Handmade Gardens

08/27/2026

Class Sept. 12: Growing Seeds for your Garden and your Community-

Or, maybe you want to keep it simple.  Fortunately, many vegetables are much simpler than squashes.  Beans, tomatoes, lettuce….there are still a few things to know, but it’s not rocket science.  

08/18/2026

Class: Dry Farming - Tomatoes and more -

These heirloom tomatoes are sweet and juicy with no irrigation, at all, since we got the starts.  Wait, I thought tomatoes needed lots of water?  Nope.  They are native to high, dry deserts in the Andes.   Heavily watered fruits will be softer, which some people prefer and some people….don’t...

08/05/2026

Pears in the solar fruit dryer. Want to see it in action? Come to class. Next week, Tuesday August 11, 6 pm. https://handmadegardenspdx.com/schedule-classes-tours/class-8-food-preservation-methods/

07/27/2026

Class 8/11: Food Preservation/Solar Cooking -

While we relish our fresh summer salads and luscious fruits, we’re also looking ahead to winter when the garden-fresh food is pretty much kale, kale and kale.  The solar dryers are full of pears and figs, there’s pear butter simmering in the solar oven.  A crock of pickles fermenting in the b...

07/22/2026

https://mailchi.mp/4e74290087fb/pear-harvest-sunday

Our ultra-early pear tree is ready to pick!  Come learn tips for telling when a fruit is ready, and special needs of the pear harvest.  Plus fill up the solar dryer to see how it works.  Learn ideal slicing technique for drying.  And of course you can harvest fruits, flowers and veggies to take...

06/23/2026

Class July 7: Hot Weather Planting!

And what are we planting?  Endive, escarole and radicchio.  These hardy chicories sweeten after frost and will give us delicious and beautiful salads through the winter.

05/29/2026

https://mailchi.mp/1adb0ecf377f/class-june-9-water-wisdom-plan-for-winter-eating
Class June 9, and work-learn party this Sunday!

A few weeks ago it was 90 degrees.  Last week it was 60 and raining.   Today it's 86…what's next?  I’ll keep my raincoat and sun hat by the door.  Rollercoaster weather is the hallmark of climate change: extremes at both ends, with rapid change.

05/29/2026

Get Septic Certified & Save Money! Attention Clark County rural residents. Did you know you are required to inspect your gravity-fed septic system every 3 years? Skip the $100+ professional fees and learn to do it yourself. Join WSU Clark County Extension and Clark County Public Health for an in-person workshop. You will learn how to maintain your well, protect your water, and spot costly problems early. Complete the class and a short exam to get certified to self-inspect your own septic system (for conventional gravity-fed systems only) every-other-time!

What: Well and Septic System Maintenance Workshop
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: 78th St. Heritage Farm (Vancouver, WA)
Cost: $18 per household up to two (Scholarships available)

Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D4fDV4wYd/

Online registration is required! Sign up now at https://WS062326.eventbrite.com. For questions or accommodation requests, contact Terry Koper at [email protected] or 564-397-5729.

05/03/2026

04/30/2026

We'll be there! Still space to register!

Only a few days left to pre-register!
Don’t miss the Small Acreage Expo this Saturday, May 2. Whether you stay all day or drop in for a specific workshop, you’ll learn valuable information like navigating conservation incentives, soil and watershed stewardship, and livestock management. Cap it off with a tour of the historic 78th St. Heritage Farm. Register now to connect with your fellow rural residents, land stewards, and local community members! For more information and to register, visit: https://SA2026Expo.eventbrite.com