In this workshop you will learn the fundamentals of planning your vegetable garden for interior BC growing conditions. The class will cover how to plan for continued harvest, including the timing of seeding and transplanting, plant spacing, and crop succession. Participants can bring along a map of their garden space to get support with creating their own growing plan. This workshop is intended for beginner home gardeners and market growers, but participants of all experience levels are welcome.
DATE: Sunday, March 31 • 9 am – 12 pm PST
LOCATION: Syilx, Sinixt, and Ktunaxa Territories. The workshop will be held in the barn of Bent Plow Farm at 4461 Turner Rd, in Blewett BC
REGISTER: This workshop is currently full. If you would like to add your name to the waitlist in the event tickets become available, please go to Eventbrite.
SCHEDULE (times are approximate):
9 – 11 AM – Garden Planning Workshop in the Barn, with a Mid-point Break
11 AM – 12 PM – Personal Garden Mapping and Planning and Q&A
BRING: Warm clothes and lots of layers will be needed to stay cozy while sitting in the barn classroom. Bring pens, paper, and a map or sketch of your garden space so that you can work on your garden plan. If you have records of crop rotations from seasons past, bring those along. Tea and light snacks will be provided.
SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share the Facebook event!
About Bent Plow Farm
Emma Sowiak and Scott Humphries own Bent Plow Farm, a certified organic vegetable farm tucked away in a flat, sunny oasis in Blewett BC, just outside of Nelson. Emma grew up in Nelson planting potatoes in her community garden, while Scott was helping his Dad hay 100 acres in the Ottawa Valley. Together, they launched Bent Plow Farm in 2015 and haven’t been able to get the dirt out from under their fingernails since. Now with their awesome crew, and kids and dogs in tow, they grow 60+ seasonal veggies for a CSA of over 150 local families, as well as the weekly farmers’ market. Over the past 9 seasons, they’ve experimented with all sorts of different ways to plan their garden production and are happy to share all of their tips, tricks, tools, and resources in order to keep your garden harvest going all season long.
Web: bentplowfarm.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/bentplowfarm
Instagram: @bentplowfarm
Stay in Touch
- Join our Young Agrarians Columbia Basin (Kootenay) Facebook Group to stay up to date with all events in the region
- Sign up for our e-newsletter to get events and opportunities for your region delivered straight to your inbox
- Due to limited spots, we ask that you please give us as much notice as possible if you have to cancel, so we can give someone else the opportunity to join. You can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting kim@youngagrarians.org.
- Questions? Email Kim at kim@youngagrarians.org
Upcoming Events in the Columbia Basin
We have something happening every month through the growing season! Sign up for our newsletter to receive registration information for these upcoming events:
April 27, 2024: Burton, BC – Silvopasture Farm Tour at McCormack Farm
This event will tour a diversified, fourth-generation farm that has been in operation since 1903. It is the one of the only large-scale farms in the region converting their established pastures to silvopasture – a regenerative farming practice where rows of nut and fruit-producing tree crops are integrated with rotationally-grazed livestock. This full-day event will include a morning tour of the 175 acres in production, a shared potluck lunch, and an afternoon of hands-on learning planting out hundreds of nut trees.
May 30, 2024: Kaslo, BC – Farm Tour at Mr. Mercy’s Mushrooms
Participants will get to tour this established organic mushroom farm and learn about both indoor and outdoor seasonal mushroom production. After the tour we will gather for a potluck dinner in the garden.
June 23, 2024: Salmo, BC – Tour de Farm Stand at Salix & Sedge Farm, Clutch Farm, and Forrest Farm
This family-friendly community event will be a celebration of Salmo’s vibrant farm stand culture and the joy of active transportation. Participants can cycle (or jog, rollerblade, scooter!) their way between three farms to meet their local food producers and shop at their self-serve farm stands. Starting at Salix and Sedge Farm, we’ll tour their large market garden, basketry willow plantation, and full-season heated greenhouse. Next we’ll pedal over to Clutch Farm for a tour of their market garden. We’ll end the event at Forrest Farm Sheep & Goat Cheese Creamery to learn about their small-scale dairy operation and pick up some local cheese, meat, soaps, and produce. Other local producers will be invited to add pop-ups along the route.
July 27, 2024: Creston, BC – Regenerative Grains & Renewable Energy Tour at Full Circle Farm
Come for a morning hayride tour of this 40 acre organic grain and root crop farm, pulled by Maaax, a farmer-built solar-powered tractor! Joanne and Drew Gailius are regenerative farmers who strive to reduce their use of fossil fuels. They do this by integrating solar panels into their fields, eliminating plastics from their production systems, and converting their farm implements to renewable energy. Come learn about all their innovative farm systems and join us after for a potluck lunch.
August 25, 2024: Kestova, BC – Seed Saving Farm Tour at Winnow Seeds
Winnow Seeds produces certified organic, open-pollinated and regionally adapted seed for Kootenay growing conditions. Participants on this tour will discover what a seed farm looks like in late summer when crops have bolted and set seed, have the opportunity to help collect seeds, and learn about why seed saving is an essential part of farming and local food security.
THANK YOU!
The Columbia Basin event series is made possible with funding from Columbia Basin Trust.