2016 Workshops
Please return to this page at the end of March to see all the great new workshops for 2016.
Scroll down to check out this year's exciting set of workshops on sustainable gardening and gardening design.
Have you attended one of our workshops? Please click here to share your feedback.
Scroll down to check out this year's exciting set of workshops on sustainable gardening and gardening design.
Have you attended one of our workshops? Please click here to share your feedback.
Click here to learn more about other learning opportunities at Abbondanza.
June
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THE HAPPY HEALTHY GARDEN
Sunday, June 7th 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Now is the perfect time of year to get your garden off to a good start! Gwynne Basen will take you over the basics of good soil building, mulching, composting and pest control. You will also learn how to direct seeding and transplant flowers and vegetables. Participants will also have the opportunity to take home heirloom vegetable and flower seedlings from the Abbondanza greenhouse. Cost: $40.00 Click here to register. Participant feedback from this workshop: "I had such a wonderful day at your farm. All I want to do these days is garden, garden, garden! You gave us lots of great info, but more than that you shared your passion, joy and abundant energy for what you do, for the life you have chosen and the values you live by. Thank you! I would very much like to return!"
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July
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THE MAGIC OF PERMACULTURE: TRANSFORMING YOUR GARDEN DESIGN Sunday, July 5th. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Led by Stefan Sobkowiak an internationally-renowned permaculture expert, this full day workshop will introduce you to the basics of permaculture, a sustainable method of gardening and landscaping that incorporates design based on natural elements. You will learn to work with, rather than against nature, to truly observe what is happening in your landscape, and to see all the elements of your terrain as an integrated whole. In the workshop you will learn to build a “Magic Model” of your own garden, incorporating permaculture principles of design. This workshop will cover such topics as:
For the last 6 years Stefan has been cultivating Miracle Farm in Cazaville, Quebec (www.miracle.farm ), the largest permaculture fruit orchard in Eastern North America. A forerunner in his field, Stefan has taught over 400 groups and worked with more than 100 professional clients during the past 25 years. He holds two Master’s degrees, the first in landscape architecture from the University of Guelph as well as a Masters and Bachelors in Wildlife Biology and Wildlife Management from McGill University. With a focus on edible gardening, Stefan’s unique approach employs design principles that attract beneficial wildlife and insects as well as capitalizing on the available resources in an environment. Here at Abbondanza Farm we have benefitted from Stefan’s techniques in our own fruit and nut orchard and are delighted to invite him back to share his knowledge with you. Whether this is your first encounter with permaculture or you already have some experience with it, you will certainly leave the workshop inspired and in possession of a new set of skills to help you transform your gardens and landscape. Cost: $85, which includes a delicious garden lunch. |
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August
RADICAL RESTHOMES: A NEW APPROACH TO AN "OLD" PROBLEM
Sunday, September 27th 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
When it comes to living the senior life, most of us are sure what we DON’T want: to be parked in one of those old-age residences called “Golden Pastures”, or “Tranquility Bay” waiting for The End.
The more difficult questions are: What DO we want? WHEN will we need a change of lifestyle? HOW do we stay in charge of our lives? WHAT are the alternatives out there that are more inviting?
The workshop will be led by Janet Torge a broadcaster and film producer who is committed to designing a radical new approach to how we will live as oldsters. Check out her web site http://radicalresthomes.com. Come and explore the possibilities!
Cost: $70.00. A delicious, fresh from the garden lunch is included.
Click here to register
Sunday, September 27th 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
When it comes to living the senior life, most of us are sure what we DON’T want: to be parked in one of those old-age residences called “Golden Pastures”, or “Tranquility Bay” waiting for The End.
The more difficult questions are: What DO we want? WHEN will we need a change of lifestyle? HOW do we stay in charge of our lives? WHAT are the alternatives out there that are more inviting?
The workshop will be led by Janet Torge a broadcaster and film producer who is committed to designing a radical new approach to how we will live as oldsters. Check out her web site http://radicalresthomes.com. Come and explore the possibilities!
Cost: $70.00. A delicious, fresh from the garden lunch is included.
Click here to register
ROCK IT!
Sunday, August 9th. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Yes, you can build your own beautiful stone walls and structures! In this hands-on workshop, Expert wall builder Doug Ernst will take you through the basics of design, selecting and handling rocks, essential tools and materials. The workshop will culminate with Doug guiding the group in building a new stone wall.
Doug's magnificent farm is the site for this workshop where you will be able to see finished walls and structures of all shapes and sizes, as well as projects in various stages of development.
Cost: $75.00, including a delicious garden lunch.
Click here to register.
Sunday, August 9th. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Yes, you can build your own beautiful stone walls and structures! In this hands-on workshop, Expert wall builder Doug Ernst will take you through the basics of design, selecting and handling rocks, essential tools and materials. The workshop will culminate with Doug guiding the group in building a new stone wall.
Doug's magnificent farm is the site for this workshop where you will be able to see finished walls and structures of all shapes and sizes, as well as projects in various stages of development.
Cost: $75.00, including a delicious garden lunch.
Click here to register.
Participant feedback from this workshop: "I am so grateful for the lovely day that you and Doug offered us on Saturday. It was rich and beautiful and full. I came home feeling deeply nourished and satisfied. Thank you so much."
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EDIBLE LANDSCAPING MADE SIMPLE Creating gardens that look good enough to eat! Sunday, August 23. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Can there be any greater delight than cooking with produce fresh from your garden? The pleasure is doubled when that garden is a feast for the eyes! Combining food crops and ornamentals has along history, for a good reason--all that diversity results in gardens that are beautiful AND productive! This workshop will focus on how to create gardens consisting of edible and ornamental plants. All the techniques we’ll examine can be applied to any garden space, from a city front yard or balcony to an ample country lot. YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT: • Choosing plants & plant varieties for beauty and flavour; • Planning your beds or planters for yields and beauty throughout the growing season; • Techniques for building beds and pathways; • Soil building for happy plants; • Composting and mulching; and • Organic pest control. As well as touring the beautiful edible gardens of Abbondanza, we will also visit the splendid kitchen garden of a masterful local gardener and builder of stone walls. Cost: $75, which includes a delicious garden lunch. Click here to register. |
September
SEED SAVING FOR EVERYONE
Sunday, September 20th. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Have you always wanted to save seeds from your favorite garden vegetables and flowers but weren’t quite sure how to do it? Well it’s easier than you think! In this workshop you will learn everything you need to get started saving and storing your own seeds.
And, you will find out why seed saving is not only a fun, practical addition to your gardening activity but can also make an important contribution towards preserving our precious agriculture heritage.
Abbondanza's many gardens are filled with a tremendous diversity of plants that will provide excellent examples of how to save your very own garden seeds.
The workshop will be led by Lyne Bellemare, Communications Coordinator for Seeds of Diversity Canada. Lyne is an experienced trainer in both seed saving and permaculture design.
Cost: $50, including a delicious garden lunch. Click here to register.
RADICAL RESTHOMES: A NEW APPROACH TO AN "OLD" PROBLEM
NEW DATE: Sunday, October 18th 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
When it comes to living the senior life, most of us are sure what we DON’T want: to be parked in one of those old-age residences called “Golden Pastures”, or “Tranquility Bay” waiting for The End.
The more difficult questions are: What DO we want? WHEN will we need a change of lifestyle? HOW do we stay in charge of our lives? WHAT are the alternatives out there that are more inviting?
The workshop will be led by Janet Torge a broadcaster and film producer who is committed to designing a radical new approach to how we will live as oldsters. Check out her web site http://radicalresthomes.com. Come and explore the possibilities!
Cost: $70.00. A delicious, fresh from the garden lunch is included.
Click here to register
Have you attended an Abbondanza workshop?
We'd love to have your feedback about your experience! Click here to write us a message.
We'd love to have your feedback about your experience! Click here to write us a message.