Choosing to Live Life Simply and Happily

Not A Lot of Plot – YEAH!

Posted by on 14 Jan 2012 in Gardening | 0 comments

Today I’m headed to an all-day class at Indian Creek Nature Center called Not A Lot Of Plot. One might think this was a convention for a writing group, but instead, it is about my other love – gardening. I’ve already taken some of these classes as a master gardener intern (taught by the same people!), but I’m hoping to scope out the scene. As part of the Mount Vernon Blue Zones Project, I have been working with people throughout the community to help create a more vibrant gardening scene in Mount Vernon. We have a lot of different projects in the work (more on that later) which means that I get to be a part of some very cool stuff. I’m scoping out these classes to see if we can bring an educational series to Mount Vernon on vegetable and flower gardening. Of course, I also get to learn a little myself. Score!

The program (from the above link):

9:30 AM Raised Bed Gardening with Deb Walser, Master Gardener
No space for a garden? You can plant enough vegetables in a 4′x4′ garden to feed two people for a season or a family of four, using just 4′x8′ in space! Hate the weeding and bug control? Having trouble getting up from the ground? Raised bed gardening is for you. Pass on the fun of gardening to your children and grandchildren. Deb Walser has been gardening in raised beds for fifteen years. Come see her gardens and learn.

10:20 AM Seed Starting with Zora Ronan
Learn how to successfully start garden transplants at home with a minimum amount of equipment.

10:50 AM Cold Frames with Deb Engmark, Brucemore Head Gardener
Cold frames provide multiple functions for many gardeners. Learn how to use and site a cold frame to maximize your garden.

11:15 AM Chickens as Garden Helpers with Rebecca Mumaw, CR-CLUC
In addition to producing one of the highest quality proteins in Nature, chickens have skill sets that can lighten your gardening load. Chickens are stealth insecticiders, broad spectrum herbiciders, compost spreaders and fertilizer producers. The results are completely organic and require no additional fuel or electricity. Learn how to incorporate a few hens into your gardening routines to make lighter work with a more healthful result.

11:45 AM Lunch

12:15 PM Think Globally, Grow Locally: Ethics and Food Production with Dr. David Bullwinkle
Our keynote speaker, Dr. David Bullwinkle, was born in New Jersey and was raised there and in Denver, Colorado. He earned a BA from Brown University in 1989, and a PhD in philosophy from Northwestern University in 2000. Since 2003, he has taught at Kirkwood Community College, where he is an associate professor of philosophy and humanities. He tends a small plot in his backyard and enjoys canning and pickling produce from his own garden and the Iowa City Farmer’s Market and sharing it with his family and friends. David will present some of the main contrasts between industrial and local food systems, with emphasis on how each affects individuals, ecosystems and communities.

1:30 PM Honey Bees and Native Pollinators with Jean Wiedenheft, ICNC Land Steward and Beekeeper
Honey bees often get all the credit but a diversity of native pollinators do the work to make your gardening efforts successful. Learn how to attract, shelter and encourage both honey bees and native pollinators.

2:05 PM Vermiculture/Composting with Wil Carew, Master Gardener
Ever wondered, “What am I going to do with all this yard and kitchen waste?” The answer is composting! Discover what it is, what types of bins are available, how it’s made, what you can put in it, where do you put it and why you should use it. Vermi-composting with red wigglers will also be detailed.

Can you see why I’m excited? I’m taking my camera and my notebook, so hopefully I’ll be able to come back and share some information with you all!

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  1. Part I: Raised Bed Gardening/Square Foot Gardening at Not A Lot of Plot | EmSun - [...] woodpecker resting on a tree at Indian Creek Nature Center.Several weeks ago I attended Not A Lot of Plot ...

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