Ethical Eating

Backyard Farming: More Classes at the Urban Farmer

I'm kind of addicted to jalapeno peppers. And Tabasco. And Sriracha. Okay, I'm into really hot food in general, and there's no point in trying to tell me that too much spice only ruins a meal. That's just a ridiculous thing to say. Anyway, last night we had a jalapeno...

By Jon Van Zile

January 7, 2011

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I'm kind of addicted to jalapeno peppers. And Tabasco. And Sriracha. Okay, I'm into really hot food in general, and there's no point in trying to tell me that too much spice only ruins a meal. That's just a ridiculous thing to say.

Anyway, last night we had a jalapeno emergency. The time came to load up dinner with those delicious little bastards and I realized someone had eaten the last jalapeno peppers and didn't tell me. I panicked at first. It wasn't exactly dignified, but when something is really important, dignity is a matter of perspective.

But then I remembered why I love this time of year.

Instead of running out for the store, I went outside, picked a few

habanero, mixed some diced habanero with lime and cilantro (also from

the yard) and I was good to go.

If you want to be like me and grow your own kitchen garden, you're in luck. The Urban Farmer

in Pompano (954.586.6686) holds regular classes on the best ways to

grow your own food, including everything from self-watering containers

to vertical hydroponics gardens. Check out the January class schedule

and learn for yourself:

EarthBox Classes:
The class includes an EarthBox, plus instructions on how to use it to grow pretty much everything.

Dates/Times:
Saturday, January 8: 10:30 am
Sunday, January 9: 10:30 am
Saturday, January 15: 10:30 am
Sunday, January 16: 10:30 am
Wednesday, January 19: 10:30 am
Saturday, January 22: 10:30 am
Sunday, January 23: 10:30 am
Wednesday, January 26: 10:30 am
Saturday, January 29: 10:30 am
Sunday, January 30: 10:30 am

PRICE: $50

Backyard Farming Classes:
Designed to help you understand the techniques and principles involved in growing food, rather than landscape plants (hint: a lot less pesticides). Learn about crop rotation, pollination, and best growing techniques.

Dates/Times:
Saturday, January 8: 1:00 pm
Saturday, January 15: 3:00 pm
Wednesday, January 19: 2:00 pm
Saturday, January 22: 3:00 pm
Saturday, January 29: 3:00 pm

PRICE: $49

Vertical Gardening Basics
Learn how to use the Verti-Gro hydroponic vertical growing system and turn your small backyard into a farmer's market. Don't worry: it only sounds complicated.

Dates/Times:
Saturday, January 8: 10:45 am
Saturday, January 15: 10:45 am
Saturday, January 22: 10:45 am
Saturday, January 29: 10:45 am

PRICE: $29

Follow Clean Plate Charlie on Twitter: @CleanPlateBPB.

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