Upcoming Events
UPCOMING EVENTS
Planting Fall Crops
Learn the what, when and where of fall garden planting.
This event will be at the FAO orchard Community Gardens.
Register
Volunteer Day
Calling ALL volunteers!
Managing a community garden takes a community! We have two locations and lots to do.
We will work at 334 Forest Ave (FAO ORCHARD) 10-11:30.
We will move to 1426 16TH ST (FAO GARDEN) 12-1:30.
We have gloves and tools. There is mulch in both locations ready to be spread, we have weeding and invasive removal to do, brush and wood piles to remove and much more.
No need to sign up, just SHOW UP!
CANCELLED Insects in the Garden
In this unique class Brandon Kam of Symbiotic Gardens takes a look at insects in the garden. Are they good, are they bad? You can tell a lot about the health of a garden based on the insects you find living there. Join Brandon at the FOA Orchard 334 Forest Ave to learn more about this fascinating subject!
Volunteer Day
Another opportunity to get involved at Forest Avenue Outreach!
We will host a volunteer event at our orchard location (334 Forest Ave DSM)
Goals for this event include weeding the raised garden beds, clearing unwanted brush and spreading mulch in the community gardens.
For questions contact Lindsey Coyne FAO garden manager
217 503-6555
POSTPONED Planting for Pollinators
Join Forest Avenue Outreach garden committee member, Breann Bye, as she discusses the benefits of planting for pollinators. Breann is the Executive Director of 6th Avenue Corridor and is involved in many community projects in the area. Learn about native and invasive plant species while visiting the native prairie located at the Forest Avenue Outreach Orchard.
Pollinators are an essential part of our natural world. More than 90% of the world's wildflowers rely on pollinators for reproduction and 75% of leading global crop types benefit from animal pollination in production, yield and quality. See how you can help ensure that local pollinators continue to thrive in our area.
We will be rescheduling this event for a date in July. Check back for more details!
Composting
Learn how to compost with a local gardening expert, Brandon Kam of Symbiotic Gardens. Participants will learn how to start composting, what can and can't be added to compost, as well as how and when to use compost.
Register for event:
https://secure.givelively.org/event/forestaveoutreach/composting
Eating Weeds?! Workshop
Learn from local garden experts! Lindsey Coyne of Herb & Forage is teaching us about the plants we can use that grow as "weeds". Lindsey is an herbalist and a nutritionist, with years of plant foraging experience. You may have seen dandelion greens for sale at the store... this is just the start of it! Get Your Tickets!
Planting a Veggie Garden
Learn about veggie gardening from a local gardening expert, Brandon Kam of Symbiotic Gardens. If you are a beginner or an avid gardener, let Brandon advise you on the solutions for a successful start to your gardening season!
Brandon will teach best practices, answer your gardening questions, and teach techniques for a thriving vegetable garden. This class will get your hands into the community garden soil, and you will take home plants for your home garden! Supplies provided.
Companion Planting
Learn from local garden experts! Lindsey Coyne of Herb & Forage is teaching us about companion planting. Companion planting is a technique of planting certain plants together to naturally keep away pests & help your garden grow.
You will learn from Lindsey, plant in the community garden, and take home companion plants for your home garden. All levels of gardening experience welcome!
This class is outdoors at the FAO Orchard's teaching garden.
Earth Day - Community Garden Clean Up
Earth Day rescheduled by mother nature! Bring your gloves, bring a friend and pitch in on preparing the gardens for the growing season. We think you’ll love the orchard, too! Then come back in the fall for apple picking time!
Seed Starting
Start this year's indoor seed trays with a local gardening expert, Brandon Kam of Symbiotic Gardens. If you've tried indoor seed starting in the past and ran into problems, let Brandon advise you on the solutions for a successful start to your gardening season! If you are new to indoor seed starting - this is a perfect workshop to start at.
Get Your Tickets! Supplies provided: seeds, trays with dome lids, soil. Feel free to bring your own seeds, if you have a fav! You'll leave class with the knowledge and your own tray of planted seeds, to take home and nurture. Brandon prefers a certain type of inexpensive light for indoor seed starting and will supply you with a handout covering supplies and best practices to set you up to succeed!
A special thanks to sponsors Des Moines Feed & Nature Center! Visit them at 2019 Hubbell Ave DSM for your animal feed supplies and gardening needs.
Pruning Fruit Trees
Join our friends from Trees Forever to put your pruning skills to practice at Forest Ave. Outreach community garden! Tutorial will start at 10:00, with tools and gloves provided. Practice and demonstrate your pruning skills and help the community garden and orchard.
Tap Roots on Tap - Pruning & winter tree care
Brought to us by Trees Forever DSM. Join us at Peace Tree Brewing to learn about pruning and winter tree care! Forest Avenue Outreach will be presenting on their community garden initiatives and volunteer opportunities as well. We will be hosting a volunteer pruning event the following Saturday (2/18) at 10:00 a.m. at 334 Forest Ave. to put our pruning into practice. Tools will be provided!
