Adult Gardening Workshops

Our 2026 gardening workshop season has wrapped up! Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn, grow, and connect on the farm. Check back in spring 2027 for updates on upcoming workshops and registration. We look forward to growing with you again!

Field Manager Vivian Toll

Learn, Grow, and Connect with Seed to Table!

Whether you’re planting your very first vegetable garden or looking to build on years of experience, our hands-on workshops are designed to help you grow confidently in Central Oregon’s unique high-desert climate.

Hosted on our working farm in Sisters, each two-hour workshop combines practical instruction with hands-on learning rooted in the realities of growing food locally. Every session is led by Seed to Table Field Manager Vivian Toll, who brings years of experience growing vegetables in Central Oregon’s challenging conditions.

New to the series? You’re in the right place. Each workshop is a complete, standalone class, so you’re welcome to join at any point during the season—no previous workshops required.

What to expect:

  • Hands-on learning on a working farm

  • Practical techniques for Central Oregon gardens

  • Small-group instruction with plenty of time for questions

  • Gardening practices tailored to Central Oregon’s high-desert climate

  • Sliding-scale registration ($35–75)


Past Workshops

  1. Seeding for Success

Designing a Productive Garden from the Ground Up

Held March 28, 2026

Participants explored:

  • Garden planning

  • Crop rotation

  • Companion planting

  • Seed starting

2. From the Ground Up

Preparing Soil for Spring Growing

Held May 26, 2026

Participants learned about:

  • Building healthy soil

  • Preparing beds

  • Soil amendments

  • Spring planting

3. Optimizing Summer Harvests

Supporting Plants Through the Season

Held July 5, 2026

Participants explored:

  • Trellising and pruning for healthier plants

  • Identifying common pests and diseases

  • Harvesting for continued production

  • Troubleshooting common summer challenges

4. Resilient Gardens

Caring for Plants in a Changing Environment

Held August 6, 2026

Participants learned about:

  • Building healthy, resilient soil

  • Managing heat and water stress throughout the season

  • Creating a garden that supports pollinators and beneficial insects

  • Planning succession plantings and prepare for fall harvests

5. Growing for the Future

End-of-Season Garden Care for Abundant Harvests 

Held September 22, 2026

Participants explored:

  • Saving and collecting seeds for future seasons

  • Using cover crops to build long-term soil health

  • Managing plants at the end of the growing season

  • Preparing the garden for future harvests 

6. Successful Season Extension

Preparing the Garden for Winter and Beyond

Held October 10, 2026

Participants explored:

  • Extending the growing season and harvests in Central Oregon

  • Amending soil at the end of the season

  • Seeding wildflowers for early spring blooms

  • Resting the land over winter to rebuild soil health

  • Preparing the garden for the coming growing year

FAQ

Do I need to attend every workshop?

No. Each workshop is designed as a standalone learning experience. While the topics follow the rhythm of the growing season, you’re welcome to register for whichever workshop interests you. Whether you join us in spring, summer, or fall, you’ll leave with practical skills you can apply in your own garden.

Who can participate?

Our Adult Gardening Workshops are open to participants ages 18 and older. Gardeners of all experience levels are welcome, from beginners to seasoned growers.

How much does it cost?

We offer sliding-scale registration from $35–75 so participants can choose the rate that best fits their circumstances.

  • $35 — Community Rate: For those who need a more accessible option.

Like our sliding-scale Produce Shares, this rate is for participants who need a more accessible option right now — whether that’s because of student life, seasonal income, caregiving responsibilities, tight budgets, or other financial priorities.

  • $55 — Sustainer Rate: Covers the true cost of offering the workshop.

This rate reflects the true cost of offering this class — including educator time, materials, and farm operations — and contributes to the long-term sustainability of Seed to Table’s education programs.

  • $75 — Pay-It-Forward Rate: Helps make workshops more accessible for others while supporting future Seed to Table education programs.

For those who are able to give a little more. By selecting this tier, you help subsidize Community Rate registrations and expand access to Seed to Table’s education programs. Choosing this level also helps us not only cover expenses, but also reinvest in our educators, our land, and future learning opportunities. Your generosity directly supports neighbors who might not otherwise be able to attend — strengthening our whole community in the process.

We trust participants to choose the rate that feels right for them. Everyone receives the same workshop experience, regardless of the registration level selected.

Where are the workshops held?

All workshops take place at Seed to Table Farm in Sisters, Oregon, located at the corner of E. Black Butte Avenue and N. Dee Wright Street.

When you arrive, turn right at the large Seed to Table sign, then follow the dirt driveway along the east side of the lower field. Parking is available on the right.

What should I bring?

Please wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty and sturdy, closed-toe shoes suitable for uneven ground.

We also recommend bringing:

  • Sun protection (hat and sunscreen)

  • Layers for changing weather

  • A water bottle

  • A notebook if you’d like to take notes

Will workshops be held outside?

Yes. Most workshops take place outdoors on the farm, with some activities held in our greenhouse spaces. Please dress for the weather.

How long is each workshop?

Each workshop lasts approximately two hours.

Will I receive hands-on instruction?

Yes! Every workshop combines practical instruction with hands-on activities on our working farm, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and learn alongside other gardeners.