One of the joys of January is poring over seed catalogs as they arrive with their promises of beautiful, bounteous yields of homegrown produce. I love to sit by the woodstove on a frigid winter’s evening and contemplate the potential merits of varieties of veggies and herbs I have not grown before versus tried and true favorites.

If you share this gardener’s off-season joy, think you might like to join the brother/sisterhood of (food) gardeners, or would just plain like to learn more about being an effective gardener, Just Food is sponsoring two gardening classes that you should check out (from the Northfield.org Events Calendar):

Gardening, Part 1- Plan your Garden

Submitted by Joey Robison on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 9:43am. Events

Start: Jan 22 2009 - 5:00pm

End: Jan 22 2009 - 7:00pm

Now’s the time to begin planning your garden! Larua Frerichs, co-owner of Loon Organics, will discuss soil preparation, which plants can be direct seeded and which ones need to be transplanted, and how to schedule plantings throughout the season to maximize production. Held in the Just Food Event Space. Class is free, but preregistration is required at Just Food or by calling 507….

Co-op Class: Gardening, Part 2- What to Plant?

Submitted by Joey Robison on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 9:49am. Events

Start: Jan 29 2009 - 5:00pm

End: Jan 29 2009 - 7:00pm

Erin Johnson and Ben Doherty of Open Hands Farm will lead a discussion on the different varieties available, what’s new, and which varieties work well in our area and which don’t. Held in the Just Food Event Space. This class is free, but please preregister at the front of the store or by calling507-650-0106

I don’t recall which cabbage varieties (perhaps Ruby Ball and Copenhagen) I grew in the summer of 1990 (below) in

Maia Larson, cabbage princess, summer 1990

the bountiful 1/2 acre garden I had on the old farm Anne, Maia and I lived on near Circle and Fox Lakes, but they were winners.

Small Wind Power

Submitted by Joey Robison on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 9:46am. Events

Start: Jan 26 2009 - 7:00pm

End: Jan 26 2009 - 8:00pm

Ever wonder what it would take to power your home, business or farm with a wind turbine? Join instructor Dan Borek as he answers your questions about small wind power possibilities. Held in the Just Food Event Space, please preregister for this free class while you are at Just Food or by calling 507-650-0106.

I expect to make it to the gardening classes, at least. Hope to see you there!