Upcoming Events/Classes

All classes and events are held at Love Apple Farm, 9299 Glen Arbor Road, Ben Lomond, CA  95005.  Click here for a map to the farm.

Classes and Events in a Nutshell:

Grow the Earliest Tomatoes
Grow the Biggest Tomatoes
Grow your own Tomato Transplants from Seed
Tending a Summer Vegetable Garden
Compost and Vermiculture
Keeping Chickens
Tomato Seedling Sale
Installing a Garden Drip Irrigation System
Tomato Masters Class
Tending a Winter Vegetable Garden

Scroll down for full class descriptions

To register for any class or to ask a question about a class, email Cynthia at loveapplefarm@gmail.com

Grow the Earliest Tomatoes

Date: February 2, 2008 (Saturday)(11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Tired of waiting until late summer to get your first home-grown tomatoes? If you know how, it’s possible to harvest vine-ripened tomatoes as early as June. Learn the latest techniques for obtaining the earliest possible ripe fruit. In addition to detailed instruction on how to manipulate the environment to get you those juicy tomatoes at least a whole month earlier than usual, class participants receive 6 already growing plants proven to be my earliest-fruiting tomatoes. Class limited to those 13 years and older.

Tuition: $30
Materials Fee: $18
Bring a buddy and share your plants for an extra $15

If you are interested in this class, but unable to make the specific date, let me know. With enough interest, I may add another class date.

 

Grow the Biggest Tomatoes

Date: March 1, 2008 (Saturday)(11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Want to grow a record-breaking tomato? Want to impress your family and friends with gigantic tomatoes? Well, this is the class for you. Learn scientifically proven methods for developing giant fruit. (Our goal are 3 to 4 pound monsters!) Participants also take home 6 already growing plants with a track record for yielding the largest tomatoes. Class limited to those 13 years and older.

Tuition: $30
Materials Fee: $18
Bring a buddy and share your plants for an extra $15

If you are interested in this class, but unable to make the specific date, let me know. With enough interest, I may add another class date.

Grow your own Tomato Transplants from Seed

Choose a Date: January 26, 2008 (Saturday) Canceled due to storm
                      February 10, 2008 (Sunday)
                      February 23, 2008 (Saturday) Rescheduled to March 2
                      March 9, 2008 (Sunday)

All class dates: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.                   

Learn how to sow and care for young tomato seedlings.  Participants choose from over 125 varieties of heirloom tomatoes from my seed bank, sow them in seed flats and soil (supplied), while receiving direction and instruction on proper soil to use, heirloom variety selection for your individual growing conditions, germination conditions, care after seedlings emerge, proper transplanting techniques, and more.  Participants take home a sown flat of up to 48 different varieties of tomatoes with the potential for a total of 150 live plants.  Plenty for your garden and as gifts for your friends, too!   Tomato seeds sown in these classes will be ready for your spring planting.  Those in milder climates should choose the earlier class dates. Those in colder mountain climates should choose the later class dates. Classes limited to those 13 years and older.

Tuition: $25
Materials Fee: $15
Bring a buddy and share your flat for an extra $15.

If you are interested in this class, but unable to make one of the specific dates, let me know. With enough interest, I may add another class date.

To register for any class or to ask a question about a class, email Cynthia at loveapplefarm@gmail.com

Tending a Summer Vegetable Garden

Choose a date:  March 29, 2008 (Saturday) or
                       April 6, 2008 (Sunday)
                       (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) 

A comprehensive introduction to summer vegetable gardening. Participants will sow two (2) full flats of seeds to take home to tend and transplant. Select from my extensive seed bank of over 200 different varieties of summer fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. Learn how to amend and care for soil, site selection, bed preparation, best varieties of summer veggies for your climate, best seed sources, fertilization practices, pest and disease control as well as harvesting tips. This is in extensive class, so a full day is required. Class limited to those 13 years and older.

Tuition: $55
Materials Fee: $25
Bring: lunch and a gardening hat
Sorry, buddy discount is not available for this class.

If you are interested in this class, but unable to make the specific date, let me know. With enough interest, I may add another class date.

Compost and Vermiculture

Date:    March 22, 2008 (Saturday)
           (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Compost is the most important thing you can do to improve your garden. How does it do what it does? Learn how to use compost not only for soil amending, but for disease and pest control as well. Together we will build a proper compost pile and look at different piles in various stages of decomposition. Learn what NOT to do as well. 

Next, we’ll shift over to my giant worm bins and learn about vermiculture: the keeping of worms to create probably the most expensive soil amendment around. What is this stuff, and why is it so great for plants? We will also learn how to make a microbe-rich tea out of worm castings. Participants will take home a starter bin complete with worms. Class limited to those 10 years and older.

Tuition: $25
Materials Fee: $20 (includes bin and starter pack of worms)
Bring a buddy and share your bin for an extra $15.

If you are interested in this class, but unable to make the specific date, let me know. With enough interest, I may add another class date.

Keeping Chickens

Date: April 19, 2008 (Saturday)(11:00 – 1:00 p.m.)

Even city dwellers can keep a few laying hens in their yards. Participants will take home their choice of three live chicks – after learning how to care for them. Class participants also receive a brooder starter kit containing heat lamp system, feeder, waterer, and chick feed are included in total fee. We will have plans available on building your own small coop, which you can do in the weeks after you bring your chicks home (they will be fine with your take-home kit until a proper coop can be built). Due to the nature of ordering live chicks and assembling material lists, you must register for this class by March 20 – please, no late sign-ups. I reserve the right to cancel this class if we do not have enough participants. Class limited to those 8 years and older.

You will receive female chicks (they do not crow) and each one will lay a different colored egg: green, white, or brown. Hens do not require a rooster in order to lay eggs.

Tuition: $35
*Materials Fee: $60 (3 live chicks and brooder kit)
Each additional person in family or your group: $10

*Participants who do not want to receive chicks and brooder starter kit should indicate “tuition only – no chicks, please” with their registration.

If you are interested in this class, but unable to make the specific date, let me know. With enough interest, I may add another class date.

To register for any class or to ask a question about a class, email Cynthia at loveapplefarm@gmail.com

Tomato Seedling Sale

Starts Saturday, March 15, 2008, and will continue each Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday till June 1 (or until supplies last).  We anticipate having at least 100 different varieties.  Seedling selection subject to sell-outs of individual varieties.  Location:  Love Apple Farm, 9299 Glen Arbor Road, Ben Lomond, California.  Click here for a map to our farm.

Installing a Garden Drip Irrigation System

Date: July 12, 2008 (Saturday)(10:00 a.m. to noon)

You'll learn my preferred method of drip irrigation for a vegetable garden.  We will completely install one in a new garden area, so this is an opportunity to be hands-on.  Learn the best system to use (commercial is the way to go) plus learn where to get the best deals on your system. This design is user-friendly, and does not require special plumbing or underground lines.  Gals: you can do this too!  Once you learn how, it's actually kinda fun. 

Tuition: $45

Tomato Masters Class

Date: August 23, 2008 (Saturday) 10 a.m. to noon)

An in-depth seminar on expert tomato growing.  Class is held during the height of tomato growing season here at Love Apple Farm, where participants can see the plants at their peak.  If you really want to excel at tomato growing, and are willing to put in the work required, this is the class for you.  Demonstrations include fertilizing for flavor and high yields, pruning for maximum production and health, disease prevention, and heirloom tomato seed saving.

Tuition:  $45

Tending a Winter Vegetable Garden

Date: August 9, 2008 (Saturday)(10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) or:

Date: August 27, 2008 (Wednesday)(10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) or:

Date: September 13, 2008 (Saturday)(10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) or:

Learn how to start and tend a winter vegetable garden.  Growing a garden in winter is possible with our mild California climate.  Winter gardens are not just limited to greens and cabbage.  We will discuss over 30 different kinds of winter vegetables, and sow a flat to take home to tend and transplant.  Learn how to battle the cold temps, bed preparation, winter pest and disease issues, as well as the critical sow dates for winter crops.  This class is held in late summer, as that is the proper time to start a winter vegetable garden from seed. 

Tuition: $45
Materials Fee: $20

To register for any class or to ask a question about a class, email Cynthia at loveapplefarm@gmail.com

Class Participants Say:

"Loved it! Think you are fabulous! Looking forward to our 'day long' class!" by Julie on 9/24/07

"Cynthia, I am an experienced gardener and I enjoyed your class immensely.  Other people who know you also appreciate and praise your work and your sharing!  You put a lot of thought into preparing for classes. Thank you for all the materials, suppliers, new veggies, tips!  You are doing a terrific job with the farm and you are an inspiration to me." by Inani on 9/25/07

"Great class! I came away with some great plans for my garden.  Your style is great!  You don't intimidate us and we feel free to ask questions." by Rick on 9/25/07

"I really felt that you had great information on winter gardening.  I feel so inspired."  by Carolyn Lee on 9/25/07

"I thought the class was great. This is now my second class I have taken with you (tomato seed class).  The class moved along in a timely fashion, was interesting throughout and filled with tons of valuable information.  I will definitely continue on with your classes.  Thanks for offering them!" by Cherie 9/25/07