People who grow food in their own backyard agree: the benefits are numerous. Spending time outdoors is a kind of meditation and fresh fruits and vegetables are bursting with flavor. You may be surprised to discover that home gardens offer financial benefits as well. According to the National Gardening Association, the average 600-square-foot garden can offer a net profit of $530 in fresh, homegrown produce in a single summer. Two studies reported that if you’re a homeowner, a beautiful garden can increase your property value by as high as 11%.
The proof is in the produce. From March to May, Wild Abundance will offer an intensive 63-hour course on organic gardening designed for beginner and intermediate gardeners to help hone the skills necessary to create an abundant harvest that doesn’t cost a fortune. Courses take place at Wild Abundance, just 20 minutes north of Asheville, on March 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17; May 1, 22, 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
“We want to empower people to feed themselves, to reduce their dependencies on corporate food systems and fossil fuels, and give them a greater sense of independence,” says Natalie Bogwalker, founder of Wild Abundance. Joining Natalie in teaching this course will be Cailen Campbell, Linda Patterson, and Becky Beyer.
Get ready to learn a bit about everything—from garden planning and soil science to appropriate tool use and organic pest control—and create a cost-effective and beautiful garden in an urban or rural setting.
For more information, including course topics and cost, visit wildabundance.net.
