| Fruit Tree Workshops |
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Growing Apples and Pears
We will discuss planting, growing techniques, and pruning of apples & pears. Techniques will be covered for pruning newly planted trees to renovating older trees you’ve inherited. |
Feb. 11 • 10:30-Noon
Feb. 18 • 10:30-Noon
March 17 • 10:30-Noon |
Growing Stone Fruits; Cherries, Peaches, & Plums
Growing cherries, plums, peaches and apricots can be rewarding and challenging in our maritime climate. We will discuss planting, growing techniques, and pruning of stone fruits. |
Feb. 18 • 1:30-3:00
March 17 • 1:30-3:00 |
Growing Fruit: Espalier
If you’re considering creating a Belgian fence or growing Cherries trained to a fan, this is for you. Construction considerations, training, which plants work and those that don’t - all will be covered. |
March 3 • 10:30-Noon |
Organic Fruit Growing
You can grow tree fruits and berries using organic practices, even in our challenging climate. Learn how to keep your trees and berry plants healthy and productive. We’ll discuss the common pest and disease issues of our area, and how to deal with them effectively. Other topics will include soil and weed management and use of compost and mulches in fruit growing. |
April 14 • 1:30-3:00 |
Fall in the Orchard
When is it ripe? How do I store it? These are two of the most commonly asked questions in the fall. At this workshop, we will discuss ways to determine if fruit is ready to be picked, proper picking, and best storage methods. We will also discuss fall and winter orchard chores to help keep your trees at their healthiest.
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Sept. 8 • 10:30-Noon |
Making Hard Cider
You’ve asked for it, here it is! In this 3 hour workshop, we’ll demonstrate the basic procedures for fermenting fresh cider into hard cider. We’ll look at equipment needs, we’ll discuss apple varieties and blends, yeasts and sanitation. And yes, we will be tasting some hard cider, too. |
October 21 • 1:00-4:00
Registration required, space is limited, must be 21 to participate
$20 workshop fee |
| Grape Workshops |
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Growing Grapes
We will discuss growing grapes in cool climates for wine and eating. Cultural practices including soil requirements, pruning techniques, pest management and harvesting will be covered. Workshop will take place in the vineyard. |
March 3 • 1:30-3:00 |
Summer Care in the Vineyard
We will look at shoot positioning, summer pruning, bunch thinning, water management, and disease management. All of these issues are critical to the production of quality grapes for eating and wine. |
June 9 • 10:30-Noon |
Wine & Table Grape Harvesting
It’s more complicated than just picking! We will talk about pre-harvest issues: verasion, leaf stripping, bird control, and how rain affects your crop. We will also check sugar levels, pH, and titratable acids of the fruit before harvesting. And last, but not least, we will finish the afternoon talking about the first steps involved in your grape crush. |
Sept. 22 • 10:30-Noon |
Wine Grape Trials Evaluation
This is a chance for new and experienced wine grape growers to have a look at many of the new varieties that are of interest in our climate. Fruit will be available for sampling. Numerous wines will be opened for discussion. Some made at Cloud Mountain and some by NW Wine Institute. Several reds and several whites. All made from grapes grown at Cloud Mountain Farm Center. If you have fruit or wines you want to share, you are welcome to bring samples. Please let us know what you are bringing! |
Sept. 22 • 1:30-3:00pm
Registration required, space is limited, must be 21 to participate
$10 workshop fee |
| Small Fruits Workshops |
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Designing and Planting an Edible Landscape
Integrating edibles and ornamentals can make a stunning and productive landscape. Come explore what’s possible in the realm of edibles. Selection, design and cultural practices will all be covered. |
Feb. 25 • 10:30-Noon |
Growing Small Fruits
Northwest gardeners can grow an incredible variety of small fruits. This workshop will focus on blueberries, raspberry and blackberries, strawberries, and kiwis. |
March 10 • 1:30-3:00 |
| Sustainable Gardening Workshops |
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Sustainable Gardening
In this workshop, we will discuss ways to have a beautiful and productive food and/or ornamental garden while being sensitive to the environment. Topics will include plant selection, reducing water usage, reducing chemical usage and integrated pest management, weed control, and pest control. |
March 24 • 10:30-Noon |
Grow Your Own - the Locavore’s Garden
Vegetable gardening is more than planting seeds. Learn how to successfully grow a wide variety of produce throughout the year, including how to get started, planning your plantings, managing your soil and fertility inputs, and timing for succession harvests. |
March 31 • 10:30-Noon |
Gardening with Northwest Native Plants
Using our rich variety of plants native to the Northwest can enhance your enjoyment of your garden. Learn which plants to use to encourage wildlife, beautify problem areas, and take the work out of gardening. |
April 14 • 10:30-Noon |
Growing Beans & Grains in Your Backyard
Possibly the most important set of knowledge one can learn in the quest to eat more locally is growing dry beans and grains. Enhance your pantry and your life by learning the basics of growing your own storable staple crops. We will discuss variety selection, planting, maintenance, harvest, threshing, storage, and cooking methods. This class is intended for gardeners of all levels, with an emphasis on low-tech methods and hand tools. An optional instruction manual and seeds will be available for purchase for those who are ready to get rolling. This workshop is taught by Krista Rome of the Back Yard Bean and Grain Project. |
April 21 • 1:30-3:00 |
Using Tunnels and Hoop houses for Productive Gardening
You can grow great tomatoes and peppers in the Pacific Northwest! Use of high tunnels and hoop houses can bring you success in crops that often fail out in the open. We’ll discuss hoop house construction, planting, pruning and training, and management issues. |
April 28 • 10:30-Noon
August 18 • 10:30-Noon |
Planning and Planting Your Winter Garden
At the peak of summer is the best time to plan and plant a winter garden. Here in the Northwest, it’s possible to grow and harvest vegetable almost year round. We’ll discuss the types of plants you can grow, special fertility and soil requirements for winter gardening, and the use of cloches and frost blankets to extend the harvest. |
July 14 • 10:30-Noon |
Preserving the Harvest
Don’t let your garden bounty go to waste! We’ll discuss canning, drying and freezing of different fruit and vegetable crops. |
August 18 • 1:30-3:00 |
| Fun at the Farm |
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Annual Fall Fruit Festival
An annual event for the past 23 years, we have over 200 varieties of fruit and fruit products for you to taste and enjoy. Live music provides the background to this event, and Julia’s Pumpkin Patch is open for U-pick and we pick pumpkins at the Festival and throughout the month of October. |
October 6 • 10am-5pm
October 7 • 11am-4pm |
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Saturdays at the farm 2012