People's University Home, Garden and Beyond Classes
Raspberry and Blackberry Production for the Home Grower
The course provides the home grower with the knowledge to manage raspberry and blackberry plants for home production. Topics include: cultivar selection, pruning for yield, trellising, planting methods, fertilization schedules, and disease prevention and control. Although brambles grow freely and usually produce a good crop, with a little extra care they grow neatly and consistently produce high yields of quality fruit. Co-sponsored by Bloomingfoods 
Instructor: Keith Uridel and his family manage Backyard Berry Plants, a certified organic nursery and farm where they produce plants and fruits of blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry.
Tu, Th 2/7-2/9 · 6-8 p.m.
Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, 2367 E. 10th St.
$16/in-city, $19/non-city ― Register by 2/2 (Code 17622-A)
Vegetable Gardening in Containers
If your soil or site makes gardening in the ground difficult or impossible, containers offer another way to grow vegetables and fruit. The class provides information on appropriate containers for different crops, recipes for growing mediums, and fertilizer recommendations. Container growing is also a great way to save your back, avoid soil-borne diseases, and create specialized growing conditions for challenging crops.
Tu 2/21 · 6:30-8:30 p.m.
City Hall, Kelly Conference Room, #155
$12/in-city, $14/non-city ― Register by 2/16 (Code 17623-A)
Homemade Organic Remedies for Garden Problems
If you're tired of spending money on expensive organic formulations to rid your garden of insect pests, plant diseases, and nutrient deficiencies, this is the class for you. Learn how to make inexpensive organic formulations at home that enable you to safely and successfully correct problems in the garden. Recipes provided.
Sa 3/24 · 2-4 p.m.
Hinkle-Garton Farmstead Historic Suite, 2920 E. 10th St.
$14/in-city, $16/non-city ― Register by 3/21 (Code 17630-A)
Garden Planning 101
It's time to start planning your 2012 garden! We'll discuss soil preparation techniques, creating a planting calendar for successive harvests, and planning ideas for your best garden yet. For the new to semi-experienced gardener. Free childcare available for children ages 8-12 yrs. Co-sponsored by Mother Hubbard's Cupboard and Bloomingfoods.
Instructor: Stephanie Solomon is the Garden and Nutrition Coordinator of Mother Hubbard's Cupboard food pantry and has taught many gardening and classes for People's University. She is an organic educator certified in permaculture design.
Th 2/23 · 6-7:30 p.m.
Banneker Community Center, Kitchen
$7/in-city, $8/non-city ― Register by 2/20 (Code 17624-A)
Polyculture Paradise: A Brief Introduction to Forest Gardens
Whether you currently live in a forest or just enjoy learning about new ways to garden, this class provides the information you need to construct one of the most productive landscapes ever known: a forest garden. The class covers the structure of a forest and how to replicate that structure in your landscape, including discussions of light, water, buildings, and harvesting. Co-sponsored by Bloomingfoods.
Instructor: Rhonda Baird is a seventh-generation Hoosier and continues to hone many of the skills she learned from her parents related to gardening, animal care, and building. She became a permaculture educator and designer in 2005 and is Assistant Editor for The Permaculture Activist. She is active in many of the community's sustainability groups.
Tu 2/28 · 6-7:30 p.m.
Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, 2367 E. 10th St.
$10/in-city, $12/non-city ― Register by 2/23 (Code 17628-A)
Edible Landscaping to Suit Your Palate
Imagine fresh vegetables, juicy berries, and luscious tree fruits growing harmoniously in an aesthetically pleasing landscape around your home. This workshop will help you transform your home landscape into a beautiful oasis of abundant food-producing plants. Co-sponsored by Bloomingfoods.
Instructor: Rhonda Baird is a seventh-generation Hoosier and continues to hone many of the skills she learned from her parents related to gardening, animal care, and building. She became a permaculture educator and designer in 2005 and is Assistant Editor for The Permaculture Activist. She is active in many of the community's sustainability groups.
Tu 3/20-3/27 · 6-7:30 p.m.
Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, 2367 E. 10th St.
$13/in-city, $15/non-city ― Register by 3/15 (Code 17628-A)
Master Composter Class
Learn how to be an expert composter and how to share your expertise with others. The class is based on the Cornell Waste Management Institute's Master Composter curriculum with additional content added. Students may take the class for their own enrichment or, with the completion of a final presentation and 20 hours of volunteer educational outreach, be certified as Master Composters.
A reference notebook is included in the registration fee. Optional field trips and hands-on activities will be scheduled on some Saturdays during the class. Co-sponsored by Bloomingfoods, Bloomington Food Policy Council, Center for Sustainable Living, and The District ... Where Green Living Begins.
Instructors: H. Michael Simmons, Advanced Master Gardener and Master Composter, with a team of compost educators
Th 3/22-4/26 · 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, 2367 E. 10th St.
$50/in-city, $55/non-city ― Register by 3/19 (Code 17629-A)
Water: Harvesting and Storing It
The class examines the many ways we use water and how to harvest and store it safely and economically. It focuses on practical applications for the home and garden. Co-sponsored by Bloomingfoods.
Instructor: Rhonda Baird is a seventh-generation Hoosier and continues to hone many of the skills she learned from her parents related to gardening, animal care, and building. She became a permaculture educator and designer in 2005 and is Assistant Editor for The Permaculture Activist. She is active in many of the community's sustainability groups.
Tu 4/3-4/10· 6:30-8 p.m.
Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, 2367 E. 10th St.
$13/in-city, $15/non-city ―Register by 3/29 (Code 17631-A)
Cats, Dogs, and Ducks, Oh MY!
Can we all live together happily? The class explores the role of companion animals in a sustainable lifestyle and the role of animals in a sustainable or regenerative landscape. Co-sponsored by Bloomingfoods.
Instructor: Rhonda Baird is a seventh-generation Hoosier and continues to hone many of the skills she learned from her parents related to gardening, animal care, and building. She became a permaculture educator and designer in 2005 and is Assistant Editor for The Permaculture Activist. She is active in many of the community's sustainability groups.
Tu 4/17· 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, 2367 E. 10th St.
$7/in-city, $8/non-city ―Register by 4/12 (Code 17633-A)
Neighbors and Neighborhoods as Villages
How connected are you with your neighbors? The class explores how to build relationships with your neighbors by imagining your neighborhood as a village. It provides tips and tools for connecting with those who live around you through exchanges, city repair, celebrations, and design. Co-sponsored by Bloomingfoods.
Instructor: Rhonda Baird is a seventh-generation Hoosier and continues to hone many of the skills she learned from her parents related to gardening, animal care, and building. She became a permaculture educator and designer in 2005 and is Assistant Editor for The Permaculture Activist. She is active in many of the community's sustainability groups.
Tu 4/24· 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, 2367 E. 10th St.
$10/in-city, $12/non-city ―Register by 4/19 (Code 17635-A)