Grow Your Own Garden Now!

Great Park Launches Garden Workshops at Farm and Food Lab

September 17, 2009 – IRVINE, California – Learn everything you need to know about growing produce at home at the Orange County Great Park Food and Farm Lab Garden Workshop Series, beginning Saturday September 26th. The classes, led by certified University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County, will include: “Cool Season Vegetables,” “Gardening in Small Spaces,” “The Busy Gardner,” “Spice up Your Life,” “Grow Your own Herbs,” and “Holiday Crafts from the Garden.” The workshop series is free to the public and runs through November 21st.

Home produce gardening has been in focus recently, with First Lady Michelle Obama and California’s First Lady Maria Shriver both planting gardens to promote the benefits of home-grown produce. Said Larry Agran, Chair of the Orange County Great Park Corporation, “The Great Park Garden Workshops will continue this important work here in Orange County.”

In 2009, the Park opened its Farm and Food Lab, the beginning of a larger agricultural program planned for the Great Park. The Garden Workshop Series is part of a pilot program designed to introduce community members to the Farm and Food Lab, where they can learn about sustainable home gardening practices for a healthy lifestyle.

Garden Workshops at the Great Park Food and Farm Lab:

Grow it NOW: Cool Season Vegetables
September 26, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Cool season vegetables are cool! From gourmet selections to a stir fry garden, this presentation will cover everything you need to know about starting and growing vegetables that you can harvest in fall, winter and early spring. University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County will show you how to “start something” this weekend you can harvest and eat throughout the cool season. Get tips for fitting more into smaller spaces and busy lifestyles, information demonstrations on planting and a walk through the demonstration gardens with Master Gardeners who will answer your questions.

Gardening in Small Spaces
October 3, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. to Noon

No space to garden? You’ll be amazed at what you can grow in even the smallest spaces. Create a year round, no fuss vegetable or herb garden or a place to grow your favorite flowers. This presentation by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County provides information on various techniques to maximize your garden space and productivity.

The Busy Gardener
October 10, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. to Noon

If you are busy (and who isn’t?) and like to garden, this class is for you! Not exactly “speed gardening” - but close - this presentation gives Orange County gardeners the list of top garden jobs for each area of the garden month by month. Staying ahead of the “garden game” allows you to get your garden off to a good start with better results, higher yields and less effort. It also gives you more time for those other things in your life! From turf to tomatoes, there are Master Gardener tips for everyone.

Spice Up Your Life - Grow Your Own Herbs
November 14, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Imagine being able to harvest herbs as you need them right outside your kitchen door, or even from your kitchen counter. Learn about growing herbs in containers - even inside a pumpkin, for use in cooking or for enjoyment in your garden. From the mundane to the exotic, University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County will teach you about herbs.

Holiday Crafts from the Garden
November 21, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. to Noon

The Holiday Season is almost here! Create some wonderful hand-made gifts for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list from your own garden. Join the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County as they demonstrate a selection of garden gift ideas to make for the holidays including a holiday wreath.

Garden Workshops will be held at the Orange County Great Park Preview Park in the Farm & Food Lab. The Orange County Great Park is located off the 5 Freeway and Sand Canyon in Irvine. For more information, please visit to www.ocgp.org or call 949-724-7420.

Press Contact:
Jenn Starnes
Public Information Officer
Orange County Great Park Corporation
(949) 724-6574