Thriving Gardens Course

Registration for the 2023 growing season is closed!

Email angela(at)vtgardens.org if you would like to be placed on a waitlist. 

Note: The Thriving Gardens Course is officially the new name for the Community Teaching Garden Course. Please note the only thing that has changed is the name, everything else that was the CTG course will remain the same. 

OVERVIEW

The Thriving Gardens Course is a unique garden education program offered by the Vermont Garden Network to teach adults how to grow their own food in a fun, supportive, and cooperative learning environment. The 6-month long course follows the rhythm of the growing season through weekly lessons and hands-on garden work.

In a nutshell:

  • 24 weeks of class instruction (24 Wednesday evenings + 5 Saturday mornings)
  • Students individually maintain their own 80 square foot garden bed
  • Shared garden space is available for select vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers
  • Monthly make-and-take lessons in food preservation and herbalism

WHEN

  • 24 weeks from May 3 to October 13.
  • Weekly classes are scheduled on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 – 7:30pm.
  • Monthly make-and-take workshops are scheduled on one Saturday per month, from 9:30am – 12:00pm.  (May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9)

In addition to weekly classes and monthly workshops, participants are expected to visit the garden on their own flexible schedule to keep up with garden tasks such as watering, weeding, and harvesting.

During Saturday workshops students learn about dyeing fabrics with plants, how-to make medicinal salves, and food preservation techniques through kimchi and sauerkraut making. 

WHERE

Ethan Allen Homestead BTV, on the unceded Lands of the Abenaki people.

Students tending to their plots and enjoying the harvest.

COURSE FEE, SCHOLARSHIPS & PAYMENT PLANS

Registration fee: $550

Early bird fee for full payments before February 20: $500

Includes:

  • 62 hours of class time (lessons & hands-on learning)
  • all necessary gardening materials (seeds, plants, fertilizers, tools, etc.)
  • make-and-take items (herbalism & food preservation products)
  • and as many fresh vegetables as you can grow!

Partial scholarships are available for individuals with limited income.  

Monthly payment plans can be arranged.  If you are interested in this option, please first fill out the course registration form so that we can follow up with you.

If you would like to share the experience with someone you know, please consider signing up for a “pair share registration”.  The individual fee for a pair share registration is $300. Each individual must complete their own registration and pay the $300 fee.

Vegetables that require special growing conditions like garlic are grown in our communal beds and then shared amongst the class!

Questions?  Email: angela (at) vtgardens.org

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