A garden is more than just a means of providing food, it is a model of what is possible in a community.
What is organic gardening? How is it different than conventional methods?
Why do it?
Organic gardening, sometimes referred to as sustainable gardening, is a method of working with plants and the ecosystem in your garden, apartment, or house to nurture plants to maturity. Conventional agriculture uses many harmful chemicals to grow food, and focuses on growing the plant rather than nurturing the ecosystem the plant is a part of. As a result, the soil, insects, plants are less than healthy- which is transferred to humans when we eat produce grown in such ways.
We’ll talk about various ways to cut out harmful chemicals in your gardening practices by using: integrated pest management, maintaining healthy soil, using compost, companion planting, and making homemade food based sprays. Organically homegrown food has a higher micronutrient profile, and is healthier for you because it is fresher. By growing your own food, you create a connection with your source of nourishment from the ground up.
The class will be held at Eco Rooftop Garden, a private rooftop garden in Pilsen, where you’ll get to see all discussed practices being directly applied to city gardening. Taste your way through the garden, and come away with an eggshell start of your very own to add to your garden collection.
Location: Eco Rooftop Garden
Time: Sunday 5/27/12 1-2:30pm
Instructor: Andrea Mattson-McGaffey
Cost: $20
