THE GREAT RESKILLING

Feb. 7 (Thurs.), 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., THE GARDEN YEAR: TIMING IS A KEY TO SUCCESS, by Eric Johnson. Timing your garden to work with the seasons is not difficult, and leads to successful gardening! Learn about key events and cycles in the yearly gardening calendar, as well as which vegetables grow best at which times. This is an introductory talk/slideshow, with plenty of time for participant questions. Free. Boulder Meadows Community Room, 4500 19th St. (Violet & 19th).

Feb. 16 – 17 (Sat. – Sun.), 1:00 – 3:30 p.m., COLD SEASON GARDENING: FRESH VEGETABLES ALL WINTER, by Eric Johnson. In two sessions, take a hands-on look at cold frames and other season-extending strategies for gardeners, and get prepared to start your Spring crops early this year! These inexpensive techniques can also be used to extend the growing season late into the Autumn—or even right through the winter for year-round fresh vegetables. In the first session, we'll take a look at a variety of season-extending techniques and cover some basic concepts important to using row covers and cold frames. In the second session, we'll construct a $10 mini greenhouse and sow a variety of vegetables to grow inside. Registration $25 for one session or $40 for both sessions. Snow date, Feb. 24. Boulder Outlook Hotel & Suites, 800 28th St.

Feb. 21 (Thurs.), 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., FARMING IN THE CITY USING YOUR FRONT YARD AND BACK YARD!, by Kipp Nash. In his third year of operating Community Roots, Kipp’s urban multi-plot farm uses a collection of residential front and backyards and church properties to grow organic produce. This unique new approach to agriculture creatively utilizes commonly overlooked food resources and mobilizes suburban communities for food production. Based in the Martin Acres subdivision of South Boulder, Community Roots is building steam as our community gains greater awareness of the need for local food production and community self-reliance. Kipp will present on his experience as an urban farmer, sharing the successes he has realized and his vision for the future of urban agriculture. Free. Boulder Outlook Hotel & Suites, 800 28th St.

Feb. 23 (Sat.), 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., WORM COMPOSTING, by John Anderson. This interactive class includes an informal lecture and hands-on demonstration to teach you everything you need to know about vermicomposting. Participants will learn how to establish and maintain their worm composting system in a range of scales, from a storage-sized container to a backyard or pasture. John Anderson is known in northern Colorado as the voice and leading expert in vermicomposting and other forms of composting . He speaks on innovative sustainable techniques and has taught classes for Front Range Community College and gardening workshops in South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado. He is a much sought-after presenter for teaching this sustainable practice to preschoolers through 12th grade students. Registration $35, including wigglers and a bin to take home. Boulder Outlook Hotel & Suites, 800 28th St.

Feb. 28 (Thurs.), 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., THE ETHICS OF SUSTAINABLE CULTURE, by Kelly Simmons, Boulder Sustainability Education Center. What would a sustainable human culture look like? What ethics are needed to support human culture indefinitely within a healthy ecosystem? What are the ethics we've been living so far, and what impact has that had on our world? How do we repair the damage and more towards a positive future? How do we change? These and other questions on creating healthy sustainable human culture will be explored in this hopeful, positive talk. Free. Boulder Meadows Community Room, 4500 19th St. (Violet & 19th).

Mar. 6 (Thurs.), 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., DESIGNING YOUR EDIBLE LANDSCAPE: FROM CONCEPT TO HARVEST, by Bill Melvin. Few joys of life compare to gathering fruits, vegetables and herbs right from your yard—free, fresh and vine-ripened. The thought of creating such an oasis can be daunting, especially for the novice gardener. With a little bit of help, your dreams can become reality in the matter of a couple months. Come explore how to go about such an endeavor from start to finish, applying your dreams to paper, laying out an edible landscape for a year’s worth of fulfillment. Together we will explore the gamut of edible goodies in our environment and what is the most appropriate species with an emphasis on the most desirable cultivars for their hardiness, taste, and storing abilities. Wild edible foods will also be discussed that supply delicious treats with truly minimal requirements. Numerous Permaculture techniques will be integrated and explored to help you maximize your land’s potential and minimize your energy inputs. Free. Boulder Meadows Community Room, 4500 19th St. (Violet & 19th).

Mar. 13 (Thurs.), 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., THE BIOLOGY OF URBAN GARDENS, by Greg Litus. Organic gardeners embracing more diverse vegetable and fruit production are encouraged to attend a discussion on the basic biological and physical processes that control growth and productivity in urban and natural landscapes. Gardeners will then be able to evaluate their own garden designs to see how natural cycles can be manipulated for greater yield. Greg Litus will lead the discussion by presenting information on energy in biological systems, heat and light interception, and the effects of water stress. Selected nutrient cycles will be evaluated to better understand natural and manipulated cycles associated with native ecosystems and cultivated gardens. Greg is currently completing his research at Colorado State University on water stress in landscape trees and has been active in small-scale vegetable and fruit production for the last 10 years. Free. Boulder Meadows Community Room, 4500 19th St. (Violet & 19th).

Mar. 15 (Sat.), 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., GARDEN DESIGN AND PLANNING A LA PERMACULTURE, with Sandy Cruz and friends. It’s time to begin creating this year’s garden! Learn to imitate Nature by establishing garden polycultures that produce a diverse mix of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers. We’ll take a virtual tour of Sandy’s garden, consider springtime gardening priorities, and look at strategies for working with our local Rocky Mountain climate. Using Permaculture design principles, we’ll consider where to place the garden, how to build it, what to plant in it, and where to obtain seeds, bedding plants, shrubs and trees. Participants will plant seeds to take home, and will learn how to care for young bedding plants. Registration $85, or $65 ten days in advance. Location to be announced.

Mar. 20 (Thurs.), 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., CARING FOR HONEY BEES IN YOUR BACK YARD!, by Corwin Bell. Honey bees are a critical element for the success of your organic garden. This workshop is for those interested in learning more about starting bees for your local pollination. Learn about the basic requirements and responsibilities for first-time beekeepers. Understand the mechanics of a hive, the tools involved, elements of site selection, and an understanding of a naturalist approach to their needs. Free. Boulder Meadows Community Room, 4500 19th St. (Violet & 19th).

Mar. 27 (Thurs.), 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., PLUGGING INTO THE SUN: UNDERSTANDING SOLAR ELECTRICITY, by Chris Fox, Namaste Solar. Interest in solar electricity in Colorado is at an all-time high. This presentation is intended to provide local residents with a basic understanding of grid tied photovoltaic systems, and their technical and economic considerations. Join the employee owners of Boulder-based Namaste Solar Electric for an informative session that covers the following topics: What is solar PV electricity? How does a "grid-connected" solar PV system work? How are PV systems designed and installed? What factors are important for building "PV-friendly" homes? How much does it cost? What rebates and incentives are available? What are the benefits of PV? Free. Boulder Meadows Community Room, 4500 19th St. (Violet & 19th).

April 6 (Sun.), 9:00 a.m. – noon, GRAFTING AND GROWING YOUR OWN FRUIT TREES, by Dave Carlson. This largely hands-on workshop will consider the essentials of selecting the right site, planting and early care of fruit trees. Participants will be introduced to the principles behind and reasons for grafting. Various methods of grafting will be demonstrated and then practiced by participants on actual fruit trees in an orchard setting. Registration $30.

April 10 (Thurs), 7:00-8:30 p.m., ETHNOBOTANY OF THE FRONT RANGE: AN INTRODUCTION TO EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS OF OUR AREA, by Claire Zimmerman. Learn to recognize the most common and usable plants of the front range. This class will cover the most easily recognizable plant families and their medicinal attributes, along with basic medicinal and edible uses of commonly found local flora. Free. Location: Boulder Meadows Community Room 4500 19th St.

April 13, (Sunday) 9:00 a.m.-noon, BIKERS’ ED - Get out of your car and join us as we partner with Community Cycles in hosting a Bikers' Ed class! Bikers' Ed teaches participants improved riding skills that enhance confidence as a biker. We will cover safe riding skills and rules of the road, as described by the Colorado Department of Transportation, with an emphasis on commuting and running errands by bike. Time permitting we will also discuss basic bike maintenance. Bring your bike and try out your newly found skills during a fun ride, immediately after the class. This class is for beginners to intermediate levels. Feel free to bring any unwanted bikes that we can work on and donate to low income residents! Suggested donation $35. Location: Community Cycles, 2805 Wilderness Place, suite 1000

Apr. 26-27 (Sat.-Sun), 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., SOLAR GREENHOUSE DESIGN WEEKEND, with Sandy Cruz and friends. Learn to design an integrated, sustainable greenhouse using passive and active solar architecture, slanted or vertical glazing, and earth-friendly building materials. This weekend we’ll cover solar design principles, along with the nuts and bolts of greenhouse materials and technologies. We’ll consider the strengths and weaknesses of several existing greenhouses, and demonstrate Permaculture site analysis and brainstorming techniques. Then we’ll create a solar greenhouse design on site. Location: 2150 Tamarack. Registration $170, $130 ten days in advance. Call 303-494-1521 to register.

May 3-4 (Sat. – Sun.), 1:00 – 3:30 p.m., BUILDING PRODUCTIVE GARDEN SOIL, by Eric Johnson. Healthy soil is an essential foundation for successful gardening. Learn how you can improve and protect your garden soil, to maximize its fertility. We'll spend one day in a classroom setting, learning some hands-on soil basics, and another day demonstrating soil improvement techniques in a garden setting. Registration $25 for one session or $40 for both sessions.

May 17 (Sat.), 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., THE BOUNTIFUL PANTRY, with Sandy Cruz and friends. The season of surplus food will soon be upon us. Plan now! We’ll look at how to acquire, preserve, store and use an abundance of fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs and medicinals. In addition to freezing and canning, we’ll explore nine simple, timeless, low-energy methods to preserve the harvest. We’ll experiment in the kitchen, making pickled veggies and other delights. Registration $85, or $65 ten days in advance.

May 24 (Sat.), 1:00-3:00 p.m., EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL WEEDS, by Claire Zimmerman. Many homeowners and gardeners shun the weeds in their yards, even going to point of using toxic sprays to eliminate these “misplaced” plants. This class will introduce you to “weeds” in a whole new light. We will focus on practical skills of weed identification and discuss their applications as food and medicine. You will leave this class feeling more empowered to use the plants growing right outside your backdoor and less likely to yank every “weed” you find. Registration $25. Location: TBD

June 7 (Sat.), 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., HIGH ALTITUDE GARDENING, with Sandy Cruz and friends. Learn to improve degraded mountain soils, select plants appropriate for high altitudes, use slope to advantage, extend the growing season, and protect gardens from hail, frost, deer and too much ultraviolet radiation. We’ll convert a hillside area into an instant garden bed and plant it. Registration $85, or $65 ten days in advance.

June 8 (Sun.), 9:00 a.m.-noon, MEDICINAL PLANT WALK, by Claire Zimmerman. Join us for an early summer medicinal plant walk. We will discuss the traditional and modern uses of native plants found in our local foothills. Please come prepared for any type of weather; bring water, sunscreen and hat, layers, snacks, walking shoes, and a notebook and pen. This walk will be less than 1 mile roundtrip, and will be easy-moderate. Registration $30. Location: TBD

GREAT RESKILLING LOCATIONS

All Thursday class locations will be held at the Boulder Meadows Community Room located in the Boulder Meadows Mobile Home Park at 4500 19^th St. (19th & Violet). The Feb 21^st location has not yet been finalized.