NORWAY — The Alan Day Community Garden is hosting two upcoming gardening related workshops. The upcoming workshops will cover how permaculture concepts can be applied to designing and growing organic gardens, and ways in which kitchen and yard waste can be turned into valuable soil conditioner. These workshops are part of an ongoing series hosted by the Community Garden which will continue throughout the summer.

“Permaculture Basics for Organic Gardeners” will be led by Scott Vlaun from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 4. Permaculture is a worldwide movement focused on sustainable community development and regional self-sufficiency. Workshop participants will explore how permaculture principles can be incorporated into their own organic gardens and edible landscapes to make them more efficient, diverse and productive.

“Composting Basics” at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 2, will be led by Brian Lenburg and Rosemary Wiser, who is newly graduated from the Extension Service Master Gardener course. Using readily available “waste” to grow food locally is an important first step toward building a vibrant local food system. This workshop will provide participants with the basics of how to create a rich soil amendment using traditional composting methods as well as composting with worms.

In addition to the upcoming workshops, the garden organizers have been busy doubling the size of the gardening area to accommodate as many community gardeners as possible. For a minimal fee individuals, families and community groups can rent a garden plot, get support and join together with other community members to produce local, organic foods.

The garden has ongoing demonstrations of composting, water catchment and different gardening techniques. A “play day” and concerts at the garden are being planned and garden tours are available during open gardening times on Sundays and Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. The garden is located off from Whitman and Maple streets in Norway. The public is always welcome. For more information, contact Cyndy Tinsley at 674-2366 or sign up for the electronic newsletter with garden coordinator Rocky Crockett at rocky.crockett@gmail.com.

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