One of the best ways to expand our locally-grown diets is to "grow our own," and the popularity of pea patches, community gardens and home-grown vegetables is on the rise. Learn about what's working -- and not working -- in gardens around our area, and share your tips and thoughts by posting comments or contributing an article at
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Save summer in a jar - learn to can!
Written by Admin
Tuesday, 31 August 2010 18:42
Canning is hot stuff. If you're ready to light a fire under your own canning aspirations, several Kitsap-area teachers are offering classes in everything from Canning 101 to more advanced specialties like pickles and gift items. There's even a free online course in food preservation from the University of Georgia. So read on, and start canning!
Canning classes with Master Preserver Carrie West
Learn to can and preserve safely with instructor Carrie West, who has over 30 years of canning/preserving experience and is a trained Master Canner Preserver through Seattle Tilth.
Carrie will teach a class on "Jammin" at Grace Episcopal Church on Wednesday September 29 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. To register call the church at 206-842-9997, extension 17.
Carrie will also teach following Bainbridge Parks Department classes at the Strawberry Hill Kitchen, find information in BI Parks' online catalog (go to Page 23), and login to register online at www.biparks.org:
Tomatoes and Salsas Demonstration: Saturday Sept. 11, 10am to 11:30 am
Pickles, Pickles, Pickles: Sunday, Sept. 26, 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Want to learn to can at home? Carrie is offering custom in-home canning parties for groups up to 4 people. Contact
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for more info.
Farm Kitchen Canning Classes
Brook Hurst, the canning evangelist of Learn to Preserve, will share her expertise in a series of classes at the beautiful Farm Kitchen near Poulsbo. For more information or to register, visit the :
Jam 101: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 6pm to 9pm
How to Pickle: Wednesday September 22, 6 pm to 9 pm
Butters & Chutneys: Sunday, October 24, 1 pm to 4 pm
Kitsap County Extension is offering canning classes this year as well - check out the WSU Kitsap Extension Home Page for more information on this great county resource http://kitsap.wsu.edu/ag/Preserve%20the%20Harvest.pdf The classes will be held in Silverdale, keep reading for more details:
Visit Island chicken coops this weekend on the "Tour de Coop"
Written by Julie Cooper
Wednesday, 14 July 2010 15:25
The second-annual Bainbridge Island "Tour de Coop" is scheduled for Saturday, July 17, from 11-4pm. The vision of islander JoAnn Trick, the Tour de Coop offers a self-guided tour of Bainbridge Island chicken coops, with 100% of the proceeds going to Helpline House. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Tour last year, the number of available tickets has been doubled to accommodate the first 400 purchasers.
This year ten new coops across the island will be featured, four of which were built in the past year with an eye to participating in the Tour. The featured coops include such exotic and extravagantly named venues as: Les Coquettes, Château Poulet, Firehouse Chix, Flying Pig Coop, Chicken Hut, ModChicken, Chick-a-pen Parish, La Maison de Fleur de Mille/La Casa de Huevos, Cabina Gallina, and The Eagle Harbor Congregational Church P-Patch Chicken Coop.
Last year, the Tour successfully raised more than $2400 for Helpline House. When asked if she will continue organizing the event, JoAnn Trick says "So far, it's still fun, so I keep doing it."
As part of the Tour, chicken expert Paul Farley will be on hand at Bay Hay and Feed from 3-4PM to answer any questions from poultry enthusiasts and novices alike. A special after-Tour celebration at Bay Hay and Feed, sponsored by owners Ce-Ann Parker and Howard Block, is open to all Tour-goers and coop owners, and will include chicken chili, drinks, and egg-inspired appetizers.
Ticket sales for the Tour de Coop will begin Saturday, July 10, at Bay Hay and Feed and Classic Cycle. Cash or check accepted. Purchased tickets include a map and directions to the chicken coops. Ticket prices remain the same as last year: Individual by bicycle: $8; Individual by auto: $10; Four people by carpool: $30. For more information about the Tour de Coop, please direct emails to
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Island carpenters craft classy coops
Written by Ryan Nickum
Wednesday, 14 July 2010 11:30
With local enthusiasm for backyard chicken ranching skyrocketing to new heights, many people looking to get into the act are wondering where they can get quality coops to house their hens. The region's economic woes have inadvertently created some local options.
The downturn in the housing market has been terrible for local woodworkers and carpenters, but for childhood friends Berg Danielson and Mead Trick it's pushed them into the new field of chicken coop construction.
Both were born on BainbridgeIsland and have kept chickens for years. The competition between them to corner the local coop market remains friendly and has yet to impact their friendship.
Berg Danielson stumbled upon building coops out of curiosity and desperation. “I was laid off as a finish carpetnter last spring,” said Berg. “And with a new baby on the way, I needed to find a way to make a living.”
After various experiments, he settled on his “Saltbox on Stilts” design, which he describes as “the perfect mobile coop for the urban backyard hen keeper.” They cost $750 and are perfect for three hens. There's one on display at Bay Hay & Feed, or you can view them at www.seattlechickencoops.com. Berg also makes larger coops, and does custom coops and runs. He can be reached at 206-909-2427.
Mead Trick is a cabinet maker with a growing family as well in need of additional work as well. He built his first coop as part of a lesson to teach his kids where their food comes from. “It's also a great place to send your kitchen scraps,” said Trick. “And farm fresh eggs just taste better.”
Mead describes his style of coops as “modern salvage,” and makes use of recycled materials in his designs. Some of those are a little unconventional: A phone receiver or spoons for door handles, trapdoors for easy clean up, license plates, tree branches, and more.
“You can do things with a coop that you simply can't do on a house,” said Mead. To inquire about his quirky and artistic custom coops you can contact Mead at 206-715-4984.
If you're building a coop on your own, it's important to take into account the ease of maintenance, proper ventilation, roost and nesting box considerations, light needs, weather protection, and most importantly—predator protection. Or, you can buy one from Berg or Mead. Just don't ask their friends to choose between them.
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Free Permaculture workshops and presentations
Written by Sallie Maron
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 10:48
If the word “permaculture” doesn’t roll off your tongue, then you probably haven’t met Chuck Estin, our local permaculture expert. Chuck has been practicing and teaching the principles of permaculture for many years.This year he’s launching a series of free workshops and presentations to introduce more people to this growing movement, which was developed in the 1970’s as a way to create sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural eco-systems.
For anyone interested in sustainable food production and communities, these workshops are a generous gift. Chuck said, “My interns and I are offering these presentations at Real Foods Cafe, and Saturday workshops at various locations around the Island. All presentations and workshops are free, because we would like to encourage more local food growing and community self-sufficiency.”
Chuck is also in the process of modifying the Lytle Road Community Garden, a private community garden managed by the neighbors.It will include a whole permaculture edible landscape in addition to the pre-existing annual veggie beds, and will be available for viewing as a “demonstration” permaculture site for visitors.
Whether you attend a workshop or visit the community garden, you’ll find lots of ‘food for thought”! Here’s the list of free presentations and workshops.If you’d like more information, please contact Chuck at:
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Workshops
Workshops
Workshops are 1:00 to 5:00 on Saturday afternoons as various locations around the Island. Each workshop will have an informational component and a longer hands-on part.
June 19
Mushrooms
4380 Old Mill Road
(from Winslow, take Wyatt to "head of the bay"; continue up steep hill and take a left on Old Mill Rd; go 1.6 miles just past left hand bend in road; site is on the left side)
Hands-on preparation of a variety of different mushroom cultivation systems. Take home a sample mushroom kit for growing your own oyster mushrooms in your house. Please bring cordless drill with 5/16th inch drill bits if available. The workshop is at a property recently purchased to develop a "mini"-Permaculture demonstration and teaching farm. Some time will be spent looking at this site through the eyes of "Permaculture designers" to share the process being used to design this suburban farm site. Please let Chuck know if you plan to attend.
July 17
Winter gardening/Garden bed construction
Learn tocreate a variety of different garden beds to choose what the best system is for your needs. Essentials of winter gardens (which should be planted in July-August).
August 21
Fruit trees:grafting, summer pruning and year-round maintenance of fruit trees and berries
August is the best time to prune “water-sprouts” on fruit trees. Learn by doing pruning and bud-grafting of new fruit trees.Year-round maintenance for healthy fruiting trees and shrubs.
September 18
Plant propagation
Why buy plants from us when you can propagate your own? Propagation methods from cuttings, layering, root division and more.
October 23
Sheet mulchingand garlic
October is the time to plant garlic. Got an empty field? Learn this low-work, low-maintenance method of garden bed production that is perfect for garlic.
Presentations
Presentations begin promptly at 8:00 pm, and will finish at 9:00 pm. Informal questions and discussion may continue afterwards. Real Foods Café will host the presentations.
May 13
Spring garden amendments and Seed Saving Exchange
Getting ready for spring planting:
Test your soil to add the right amendments to revitalize your garden for spring planting.
Seed exchange: bring your own saved seeds to trade with others. Packets of Fedco’s best open-pollinated seeds for sale.
June 10
Permaculture Designand Retro-fitting the suburbs into sustainable communities
Principles of Permaculture design for the backyard, farm or neighborhood.
How could we “retro-fit” the suburbs to become food-producing, sustainable communities?
July 8
Greenhouses: solar, conventional and growing strategies
Examples of solar and conventional greenhouses for the Pacific Northwest. Crops, seasons and efficient food production in our area.
August 12
Water catchment and storage
Going beyond the “50 gallon rain barrel”Howto design a water catchment system appropriate for your irrigation needs. Calculations, example systems and methodologies.
September 9
Composting,vermiculture, and chickens
Turn your waste into garden gold. Want it fast, or want it no-work? Critters can help you out: worms & chickens.
October 14
Food storage and preservation
Solar and conventional food dryers; traditional preservation; fermentation systems and more.
Workshops are 1:00 to 5:00 on Saturday afternoons as various locations around the Island. Each workshop will have an informational component and a longer hands-on part.
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Free presentation May 13: Spring Garden Amendments and Seed Exchange
Written by Admin
Wednesday, 05 May 2010 17:30
Learn how to test your soil and how to add the right amendments to revitalize your garden for spring planting. After a presentation and Q&A by Chuck Estin of Bios Design, there will be a community seed exchange. Bring your own saved seeds to trade with others. Estin will also also sell packets of Fedco’s heirloom and selected open-pollinated seeds to encourage community seedsaving. Please email Estin to reserve your space - Contact:
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. Presentation is at Real Foods Cafe on Bainbridge Island, starting at 8 pm on Thursday, May 13.
Sound Food RSS
There's even a free online course in food preservation from the University of Georgia. So read on, and start canning!
s the island will be featured, four of which were built in the past year with an eye to participating in the Tour. The featured coops include such exotic and extravagantly named venues as: Les Coquettes, Château Poulet, Firehouse Chix, Flying Pig Coop, Chicken Hut, ModChicken, Chick-a-pen Parish, La Maison de Fleur de Mille/La Casa de Huevos, Cabina Gallina, and The Eagle Harbor Congregational Church P-Patch Chicken Coop. 
Mead describes his style of coops as “modern salvage,” and makes use of recycled materials in his designs. Some of those are a little unconventional: A phone receiver or spoons for door handles, trapdoors for easy clean up, license plates, tree branches, and more.