Workshop: Winter Vegetable Gardening

 
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.  This is an intensive, all-day workshop. We will discuss over 30 different kinds of winter vegetables.

Everyone gets to sow a flat from our extensive seed bank 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. The earlier in the season you get going, the better, as you need to sow some crops in late summer for winter growing.

This class is taught by farmer Cynthia Sandberg co-founder of the World Tomato Society, and is held at Love Apple Farms' retail location: 5311 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA. Read speaker and class reviews for Cynthia Sandberg here.

ALL CLASSES ARE HELD RAIN OR SHINE AND REQUIRE ADVANCE REGISTRATION
    

September 9, 2023 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. $89 plus small materials fee of $10 << Click on date to register (gift cert holders register by emailing us at [email protected])

September 23, 2023 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  $89 plus small materials fee of $10 << Click on date to register (gift cert holders register by emailing us at [email protected])

October 8, 2023 (Sunday) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  $89 plus small materials fee of $10 << Click on date to register (gift cert holders register by emailing us at [email protected])

Please read our cancellation policy in case you are not able to attend your scheduled class. 
If the workshop dates don’t work for you, if the class is full, or if you’d like to request that another class be added, please email us and we’ll do our best to accommodate you!


Love Apple Farms gift certificates can be used towards classes, seedlings, and merchandise.  They are available for purchase here. 

Check out other classes at Love Apple Farms by clicking here.

Class Participants Say  

" We've taken your summer veg and winter veg classes.  They were invaluable.  I really can't thank you enough for those workshops.  The knowledge and inspiration you gave us has changed the way we relate to food, the way we eat, and even the way we feel about our home.  Growing and cooking our own food is deeply satisfying and nurturing -- and not just for us.  My co-workers have been treated to a whole lot of pumpkin bread, muffins, and risotto, thanks to that first summer veg class!"  -- Andrea

"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." -- Inani

"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." -- Rick

"I really felt that you had great information on winter gardening.  I feel so inspired."  -- Carolyn

"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!" -- Cherie

 

Comments

[mary holford]

Cynthia, I am so glad I found your classes. The winter gardening class was exceptional. The content is shared in such an efficient way and I love the way you conduct the class. Your son Colin was also so helpful. I am now planning to take the Tomato class next. Thank you so much for a wonderful day!

[Cindy Lepore Hart/Cindy's Recipes on Facebook]

I've been growing a vegetable garden for years, but always self-taught. I learned so much in the summer vegetable class, and plan to take the winter vegetable class. The information provided, and the links to other websites for ordering products was worth the cost of the workshop alone.

[Kimberly Gilbert]

Hi, Cynthia,

My husband and I have never gardened before but took your summer veggie class last spring and quite literally transformed out backyard with a gorgeous, gated garden. We got redwood from Santa Cruz for the raised beds, soil from Watsonville, grew many plants from seeds and have managed to keep it organic all summer. We are wondering if it is too late to sow seeds for a robust winter garden. We could not attend your August winter veggie class and cannot attend the class this Saturday, either. Help! We want to keep up the spirit and don't know the best source of information to get started!
Jim and Kimberly Gilbert

[Michelle Carter]

I took this class two years ago and have enjoyed a robust winter garden every year since! Cynthia teaches insider tips of growing the best veggies during winter months and I never knew it would be so rewarding! Thank you Cythia!

[sea]

I wish I could come to your last winter class! You probably don't remember us, but we successfully grew some of your beautiful tomatoes on a balcony in Mountain View. Now we have bought a house in Sunnyvale(with great yard and gardening possibilities) and can't wait to garden. Unfortunately, we are moving this very weekend and so can't sign up for your class on the 3rd! We'd love to see your new farm, too. *sigh* Oh well... perhaps we can attend some other workshop this winter.

[Love Apple Farm]

Beverly: If this is happening at night, it may very well be rats or mice. Try putting out some snaptraps underneath your tomatoes baited with a piece of bacon or dried catfood tied to the trigger with thread.

I have also lost almost-ripe tomatoes to opossums. As soon as I trapped them, the damage stopped.

[Beverly Anderson]

Hi Cynthia,
I am having a terrible time with birds (I belive it is birds) that come and peck at my tomatoes as soon as they are "almost" ripe to pick. We have seven plants and most are like small trees! (with your recipe) and although late with fruit this year do to the cold (monterey Pennisula) they are now full of green tomatoes. As I wait, daily checking for color just as one turns it is pecked. We spent $30.00 for an Owl we also have pinwheels. Other than asking my husband to spend the night with the tomatoes...not a good idea. What to do?? we tried earlier to cover the Stupice with net over the cage but then the leaves started looking sick.
Beverly Anderson

[Annette Moeller]

Can't say enough 'good' about this class! My second class here at Love Apple Farm and the education is priceless. Her class is run at a nice pace.......class time, walk thru her garden....learning about pests, problems, how to plant seeds and transplants. Always a treat to see her garden...that in itself is an education! A quick lunch and than planting seeds and learning care for them.......48 little containers planted and now I'm waiting for them to sprout! Love her little freebies at the end of class.....transplants ready to go into the garden. And you bet I'll be back for another class! Thanks Cynthia and gang!

[Kelly Hoover]

Thank you Cynthia! I enjoyed the class, and as usual, learned a great deal. I'm looking forward to implementing all of the wonderful advice you were able to pass on in my own garden. Having felt guilty for not keeping my raised beds going through the winter months, I now feel like I not only can do that, but will likely need to put in a couple of new beds to allow for all of the new crops I want to plant---now that I know what/when/where/how to plant!
best, Kelly

[Sara S.]

Hi Cynthia,

Thank you for your eye opening class on winter veggies. What I learned in your class is a "life changing" event for my garden. Knowing now what I did not know, I'm amazed my humble little garden has ever produced anything. But plants are amazing. It is their persistence that makes me admire them so. Hopefully, they won't have to try so hard any more.

[Steve Tanner]

This is the second class I've taken from Cynthia, the first was her backyard chicken class in April (we just got our first egg this morning!).

Like the chicken class, the winter garden class was comprehensive without being exhaustive or overwhelming. The way in which she leads the class really helps the students take in a great deal of information without getting bogged down by constant questions and comments (she asks us to hold them until the end, which really does make for a better and more valuable class).

I ended up pulling my "winter" squash (planted way too late), per Cynthia's advice, but came home with some purple cauliflower, pak choi, onions and other goodies to replace them. The advice about protecting against frost and pests was especially useful.

And after you leave, she's always willing to answer any questions via email, often responding in a matter of minutes (not necessary, but really cool).

I highly recommend all of her classes and will likely take more. People drive from all over the greater Bay Area, so I'm grateful I live just a mile away.

[jeanne Simari]

I would have loved to take this class but only got your email today- Aug. 17th. The only class on the schedule I could make is the one tomorrow, Tues. but my day is full of other commitments. Would love more advance notice next time. Thanks.

[Jennifer Chadwick]

Hi Cynthia,

Thanks for an excellent winter vegetable gardening class on Tuesday, August 26. My lettuce and broccoli plants have already sprouted two days after planted. I guess they like warm, sunny days!

[Michelle]

Cynthia, I really enjoyed the class on Tuesday. You had a nice balance of information for both beginning gardeners and those who have been at it for a while. I've been gardening year-round for a number of years but am always looking for ways to improve my gardening skills. I definitely learned some new tricks from you. And thanks for all the great leads for gardening supplies!