike Klaus is a retired Johnson Controls engineer and loves to invent and design things. He has worked on the Sustain Jefferson rain barrel project for three years, tweaking its design toward perfection. Mike has built dozens of rain barrels and conducted several "build" days for Sustain Jefferson. He looks forward to sharing his expertise and exchanging ideas.
John Nichols worked for a commercial apple orchard in the mid 80’s. His interest in apple trees has continued ever since. For the past 20 years he’s maintained apple and pear trees as a hobby. Two summers ago he planted 10 grapes vines and 2 cherry trees to add some variety and is looking forward to their first crop this summer. John also keeps bees on his farm west of Watertown and is a board member of Sustain Jefferson.
Session 1(A)Home Composting: Make Your Soil!
Composting is simple and anyone can do it – seriously! Spend an hour with us to learn the basics of making your own compost at home using your yard and kitchen scraps.
We will cover all major forms of composting – from a pile of leaves in the corner of the yard to an intensive “hot” pile that will hit 150 degrees!
In addition we will cover worm composting, sheet mulching, and basic problem solving.
Instructor: Robert Frost
Session 1(B) Apple Tree Pruning and Grafting
For centuries people have been sharing their favorite apple trees through grafting. After this session you will be able to carry on this tradition.
Topics covered will be a general over view of apple trees, grafting and pruning. Semi dwarfing roots for grafting will be available along with scion from 6 apple varieties.
Please bring gloves, a short, sharp knife and a plastic bag to take the trees home in. You are welcome to bring your own scion wood from a favorite tree if you like.
Additional fee $5.00 / tree root
Instructor: John Nichols
Session 2(A) Build Your Own Rain Barrel
Learn how to build your own 55 gallon rain barrel. Instruction brochure included. For an additional $35, take home your own plastic barrel and kit.
There will be time to pre-drill holes for spigot and intake.
Instructor: Mike Klaus
Session 2(B) Living Soils for Healthy Crops
The soil beneath our feet is literally alive. Join us to learn the basics of soil ecology and its incredible importance to the health and nutrition of your crops.
Understand the real importance of organic matter, why worms make your soil so rich, and if a centipede in your soil is a good or bad thing. (It’s good!)
Techniques on how to build, maintain, and understand deep organic techniques for a truly sustainable soil.
Instructor: Robert Frost
Session 3(A) Potatoes: Grow Hearty Foods at Home
Potatoes have been a garden staple for centuries for one simple reason - there is simply no other way to grow as many calories on as little land with as little effort.
Learn how to grow your own potatoes from a simple plant in a pot to full rows in your garden. We will cover the basics of the various techniques for successfully
growing potatoes in a wide variety of Suburban situations AND we will help you decide WHAT potatoes to grow - boilers, bakers, fryers – and which types to choose
for succulent new potatoes in early summer, to stalwart spuds that will keep well through March in the cellar. Potatoes are SO MUCH more than the Idaho Russet!
Join us and enter a new world of possibilities!!
Instructor: Robert Frost
Session 3(B) The Mighty Mycelium (Mushrooms)
The Mighty Mycelium workshop explores how fungi (mushrooms) can be grown right in your own back yard! Participants will get their hands dirty handling woodchips,
mushroom spawn and other necessities used in growing connoisseur mushrooms. We plan to build a home size bed of Oyster and Winecap mushrooms, while learning all
sorts of interesting things about how mushrooms fit into our environment.
Participants may purchase spawn to take home for their own Mighty Mycelium Mound - $10.00/lb. – discount for larger quantities.
Instructor: Greg David
Lunch!
Vegetarian Potato Leek Soup, Squash Bisque and Bean & Barley Soup, Artisan Bread
$5.00 per person donation
Session 4(A) Organic Gardening 101
Geared to the novice gardener - no experience necessary! This class will teach all the basics of growing your own healthy food. Topics will include: preparing your soil;
which plants to grow and how to start them; which tools to use; how to handle basic pest, weed, and disease problems; and resources to continue your learning.
Garden displays will be on hand.
Instructor: Robert Frost
Session 4(B) Growing and Using Herbs
Learn more about growing perennial and annual herbs in containers and garden beds, for fresh harvests and storage. Culinary, therapeutic and medicinal uses will be discussed,
and we’ll include suggestions for herbal vinegars, oils, sachets and dream pillows.
Instructors: Meg Kelly and Ellen Klaus
Session 5(A) Beyond Tomatoes
Intimidated by new vegetables? Learn how to tackle your fears and broaden your nutritional horizons. We’ll talk about great vegetables to grow beyond the wonderful but
staple tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce. Want to know more about kale, corn mache, eggplant, brussels sprouts, parsnips and more? Learn about growing, storing and using
these vegetables with great recipe ideas as well.
Instructor: Meg Kelly
Session 5(B) Season Extension: Harvest Year Round!
Learn the basics of harvesting FRESH produce throughout the winter -- In Wisconsin! This session will focus on using Cold Frames, Low Tunnels, Hoop Houses, and choosing
cold hardy, low light tolerant vegetables to extend both your growing and harvesting season through the cold dark Wisconsin winters. Salads in December? ...January?
FEBRUARY? Absolutely!
Instructor: Robert Frost
Potato Fair! Buy one seed potato at $1 per seed or discounts for larger amounts. Choose from 10 or more varieties, including fingerlings and storage varieties. Sustain Jefferson's long awaited Potato Recipe Book will also be available!
Once again, Watertown's Tribeca GalleryCafe & Books will have a diverse selection of Gardening books (including many favorites of our workshop instructors) available for purchase throughout the day.
Half day (AM or PM) $50 Full day (5 sessions) $80 (Some sessions require additional payment for workshop materials)
Download your Gardening Workshop sign-up form, fill out and return it to Sustain Jefferson with check or money order to reserve your spot! Space is limited, so don't delay - sign up today!
Current Sustain Jefferson members are eligible for a 10% discount - Download and fill out your Membership Form and include it with with your workshop registration to take advantage of this offer!
Sustain Jefferson
P.O. Box 74
Johnson Creek, WI 53038
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