Heritage Prairie Farm Classes
Beginner Beekeeping with Bron
Saturday, March 6, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
A Beginners Course on Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden.  Bron will outline the basics about bees, keeping bees healthy naturally and what equipment you won't want to be without. Every student will get our favorite reference-the latest edition of the Backyard Beekeeper. Beginner Beekeeping Class costs $40.

New this year! Order beekeeping equipment and honey bees from Heritage Prairie Farm, contact Bron for more information.

Vegetable and Herb Garden Classes by Vicki Nowicki
Vicki Nowicki of Liberty Gardens is an award winning vegetable gardener and advocate for home gardeners. She will begin a series of hands-on vegetable and herb garden classes at Heritage Prairie Farm. Register for classes online or by calling 630-443-8253. When registering for classes online, please enter 'class' in the voucher field to eliminate shipping charges.

Cool Season Veggie Garden-at-a-Glance
Wednesday, March 3, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Let’s kick off the season by making a plan for what to plant and when to plant it. We’ll nail down the entire cool season of planting and while we’re at it we’ll start some seeds to take home for some of the best crops! Remember, what and when is half the battle!
Cost $45

Prepare Your Organic Vegetable Garden
Friday, March 5, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Let’s see what an organic garden cleanup looks like and then let’s actually do it at HPM Farm’’s new ornamental herb garden. Dress for the weather and learn about broadforks, compost rock powders, cover crops and more!
Cost $30

Let Us Plant Lettuce
Wednesday, March 10, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lettuces come in such variety that they form a “wheel of taste from sweet to bitter. We will plant seeds to take home 12 lettuces to form that wheel, then learn to compose salads and accompaniments from some of the possible combinations. Fun and tea will be had by all.
Cost $45

No Fail Compost
Friday, March 12 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
This is a no gadgets, no boosters, no extra-fancy bin, no fail compost class. This early date is provided so that students will have enough time to start collecting and saving their carbon materials. We will learn how and especially why compost is formed so we’ll have a running start on the season. Compost is the heart and soul of the organic garden!
Cost $30

The Wearin’ Of The Greens
Friday, March 19, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Greens can be a unifying mainstay in the garden and in the year round diet. Vegetables like kale, chard, asian greens, savoy cabbages and more may be unfamiliar but, “Have I got a surprise for you!” Let’s start seeds to take home, not to worry- recipes, too.
Cost $45

Spring Into Spring
Saturday, March 20, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Dress for the weather! Want to see what crazy vegetable lovers do? We plant peas and parsnips today. But we also plant early crops under cover and so can you! You’ll see how and get some plants to try at home-yea!
Cost $30

What and Where Do I Order?
Wednesday, March 24, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Digging out from a mountain of catalogs and books? How about a cup of tea and me (Vicki) for a couple of hours? I know the best books- I’ll bring them all. There’s still time to order onions, leeks, and shallots, we’ll put a group order together. I know the best seed houses. 30 years, you guys!
Cost $18

What are Heirloom Vegetables? Why are they important?
Saturday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Yes, heirlooms are family treasures that are passed down to future generations. But they are so much more! Firstly, they represent our heritage, our very history. Secondly, now more than ever, they are a precious and diverse gene pool that must be protected. But the taste! The flavors! Please grow them. Take home an heirloom tomato plant.
Cost $25

Sweeter By The Dozen- Tomatoes
Friday, April 2 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Everyone needs at least 12different sensational varieties of tomatoes in their lives every summer! After we start those seeds we will learn the most successful ways to stake them, little tricks for growing success and a few secrets I usually don’t tell.
Cost $45

Flowers That Flutter By
Saturday, April 3, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
We’ll start seeds for annual flowers that attract pollinators to assist in vegetable development. Some of these happen to be Monarchs for which we will learn about a tagging program to follow the butterflies down to Mexico.
Cost $45

Why Organic? Is it Healthier?
Friday, April 9, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Better For the Planet? Say yes to all the issues that our country faces and our families face. You will be pleasantly surprised to see how your actions can make big changes in your lives and in the world. We will discuss the top ten biggest things you need to easily go organic!
Cost $25

No-fail Compost
Saturday, April 10, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Let’s try this one again in case anyone missed it. This is a no gadgets, no boosters, no extra-fancy bin, no fail compost class. This early date is provided so that students will have enough time to start collecting and saving their carbon materials. We will learn how and especially why compost is formed so we’ll have a running start on the season. Compost is the heart and soul of the organic garden!
Cost $30

Time To Plant Outside!
Friday, April 16, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
No more Memorial Day Broccoli or Spinach. This year we’re getting serious about the garden and that means planting early and learning what gets planted as a seed and what as a transplant. We will learn to broadcast seed, plant transplants, trench plant and we’re going to practice right outside in the garden!
Cost $35

Early ‘Erbs
Saturday, April 17, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Get ‘em while they’re cool! I always forget to harvest my garden sorrel for soup or goat cheese pie. What about chives and lovage! We’ll make a container just for cool season herbs. Bring a 12” container. We’ll come up with the rest- recipes, too!
Cost $50

Way Cool Containers
Friday, April 23, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Anything that grows in the ground can grow in container. The early crops are especially well suited to containers because they mature quickly and don’t get into trouble with heat. Bring a 12” container, we’ll supply plants and growing medium and info about how to grow in containers.
Cost $50

What is “Real Food” I’m Confused?
Friday, April 30, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Don’t be embarrassed if all the new books and articles have you paralyzed at the grocery store. How about a simple deconstruction of all this buzz so you’ll know when to gag and when to brag about what you are eating. At least you’ll know what to hide when the perfect neighbors come over. You might get inspired to grow your own!
Cost $25