The passion and urgency that inspired WWI and WWII Victory Gardens is needed today to meet another threat to our food supply and our environment—the steep decline of pollinators. In this session, environmental horticulturalist, landscape designer, and New York Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Botanic Garden teacher Kim Eierman offers accessible, actionable information and tips anyone can implement for winning the war against the demise of these essential animals.

Get ready to be the life of the (mock or cocktail) party! Growing tasty plants is just the first step toward hosting the best homegrown happy hour soirees. In this lively session, Garden Mentors® founder & Herbal Happy Hour program creator Robin Haglund will help you step up your garden-to-glass entertainment game. First, Robin will will present common-to-unusual plants for you to grow in your garden for your “party patch”. Then, step-by-step, she will demonstrate how to craft unique and delicious libations from an array of luscious garden harvests. Plus you’ll learn to shake things up with secrets for crafting some favorite garden-to-glass cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, with unexpected garnishes and more from homegrown flora. In no time you’ll be ready to start “planting to party” in your own garden!

A preserver’s mindset focuses on abundant, tasty harvests that make sure there’s enough specific produce for effective food preservation be it canning, dehydrating or other methods. Join Meg as she talks through her garden planning process to ensure the best crops and plant varieties for the perfectly preserved end result. Find tips about the right tomatoes, abundant cucumbers, herbs and so much more so you can plan to enjoy your harvest wayyyyy beyond the garden season’s end.

Reach beyond your current go-to garden staples to learn the art of growing plants to create medicinal teas and tinctures. Your wellness can go up another notch beyond eating fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs – learn about new garden friends to further boost your wellbeing.

As Kevin has proven—thanks to his enthusiasm and willingness to experiment—there’s no need to go “back to the land,” live off-grid, and leave behind modern conveniences to improve your self-sufficiency and autonomy. Anyone can do it. So follow in Kevin’s footsteps and embrace today’s technology to grow and preserve food, raise mini livestock like bees and chickens, set up automated systems like irrigation and greywater recycling, and so much more.

So often gardening is about exacting to do lists and primped and polished plants and gardens and work, work, work. No wonder so many gardeners feel guilty they aren’t doing enough. Yet with our changing weather patterns – and greater extremes of weather – such high maintenance spaces are much more vulnerable. So less really is often more, to allow the natural systems to establish and help build a greater resilience in our outside areas from the ground up. To help us enjoy our vegetable gardens, have more fun and wellbeing, — let nature take the lead.

Join Paula and Barb as they review, and comment, on some of the best designers in the country as they create various innovative and astounding container designs. Filmed at the professional “Digging In” gathering in August of 2023, the designs, and designers, Barb and Paula will be highlighting and celebrating share tips and tricks that everyone can use. Get some incredible design ideas for your own 2024 containers and pro tips you can use for a lifetime.

Many of your spice cabinet favorites can be grown in your own home garden. In this session, Tasha Greer, author of Grow Your Own Spices, will share the details for tasty turmeric, glorious ginger and super saffron plus so much more. You’ll walk away inspired to start your own spice garden, no matter where you live!

Join Jacques for an inside peak on how he selects seeds for his favorite spring crops. Known for “bringing the flavor” to his home garden, Jacques gives an insider look on his go-to plus new veggies – and even a few flowers – he’ll be harvesting and enjoying this garden season. Seed starting and direct sowing tips are included so you can follow Jacques lead to have your tastiest garden yet!

Join Perla to get the most out of your veg garden… go beyond just growing to projects that help you find your bliss and mental well being while also being tasty!