Grow What You and Your Family Like to Eat - Spring Garden Workshops at the Great Par

Ready to dig in the garden again?  The Orange County Great Park launches its spring 2010 Garden Workshop series with five exciting classes to show you how to cultivate a garden in your backyard.  Whether you are a novice or a pro, you will enjoy learning the “A to Z’s” of growing tomatoes, the cool tools you’ll need to garden and the varieties of fruit trees suitable for backyard growing.  The five free Saturday morning workshops are from 10 a.m. to Noon, March 13th through May 15th.

“We are excited to kick off our 2010 spring garden workshop series,” said Larry Agran, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation. “While we are preparing to open community gardens, we are educating the community on gardening.”

The Orange County Great Park Garden Workshop Series, led by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County , is part of a program designed to introduce community members to the Farm and Food Lab, where they can learn about sustainable home gardening practices for a healthy lifestyle.  

Garden Workshops at the Great Park Food and Farm Lab (all workshops 10 a.m.-Noon):

Grow it NOW: Warm Season Vegetables - Saturday, March 13

Ready to dig in the garden again?  Now is the time to plant warm season vegetables to feed your family over the summer months.  The Master Gardeners will give you the information you need to choose your crops so that you can follow the #1 rule: plant what you and your family like to eat!  Yum!

Tomato Time - Saturday, April 10

You could plant from dawn to dusk and still not plant every variety of tomato!  Whether you are a novice or a pro, you’ll enjoy learning about tomatoes:  the many varieties, their culture, diseases and pests, growing in the ground vs. growing in containers – and finally, how to use them.  Come hear the Master Gardeners on the “A to Z” about tomatoes. 

The Backyard Orchard - Saturday April 17

Not enough room in your backyard for an orchard?  With a little planning and know-how, it could happen. Learn about the varieties of fruit trees suitable for backyard growing and how to plant and care for them. The Master Gardeners will provide tips for fruit trees in small gardens.   Valuable information…ripe for picking!

Tool Time - Saturday, May 1

Okay, okay – there are some trusty standby tools that you need in your garden.  And then, there are the cool tools – the ones that take your breath away, that you don’t want to live without, that you see in your dreams.  The Master Gardeners will discuss and demonstrate tools for home gardens.  Be there!

Smart Gardening -- Saturday, May 15

What does it take to be a Smart Gardener?  Knowledge – and application of that knowledge – about irrigation, soil care, pest control, energy and wildlife.  Sound complicated?  The Master Gardeners will simplify it as they provide tips for you to save time, money and create a healthier garden.   If you want to be a Smart Gardener, attend this workshop.

Garden Workshops will be held at the Orange County Great Park Preview Park in the Farm & Food Lab.  The Orange County Great Park is located off the 5 Freeway and Sand Canyon in Irvine .  For more information, please visit to www.ocgp.org or call 949-724-7420.