Pre-registration is required. If you’d like to attend, you can register in person at our retail outlet, or by phone: (604) 952-8820. Please register as early as possible for each course that interests you.
Getting Started with Mason Bees
The Blue Orchard Mason Bee is a miracle of nature and provides enthusiastic services to growers of fruits and vegetables. These industrious little bees are easy to keep and care for, both on a farm or an apartment balcony. Master beekeeper Brian Campbell will cover all aspects of mason bee care, and explain how we can help them to help ourselves. ($15.00)
Sunday January 15th, 1-3pm
Garden Planning 101
Growing food successfully is all about careful planning, whether you have an allotment in a community garden or a family farm. Choosing what to plant and when (and where) to plant it involves thoughtful consideration and calculation. Join Master Gardener Brian Campbell as he discusses how to get the maximum harvest out of any size of space. Organic gardening basics for novices and experienced growers alike. ($15.00)
Sunday January 22nd, 1-3pm
Organic Pest Solutions
A healthy garden is full of bugs – some beneficial, and others not so much. But before you go buggy and reach for insecticide, it’s worth learning the organic approach to garden pests. Brian Campbell will discuss Integrated Pest Management – a down-to-earth and thoughtful way of dealing with pest species, from analyzing the problem to the best organic solution. ($15.00)
Sunday, January 29th, 1-3pm
Success with Seeds
Growing food (and herbs & flowers) from seed is both economical and easy. Even in a small garden, masses of food can be produced from a simple packet of seeds. But not all seeds need the same treatment. Master Gardener Brian Campbell will cover all aspects of planting seeds, from the most basic principles to some professional tricks like stratification and vernalization. ($15.00)
Sunday, February 5th, 1-3pm
Sunday, February 19th, 1-3pm
Saturday, March 10th, 1-3pm
Secrets to Great Soil
The key ingredient to growing a strong, healthy, pest and disease resistant crop is great soil. Brian Campbell will discuss strategies to build and improve soil, from the addition of organic matter to different soil amendments. Join us for this master class on how to cultivate the ultimate garden soil. ($15.00)
Sunday, April 1st, 1-3pm
All About Tomatoes
Early spring is the time to plant tomatoes from seed. But which varieties should you try, and what are the best ways to insure a successful crop? Mark Macdonald will cover all aspects of tomato growing, from choosing your variety to harvesting your own seeds at the end of summer. Come and learn about soil, fertilizers, pruning, heirloom history, disease prevention and more! ($15.00)
Sunday, February 26th, 1-3pm
Sunday March 11th, 1-3pm
Companion Planting
Plants, like people, live in communities. Learn how certain combinations of plants can increase your garden’s health, reduce damage from pests, and even improve flavour. Brian Campbell will discuss this ancient approach to organic gardening with regards to its folklore and its science. ($15.00)
Sunday, March 4th, 1-3pm
Gardening for Pollinators
All gardeners depend on bees and other pollinators to produce good fruits and vegetables. With honeybees in decline, what strategies can growers and home gardeners take to preserve and encourage bumblebees (and a host of other wild bees) to build healthy populations near to the growing area? Master beekeeper Brian Campbell will talk about our relationship with, and dependence on, pollinators – and what we can do to support them. ($15.00)
Sunday, March 18th, 1-3pm
Grafting Heirloom Apples & Other Fruit Trees
Master Gardener Brian Campbell reveals expert techniques for harvesting living tissue from one tree and grafting it to another to produce different varieties of apples growing from the same tree. Learn how you can preserve diversity by grafting different tree fruits like the professionals. Please bring a clean, sharp knife to this class. Grafting materials will be provided. ($45.00 - includes materials)
Sunday, March 25th, 1-3pm
Containers & Raised Beds
Is your growing space restricted to a small back yard or balcony? Are you part of a community allotment garden? Join Brian Campbell for a lively talk about how to make the most of limited space, and how to maximize your harvest all season. Learn about the basic requirements for soil and space, and practical tips to help you grow food on the small scale. ($25.00 - includes container, soil, seeds)
Sunday, April 15th, 1-3pm
Urban Beekeeping
Thinking of taking up beekeeping? We’ll discuss the beekeeper’s year, the tools and equipment you’ll need, and the challenges faced by both bees and their keepers. Master beekeeper Brian Campbell will teach you about the hands on demands – and rewards – of managing a hive in an urban (or suburban) environment. ($15.00)
Sunday, May 6th, 1-3pm
Our instructors
Brian Campbell: Well known for his extensive knowledge of plants and pollinators, Brian is dedicated to sharing the importance of bees in our ecosystem and food security. He regularly teaches, mentors, and advises apprentice beekeepers and gardeners of all ages. Brian is our West Coast Seeds Bee and Sustainable Gardening reference person.
David Bradbeer: David is the Program Coordinator at Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust, and focuses on developing, administering, and evaluating the effectiveness of land stewardship programs, including the winter cover crop and grassland set-aside programs. David specializes in soil science, the use of farmland by wintering waterfowl, and small mammal and raptor populations in grassland set-asides.
Mark Macdonald: Mark manages seed trials for West Coast Seeds, and grows many varieties in gardens around Ladner. He blogs for West Coast Seeds at www.gardenwisdom.ca and has written extensively on vegetable gardening in the Lower Mainland. Mark photographs and writes much of the content of the West Coast Seeds Catalogue and Growing Guide.
Cathy Houghland: Cathy is a longtime gardener in Delta, and an expert at coaxing the best out of the land. Cathy and her family are self-sufficient - most of their annual vegetable needs are harvestd from their home garden. A market grower in the past, Cathy's commercial venture now focuses on growing sweet peas for florists. If you have questions about cover crops, beneficial insects, soil improvement, vegetable preserving, or growing a glorious assortment of sweet peas, Cathy is available at the Elliott Street store to provide expert advice.
Nance Frisken: Nance has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. She is passionate about growing food and is a strong advocate for local sustainable food sources. She believes the seeds of healthy living begin with knowing where our food comes from. Nance works for West Coast Seeds, gives corporate and community wellness seminars, and also does one-on-one nutritional consulting.
The Classroom at West Coast Seeds
The Classroom at West Coast Seeds is available for certain special occasions, and can accommodate up to 40 people. If you are interested in using the space for workshops or classes related to organic gardening or farming, please contact us.
West Coast Seeds is pleased to offer receptions for garden clubs, community gardens, and all our friends in the organic movement. If your garden club would like to be hosted at West Coast Seeds, please let us know well in advance, and we'll provide refreshments, talk about what we do, and provide your group with expert garden advice.
The Classroom is located above the West Coast Seeds retail store in a heritage building known as Jordan's Stables. We regret that the Classroom is not wheelchair accessible.