In response to a growing interest in fall backyard gardening, local non-profit, Crabtree Farms is offering educational opportunities and affordable, healthy plant starts to help Chattanoogans grow their own food this fall.
“While most people are excited to plant their gardens in spring or summer, there is a growing number of people who realize that they can enjoy fresh, homegrown produce throughout the fall and even into the winter,” says Crabtree Farms’ Programs Coordinator, Andrea Jaeger. “We want to make it easy and affordable for anyone interested in growing their own fall produce to start and maintain a successful garden this year.”
On August 30, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Crabtree Farms’ Fall Gardening Workshop will prepare gardeners for fall planting. Crabtree’s Farm Manager and Education Coordinator, Sara McIntyre, will be offering tips and tricks for growing fall crops, including beets, carrots, kohlrabi, lettuce, greens and berry bushes for spring. McIntyre will also offer a list of some of her favorite varieties to grow in our region. The workshop is free for members of Crabtree Farms, or $10 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling 493-9155, x10 or emailing achill@crabtreefarms.org.
Crabtree Farms’ 12th Annual Fall Plant Sale & Festival on September 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will once again offer vegetable, fruit, and herb gardeners a chance to purchase local, sustainably-grown plants for their home gardens. Crabtree Farms’ greenhouse manager, Mike Barron, grows and propagates plants with help from community volunteers, using sustainable methods. Specific plant varieties are also tested on the urban farm. This ensures that Crabtree Farms’ plants are uniquely suited for growing in the Chattanooga region. Several varieties of perennial and hardy annual plants will be offered, including blueberries, hardy kiwi, figs, kohlrabi, kale, rosemary. Fun for the whole family, the Plant Sale also offers live bluegrass music, free gardening workshops, activities for kids, and food and crafts from local artisans. Parking and admission are free.
For customers who wish to shop early, Autumn Harvest garden packs are available for preorder by August 1, for pickup during the Plant Sale. Each garden package offers a tray of healthy and highly-productive plant-starts, cultivated in Crabtree Farms’ greenhouses. Included in the pack are 3 broccoli, 3 Brussel sprout, 3 cabbage, 3 cauliflower, 3 kale, 3 Swiss chard, 6 spinach, 6 onion, 3 lettuce, 1 head of garlic, 1 packet each of radish, beet and pea seed, all of which fit in a 4 X 8 garden bed, at a savings of 20% off regular Plant Sale price. More information about the Autumn Harvest gift pack and the order form are available by calling 493-9155, x10.