2024 Events lineup

Join well-known local Horticulturalist Connie Kuramoto as she walks you through the basics of growing food in one week of summer evenings at the off-grid Doighouse Earthship Inspired Learning Center in Qualicum Bay.

You will learn the basics of gardening in hands-on activities throughout the week, so wear your gardening clothes, dress for the weather, bring your sun hat or rain hat and jacket, and gardening gloves, as well as your refillable water bottle.
The information you get in these classes can be used right away, and there will still be time to put in a fall and winter garden when you finish the classes, using what you will learn.

Monday, July 11, 2023 - First Class - Soil

You will learn:

- Simple Soil Testing - How to figure out what type of soil you have and what that means. 

- Basic Soil Building -How to improve any soil, no matter what it’s type. 

- Building Garden Beds - How to build your soil, and garden bed at the same time. 

- Maintaining Fertility - Ways to keep your soil productive and how to save on watering. 

Kids Activities Day Kids Activities Day One:

- Kids can feel and observe the soil and look for bugs, and other signs of life.

- Help do the soil test.No skills are needed. 

- Help gather materials for and help to build a garden bed. 

Tuesday, July 12, 2023 - Second Class – Basic Gardening Tools and Techniques

You will learn:

- Garden Planning – Identify the garden vegetables that you will grow. Factors include time and labor, expected yield, ease of growing, garden companions and rotations. 

- Irrigation – Look at different irrigation systems and discuss the pros and cons of each one. 

- Plant Protection – How to protect your plants from extremes of heat, cold, drought, and pests. 

- Plant Health – Maintaining strong, vigorous plans that resist insect and disease problems. 

Kids Activities Day Two:

- Treasure Hunt 

- Identify the veggies in the garden. 

- Color or draw their favorite veggies. 

Wednesday, July 13 – Third Class – Growing Berries 

You will learn:

- Choosing Plants – How to select plants that will do well in your yard.  Timing and pollination. 

- Managing Small Fruits – Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Grapes. 

- Pruning and Propagating Berries – How to prune for best yields, and how to make more plants. 

- Plant Health – Common insect and disease problems you should know about, and how to prevent and manage them. 

Kids Activities Day Three:

- Color or draw their favourite fruits. 

- Water plants with watering can, hoses, and measure water applications. 

- Sample dried fruit

Thursday July 14th – Fourth Class – Managing Fruit Trees

You will learn:

- Choosing Plants – Factors to consider include disease resistance, size, rootstock, and pollination. 

- Correct Planting Techniques – Best practices for planting trees and shrubs. 

- Basic Pruning – An introduction to pruning fruit trees, and berry bushes. 

- Plant Health Management – How to manage your home orchard to prevent pest and disease problems and what to do if they happen.

Kids Activities Day Four:

- Color or draw favorite fruits.

- Help plant fruit tree or berry bush.

Friday July 15th – Fifth Class – Harvesting and Feasting

You will learn:

- Saving Seed – Which seeds can you save, and which should you buy 

- Harvest – Learn when a vegetable should be harvested, and how to best harvest your vegetables for the best storage and processing success. 

- Preserving – Quick tips for preserving your harvest. 

- Feasting – Bring your favorite veggie dishes to share or eat the ones we make. 

Kids Activities Day Five:

- Help harvest food. 

- Taste test and judge recipes.