Love Apple Farms Classes from Michael Whalen on Vimeo.
Information about our spring tomato plant sale for 2019 will be forthcoming soon. We have a pre-sale for those who want to ensure their choices will not be sold out. Get on our newsletter list to receive notice of that. Our gardening classes are located on the farm at 2317 Vine Hill Road, Santa Cruz (this location only open for registered students on class day). Our cheese-making workshops are held at 1011 Fair Avenue, Santa Cruz.
ALL CLASSES ARE HELD RAIN OR SHINE.
WE REQUIRE ADVANCE REGISTRATION, EVEN FOR GIFT CERTIFICATE HOLDERS.
View our cancellation/rescheduling policy.
Visit our gift certificate page to purchase a class for someone else.
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January 2019 Workshops
Early Spring Vegetable Gardening - January 6, 2019 ($69) SOLD OUT!
Beginning Cheese Making - January 12, 2019 ($99) SOLD OUT!
Growing Tomatoes, Peppers & Eggplants from Seed - January 19, 2019 ($89)
Early Spring Vegetable Gardening - January 26, 2019 ($69)
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February 2019 Workshops
Designing the Perfect Vegetable Garden - February 9, 2019 ($69)
Fruit Trees Simplified - February 10, 2019 ($79)
Beginning Cheese Making - February 16, 2019 ($99)
Backyard Bee-Keeping - February 16, 2019 ($99)
Growing Tomato Transplants from Seed - February 17, 2019 ($69)
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March 2019 Workshops
Tomato Masters - March 2, 2019 ($69)
Designing the Perfect Vegetable Garden - March 3, 2019 ($69)
Summer Vegetable Gardening - March 9, 2019 ($79)
Beginning Cheese Making - March 16, 2019 ($99)
Tomato Masters - March 17, 2019 ($69)
PRE-SALE PICK UP FOR SPRING PLANT SALE - March 23, 2019
OPENING DAY SPRING TOMATO PLANT SALE - March 24, 2019
Summer Vegetable Gardening - March 31, 2019 ($79)
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April 2019 Workshops
Tomato Masters - April 6, 2019 ($69)
Straw Bale Gardening - April 7, 2019 ($69)
Growing Culinary Herbs - April 13, 2019 ($69)
Backyard Bee-Keeping - April 14, 2019 ($99)
Summer Vegetable Gardening - April 20, 2019 ($79)
Drip Irrigation Simplified - April 27, 2019 ($69)
Tomato Masters - April 28, 2019 ($69)
Beginning Cheese Making - TBD
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May 2019 Workshops
Tomato Masters - May 11, 2019 ($69)
Summer Vegetable Gardening - May 19, 2019 ($79)
Compost, Vermiculture & Soil Fertility - May 25, 2019 ($69)
Container Vegetable Gardening - May 26, 2019 ($69)
Beginning Cheese Making - TBD
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Backyard Chicken Keeping - June 1, 2019 ($89)
Tomato Masters - June 2, 2019 ($69)
Beginning Cheese Making - TBD
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Winter Vegetable Gardening - August 10, 2019 ($79)
Beginning Cheese Making - TBD
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September 2019 Workshops
Winter Vegetable Gardening - September 15, 2019 ($79)
Beginning Cheese Making - TBD
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Winter Vegetable Gardening - October 12, 2019 ($79)
Beginning Cheese Making - TBD
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Beginning Cheese Making - TBD
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Beginning Cheese Making - TBD
Enjoyed last Sunday's class on Beginning Cheese Making at New Leaf Store classroom in Santa Cruz. Instructor was excellent (!)and we understood soft cheeses and made Mozzarella Cheese. It takes time to make soft and hard cheese after you make the cheese for the "curded" cheese to age. Not possible for a same day class. It takes patience!
Would like to take the Advanced Cheese Making Class which takes two days and doubles the class fee for two days. Hard
Cheeses are the next step up from soft cheeses. Interested in Blue Cheese, Cheddar.
Have friends that make beer and wine in their houses. Some design their beer/wine racks around their furniture. True Geeks for home brewing!
Keep up the good work! For us urban dwellers with limited living space, the cheese making could be a fun hobby!
Posted by: Roy Robinson | September 20, 2016 at 11:42 AM
Thanks for a fantastic Spring Veg class, Cynthia. It was well worth the 3 hour drive each way! You are a wealth of knowledge and I learned so much. I also loved how you kept the class focused on what you had to teach versus everyone's personal challenges and questions. Can't wait to get the slides so I can review and get my starts going. Look forward to seeing you at the next 6 classes I've signed up for!
Posted by: barrie | January 17, 2016 at 10:46 AM
Penny: We have tried to communicate with you several times after your class registration, but they all must be going into your spam folder. Please check that and allow communications from loveapplefarm@gmail.com. I can't even email you now, because it will go into your spam folder. If you don't tell your email account to accept us as an "ok", non-spammer, then I can't tell you to go ahead and come to this Saturday's Tomato Transplants class.
Posted by: Cynthia Sandberg | February 24, 2015 at 07:54 AM
I was all signed up for your earlier-in-February seed-starting tomato class and simply couldn't find the class location. after stopping at a nursery in Scott's Valley and being directed to Vinehill Road off Highway 17, I still couldn't find you in the rain. After searching in vain for another hour, I returned home to Fremont. Could you possibly allow me to rebook into the Feb. 28th class? My garden and I would very much appreciate your understanding of my situation.
Penny Johnson
Posted by: penny johnson | February 20, 2015 at 04:26 PM
Since I had to winterize my garden I've been obessisvely planning my spring garden. When do you think you will have the 2015 tomato list availbale on-line? I know, I know it's still December but if I can't be out in my garden then I can at least plan my 2015 garden!!
Posted by: Christine Berge | December 29, 2014 at 03:45 PM
Hi Cynthia, I have used your tomatoe growing formula for several years while still in Morgan Hill, CA. We moved to East Texas recently, using the same formula, I'm the envy of my new neighbors for the healthiest tomatoe producing tomato plants. I use many of your practices in my veggie beds here, even with heavy red clay soil. Thanks for all the info you post.
Posted by: Cathy Goorman-DePorter | July 07, 2014 at 04:57 PM
Norma: Yes, we will be at the SF Flower & Garden show, held at the San Mateo Convention Center, from Wednesday, March 19 to the 23. Come see us!
Posted by: Love Apple Farms | March 15, 2014 at 11:22 PM
Great value, incredible know-how!
I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains and it is a blessing to have Love Apple Farms so close to home. I attended a recent tomato from seed class and it was simply outstanding. Cynthia does a great job in her teaching, and as a somewhat novice gardener I learned a tremendous amount. I was able to bring home 48 different tomato seed varietals to grow this season. Not only was it a great experience, but the LAF beliefs in sound gardening principles, with a big nod towards productive yet environmentally sensible practices. I used to buy "miracle-No"......now I buy worm poop. Enough said. Thanks Cynthia. Looking forward to fun in the sun in my garden!
Dan Connor
Posted by: Dan Connor | March 12, 2014 at 11:18 AM
Are you going to be at the San Mateo Convention Center again this year? If so, when?
Posted by: Norma Singer | March 09, 2014 at 06:43 PM
We loved the Chicken keeping class! We have our chicks happy and safe at home in their little brooder box.
We are eager to take another one of the classes you offer like cheese making and bee keeping or any of the yummy cooking classes.
Thank you so much for all the helpful information.
Posted by: Lise Carver | October 06, 2013 at 11:36 AM
LAF
Thank you so much for the wonderful.,well organized,informative How Garden Skills day! The lunch was a fabulous added plus. Wish I could have attends all lectures. This is a great idea for people with some garden knowledge and to supliment and reinforce. Class and workshop info. I will be back for more of both.
Susanne
Posted by: Susanne Cellura | August 04, 2013 at 06:46 AM
Hi Cynthia, we love your site and the very helpful information. We visit frequently for advice, recipes and so much more... Our homegrown kale, swiss chard, spinach and all our veggies thank you! We love growing our own food, cooking with wood fired ovens and dining outdoors! No more processed foods for us...
George
Posted by: Outdoor Ovens | January 27, 2013 at 11:08 AM
I just had to thank you for that wonderful wreath making class. What fun! Now when driving to work i look at all the potential wreath making foliage by the road. I'm seeing the world in a whole different light. My family loved the wreath i made and i felt so accomplished making that wreath. Thank you again and again for such a wonderfully entertaining and fascinating class.
Posted by: Terye Balogh | November 20, 2012 at 01:23 PM
I have a strong resolve this year to gather up your recommended list of ingredients to grace my tomato holes. Thanks for the great tips and as always, your goodwill to share this information so that we may all have tomato bragging rights!
Posted by: Dede Dodson | April 28, 2011 at 06:19 AM
Greetings, Cynthia! I always look forward to receiving your helpful Newletter. I found your comments "Growing Tomato Transplants From Seed" so very simple to follow and helpful. One hardly ever sees the instruction for canning/preserving. It brings back memories of my grandmother canning things from the garden when I was a child. Life today is about making good memories to last a life time. Thank you for making that possible for so many folks!
Posted by: Gary Millwood | February 17, 2011 at 02:00 PM
Hi,I live in Arroyo Grande and last spring I followed your directions for tomato planting exactly as described including the fish heads. The summer weather was so awful cold at night and cool and/or over cast during the day that the plants grew very slowly and we never got one tomato from any of the 9 var. we planted. My farmers' market friends were equally challenged. I'm definitely coming up for a class. I've seen requests for video tapes - is this a possibility? Hope so, Jane
Posted by: Jane Baker | February 02, 2011 at 10:26 PM
I really enjoyed visiting the farm for the tomato seedling sale last spring. Now I look forward to visiting your new farm if possible. Thanks, your farm is wonderful!
Posted by: John Viken | November 19, 2010 at 03:35 AM
I seriously think you need to open up another Love Apple Farm, only in NE Ohio! PLEEEEEEASE!!!
Posted by: Jeph Remley | November 17, 2010 at 07:59 AM
Thank you for sharing the Love & the Apples :)
Posted by: Michaelia Morgan | November 16, 2010 at 09:26 PM
Wow! All I can say is that I wish I were in your area so that I could attend your classes. They sound awesome!! But, alas, I'm in Montana.
You do a fantastic job and I truly enjoy reading your blog, newsletter and facebook.
Happy Gardening!
~Carla
JustRSize Acres
Montana
Posted by: Carla | November 16, 2010 at 05:49 PM
Loved the tomatoes i got from your farm, through as sister..wish I had had more sun though!!
Posted by: Penny | November 16, 2010 at 03:34 PM
I love your farm too and you have some great classes coming up. I always look forward to what all you have going on.
Cathy
Posted by: Cathy Holt | November 16, 2010 at 02:01 PM
Hi Cynthia,
I SO want to come back and see the new location! You are an inspiration to the little farmer in me that is longing to come out!
Posted by: deb tietjen | November 16, 2010 at 01:07 PM
I am hooked! It started with some seeds and your early spring gardening class and the rest is history, at least to my family. I am excited to take many more of your classes in 2011.
Posted by: elena lawson | November 16, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Look forward to growing next season!
Posted by: Ivan A. | November 16, 2010 at 10:46 AM