Gardens, preparedness focus of local workshops
COEUR d'ALENE - When you can see sunshine stream through your windows in the morning and see things greening up, then take a lunch break and see particles of snow falling in the afternoon, you begin to understand why "Jump Starting a Garden" could be important.
On Saturday at 10 a.m., Sandi Isaacson will show you how.
In the free class, you will learn how to start your plants from seed, including how to develop a proper timeline, what soil to use for your seeds and how to increase germination success.
You will also learn how to ensure your plants are off to a great start with inexpensive seed-warming trays and grow-light shelves. Some helpful early transplanting techniques for extending our short growing season will also be discussed. Whether you are a beginning gardener or an expert, you'll gain some tips for planning a great garden in 2014.
Isaacson will be assisted by Carolyn Sampert and Ray Gilbert, who will demonstrate how to graft a fruit tree.
Isaacson is a retired Coeur d'Alene elementary educator with a master's degree from the University of Idaho. She has been an avid gardener for the last 35 years and a trained master gardener for the last five years. She has lived in Coeur d'Alene with her husband, Dale, for the last 40 years, and they are proud of their four children and 16 grandchildren.
Isaacson is part of a group of community members who have come together to help others learn how to be self-reliant and prepared for emergencies. The workshops listed below are free to the public.
First Session
The first session is on gardening and takes place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon in the LDS Church Gymnasium, 2293 W. Hanley Ave. in Cd'A.
Second Session
The May session date and location will be determined, but the topic will be Home Preparedness and addresses the question: If you lost your income today, could you feed and meet your family's needs for one month? The local instructors will be Doug Ratelle and Erik Nemeck, who through personal experience and preparedness will discuss how to start small, then tackle water storage, food storage (wet and dry), rotation, expiration, labeling, and hygiene.
Third Session
The June session will center on how to prepare 72-hour emergency kits, including modern and natural medical remedies for emergencies. Gordy Ormesher, a local prepper, will cover this topic.
Fourth Session
The July session will be on food preservation, whether it be in a root cellar, by drying/salting and/or canning. This will be taught by a bunch of hunters and canners in our area, namely Troy Black, Allen Brown and Joy Dillman.
Information
Sandi Isaacson, Master Gardener, 772-1809 or sandi.isaacson@gmail.com.
Preparedness: Travis Tysz, 669-4293.
Idaho Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: Richard Dance, 206-619-7092 or drdance@gmail.com.