Canadian Organic Growers Workshop Series 2002


"INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIC GARDENING": an eight-part workshop series

Wednesday evenings 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. March 27th through May 15th, co-presented by the Canadian Organic Growers and the City of Ottawa. Note that there is a fee for these workshops of $90.00.

Location: Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Somerset Street East (two blocks east of King Edward)
Registration at: Sandy Hill Community Centre (613) 564-1062

Registration for COG's Introduction to Organic Gardening includes a set of the COG garden reference series and the colorful 18"x 25" poster "Seasonal Guide to Gardening Organically."

Here is the full course outline:

Workshop 1 ( March 27) - Organic Gardening: Principles and Concepts, with Tom Manley
This introductory session explores the basic principles of organic growing. Topics of discussion will include biological approaches to soil and plant life, bio-diversity and contrasts with conventional growing. This background information will put into context the skills and knowledge learned throughout the workshop series.

Workshop 2 (April 3) - Soil and Composting, with Phil Reilly
This workshop outlines the role of soils in supporting plant growth. Modifying soils to conserve moisture or improve drainage will be discussed. Plants need many nutritional elements for healthy growth. Organic sources, with a special focus on home composting techniques will be outlined.

Workshop 3 (April 10) - Vegetables and Herbs, with Bill Bitz
Workshop topics will include: seed starting and transplanting; differences between tropical and temperate vegetables; using compost; basics of crop rotation; watering techniques; weed and insect control; vegetables and herbs as ornamentals.

Workshop 4 (April 17) - Organic Pest Control: Beneficial Insects and Companion Planting, with George Bushell
You will learn organic gardening approaches that keep insects in balance, such as rotation, succession planting, bio-diversity, inter-planting, beneficial insects and plant nutrition. Specific garden pests will be examined. A slideshow will be used for illustration.

Workshop 5 (April 24) - Balcony and Container Growing, with Tony Hayton
The unique challenges of container growing will be explored in this course which will be of particular interest to apartment dwellers and those with limited growing space. Appropriate containers and planting mediums will be discussed.

Workshop 6 (May 1) - Alternative Ground Covers and Lawn Care, with Penny Reed
Environmentally friendly approaches to maintaining your lawn organically will be discussed in this session. The workshop will offer solutions for problem growth areas as well as alternatives to traditional turf grass.

Workshop 7 (May 8) -Tree and Shrub Care, with Karla Narraway
This workshop will assist you in proper site and plant selections for your gardens plus methods of soil preparation, mulching, fertilizing and disease control. The pruning techniques covered will keep shrubs and trees healthy.

Workshop 8 (May15) - Environmental Ornamentals, with Gillian Boyd
The focus will be on ways to achieve an attractive and environmentally friendly garden through the use native plants, xeriscaping (dry land gardening), and naturalized plantings that include annuals and perennials.