Gardening Classes
Monday Night Collective Growers
Weds Night Independent Growers Class
Virtual Gardening Class
Comparison Chart
Get your hands in the dirt and experience the joy of growing your own vegetables with our Gardening Classes! Choose from 3 great options!
Monday Night Collective Growers - Sold out!
Location: Needham Community Farm Beds, 145 Pine St
Time: 5:30-7
Number of classes: 10 or 20 week registration option
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**Based on class feedback, we have refreshed our education offerings to maximize gardening student’s success!** Get your hands in the dirt and experience the joy of growing your own vegetables! The Collective Growers Class is ideal for beginner individuals and/or families - with little to no previous gardening experience - interested in learning about the wonders of sustainable, organic gardening in a supportive, hands-on and community-based environment. Experienced growers looking to garden socially are also welcome in this class.
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This class takes place in communal beds on the Farm, in which students will share the responsibility of planning, growing, and harvesting a variety of vegetables together throughout the season. Learn foundational gardening knowledge from an NCF farmer in this flexible course, with the option to sign up for 10 weeks OR 20 weeks of garden care and education. The Farm provides students in this class with watering and pest control services as well as seeds, seedlings, fertilizer, gloves and hand tools.
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Dates:
All classes start March 31th. The 10 week class dates are as follows: March 31, April 7, 14, 28, May 5, 12, 19, June 2, 9, 16. The 20 week class dates are as follows: March 31, April 7, 14, 28, May 5, 12, 19, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18, 25. (No class during Needham April school recess, or on Memorial Day).
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Prices:
10 weeks - $300
20 weeks - $450
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FAQ:
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If I take this class, will I have my own gardening bed to care for?
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Participants of this class do NOT have individual gardening beds-if you are looking for the opportunity to learn to garden with your own plot, please consider the Independent Gardening Class on Wednesday nights, described below.
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If I take this class, will I get to bring home any produce?
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Yes! When we harvest crops in class, we will weigh and divide the harvest for all participants to get an equal share to bring home.
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How do I know if I should sign up for 10 weeks or 20 weeks of class?
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10 weeks: Our flexible registration allows families and adults with busy schedules to learn how to plan, plant and care for a garden. If you travel frequently during the summer, or want to garden but cannot commit to watering your own garden bed a few times a week, this class is for you!
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20 weeks: In the 20 week course, students practice a full season of planting, maintaining and harvesting from the garden. They gain an intimate understanding of the fluctuating responsibilities of a gardener throughout the year. If you want to learn how to grow a wider variety of vegetables and how to manage pest and disease cycles in your garden, this class is for you!
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How do the crops and harvest differ between the 10 week and 20 week class?
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10 weeks: 10-week registrants will get to take home plenty of produce, including peas, leafy greens (lettuce, arugula, and spinach), radishes and cabbage.
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20 weeks: With this registration option, gardeners will learn how to harvest (and take home!) a full range of vegetables, including warm weather crops like tomatoes, basil, eggplant, zucchini and summer squash.
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How much do the two class options cost?
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10 weeks: This class costs $300.
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20 weeks: This class costs $450.
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Please note: Garden class registrations are on a per-household basis
Wednesday Night Independent Growers
Location: Community Garden Beds, 145 Pine St
Time: 5:30-7
Number of classes: 12
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Our signature Gardening Class has moved to the Community Beds! At this new location, students can enjoy improved pest control and more accessible gardening beds. This class is designed for independent gardeners who are excited about the joys and responsibilities of caring for their own garden bed. It is ideal for participants who feel comfortable with gardening basics but would benefit from advanced instruction, including those who have taken at least one NCF class, have a background in personal gardening, or have taken previous classes or workshops elsewhere.
This class will be structured with a lesson and demo, followed by work time and 1:1 support with the instructor. Students are provided with seeds and seedlings, fertilizer, gloves and some hand tools, but are expected to water their own beds and otherwise maintain them in accordance with the Community Bed Policies. Previous gardening class members should note that these beds have moved to the Community Beds and are not watered or otherwise monitored by farm staff.​
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Dates:
Classes start April 1st and run through July 10th. All class dates are as follows: April 2, 9, 16, 30, May 7, 14, 21, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2. (No class during Needham April school recess, or the week of Memorial Day).
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Price:
$370 (cost includes Community Bed Lease)
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Donations accepted to subsidize the cost for low-income participants!
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FAQ:
How long is this class?
This class is 12 weeks long. Each class is 1.5 hours long.
How much does this class cost?
Participants in this class pay the standard $120 fee for an annual Community Bed lease, plus an additional $250 for the gardening class. The full price of participating in this class is $370.
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Please note: Garden class registrations are on a per-household basis
Virtual Gardening Class
Thursday evenings
Time: 6pm
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Learn to garden from the comfort of your home with our virtual gardening class! This class is designed for all home gardeners-whether you are just starting your gardening journey or you are years in, we are here to answer your questions and share foundational gardening knowledge! In this class, you’ll learn everything you need to start or continue growing a bountiful garden, from garden planning and soil health to planting, maintaining and harvesting crops. You will also think critically and reflectively on the impact of regenerative gardening in the context of the broader food system.
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Location:
Classes are held via Zoom.
Dates:
Classes start April 3rd and run through June 5th. All class dates are as follows: April 3, 10, 17, May 1, 8, 15, 22, June 5. (No class during Needham April school recess, or the week of Memorial Day).
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Price:
$200
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FAQ:
How is this class different from the Farm’s other education offerings?
This class has no in-person commitment. And seeds and seedlings are not provided.
What do I get when I sign up for this course?
You will receive access to recordings of each class and additional virtual resources and materials.
How long is this class?
This class runs for 8 weeks. Each class is 1 hour long. This class runs on Zoom.
How much does this class cost?
This class costs $200.
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NOTE: This class will run with a minimum of 10 participants. Share this offering with your friends and neighbors!
Class Scholarships​
Gardening Class Scholarships are available. For further information, please send us an email to discuss registration and enrollment.
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