Low Cost Basic Gardening Classes at Samohi

Low Cost Basic Gardening Classes at Samohi

University of California Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County (UCCE)

LOW-COST FOUR-WEEK “GROW LA VICTORY GARDENS” BASIC GARDENING SERIES, TAUGHT BY CERTIFIED UCCE LA COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 29, 2012 AT SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL

Food prices are on the rise and the drought across the Midwest and South will soon have wider and more serious implications for national food distribution

In time for the fall growing season and for the third consecutive year, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Los Angeles County Master Gardener Volunteers are offering low-cost, four-week basic gardening series across LA County as part of the “Grow LA Victory Gardens” Initiative.

Empowering people to “grow their own” is one of the missions of the UCCE Master Gardeners. Starting a garden can be daunting, so Master Gardeners will teach the basics needed for anyone wanting to grow their own vegetables and herbs, whether in a backyard, a community garden or containers on a balcony or patio.

Santa Monica resident LUCIA BURKE and Mar Vista resident, JULIE STRNAD [sic] will offer classes on Saturdays from 9:30 to 12:30 pm on September 29, October 6, October 13 and October 20 at Santa Monica High School. Fees are $15 for a single class or $55 for all four. Students completing all four weeks will become UC certified Victory Gardeners.

Topics include soil, composting, what to grow and when, seed starting, transplanting, container gardening, pest management, harvesting, food storage and more.

In addition to helping residents eat healthier and lower their grocery bills, the Victory Garden Initiative aims to help neighbors and friends create garden circles.

“We hope these Victory Garden Circles will continue informally beyond the trainings so participants can continue to share their new skills and produce surplus with their neighbors, local restaurants, local food banks and soup kitchens,” says Yvonne Savio, Common Ground Garden program manager.

Those who wish to register or get more information should contact Lucia Burke, lucia.burke@verizon.net, (310) 922-0644.  The Samohi course will cost $15 per workshop, or $55 for the four-class series.  Space is limited and advance registration is requested. 

The initiative brings together local gardening enthusiasts, UCCE/LA County Master Gardeners, and many local partners.  For general information on the initiative, please contact Yvonne Savio, Common Ground Garden program manager, at (323) 260-3407, ydsavio@ucdavis.edu.  Initiative sites around the county can be viewed at http://tiny.cc/m4ctjw.