The gardening classes are associated with Northampton Community College's Community Garden, how did they come about?
Well, as part of setting up the East 40 Community Garden, Northampton Community College wanted to offer some gardening classes to the public through their Community Programs department. And so they approached me last Fall, to put together a comprehensive series of organic gardening classes that were both informative and practical. This series of classes are unique in that they'll include a combination of traditional indoor classroom learning and outdoor hands-on learning - I have some teaching plots in the community garden where the students will be learning by actually getting their hands dirty - that's what gardening's all about right? Essentially the community garden is being used as an outdoor classroom.

Why did you want to teach the classes?
Growing your own food organically has multiple benefits - not only for the environment but our health too - both mentally and physically.
In the garden we get physical exercise, we become more in tune with the nature, and by definition we spend more time outside - which is proven to be better for us than being inside most of the day.
In addition, the organic food we grow is healthier than what we can buy in our supermarkets and it doesn't pollute our bodies or the environment with artificial chemicals.
At the same time we're also reducing the carbon footprint of our food - essentially reducing the food miles to near zero.
I think that the more people grow their own food in a community - the more resilient that community becomes to rising oil prices and the effects of climate change.

Can you tell us a little more about the Community Garden?
Yes, the Community Garden is located at the Northampton Community College's main campus off Green Pond Road and it's being spearheaded by Mr. Kelly Allen - the Garden Coordinator - he's a faculty member at the college and an avid gardener. It was established last year and this Spring it's entering its second phase and plots have now been opened up to the local community - currently there're a total of 12 families involved right now.

What is so good about community gardens?
Community gardens are great for people who either live in apartments, have shady backyards or just want to expand on their home gardens.
So tell me more about the classes coming up
The classes are held monthly - on the second Saturday of every month up to and including October.
The next class is on Saturday March 10th and is entitled "How to Grow Your Own Seedlings" - we'll be looking at the theory and practice of growing seedlings at home - to save money and to ensure your plants get the best organic start - it is actually quite hard to find organic transplants in the Valley.
On the practical side, we will be making our own seed starting mix and sowing seeds into different types of containers. And then, weather permitting, we'll be going into the community garden itself to plant peas and other cold hardy vegetables into the cold frame.
In April we have a class on soils - we'll look at different soil types and how we can improve our soil. Organic gardeners always talk about feeding the soil not the plants and how organic matter (compost for example) is really the key to good, healthy soil. In this class, we'll also cover soil tests and how to use them to work out how much fertilizer to use and we'll be looking at the different types of organic fertilizers available.
In the outdoor classroom, the students will help to make a raised bed and we'll be our putting in practice our double digging techniques and tilling & raking for seed bed preparation. We'll also hopefully be planting potatoes and onions.

What other topics are included in the later classes?
In later classes we'll be looking at transplanting techniques; wise watering - how to make your own rain barrel; organic control of insects, weeds and diseases; extending the harvest into the winter; produce preservation and storage; composting and fall clean-up.

So the classes really are a great and comprehensive introduction to organic gardening, where can listeners find out more about the classes?
All the classes are listed on page 24 of NCC's Community Programs Main Campus Spring Catalogue. Listeners in Northampton County should have received one in the mail or you can go online to www.Northampton.edu and go to the Community Programs page - and download the catalogue.
Or call 877-543-0998
There is a small fee for the classes, anyone can sign up - not just Community Gardeners - and you can sign up for the whole series or pick and choose as you like.
Are there any other ways people can reduce the carbon footprint of their food?
Yes! You can support local farmers markets, you can support restaurants that buy local produce and you could consider signing up for a share in a local CSA - where you get a box of beautiful, tasty organic vegetables once a week. You can find a listing of Farmers markets and CSA's on the Buy Fresh Buy Local website.

More information on the community garden
Are there any plots left for this year?
No, the applications are closed for this year, but there is a waiting list open for 2013 - there is plenty of room, so probably there will be space for most people that want plots.
What is the price?
The plots are very reasonable $25 per family which includes a mandatory introductory classroom session in January and involvement in some "work days".
Are there any rules?
Yes it is strictly an organic garden - no artificial chemicals - fertilizers or pesticides are allowed to be used in the garden, and you can't let your plot get too weedy and it has to be started by a particular date in May