See below for full announcement. Enrollment, payment, and refund policy appears below course announcement. Discounted early registration available until Sep 30.
Call or email Darren Butler to sign up:
allnet@pobox.com
818.271.0963
Sustainable Biointensive Gardening
A course on how to maximize food production and meet calorie and nutrition needs sustainably in the smallest possible growing area, while at the same time building soil fertility.
Topics to be covered include history/theory of biointensive gardening; comparison to organic, permaculture, biodynamic, and other methods; double-digging; soil testing and bed preparation; use of tools including spading fork, widger, transplanting trowel, etc.; sustainability; flat construction; sustainable soil-and-fertility building; biointensive seed starting; pricking out and transplanting; efficient/low-carbon-loss composting; the Darren Butler $4 worm-composting bin; intensive backyard fruit and berry production; pruning for intensive fruit/berry production; espaliering in small spaces; intro to graywater systems and rainwater collection, intro to seed saving, and more. A large fraction of the course material, including spiritual/philosophical approaches, perspectives on soil, biointensive-gardening tenets, and information specific to biointensive gardening in Southern California are based upon my own experience and invention and are available nowhere else. Most of the course-time will be spent in classroom-style instruction, with time for demonstration and some hands-on. A Sustainable Biointensive Gardening Certificate is available for those who want a credential, with specific requirements (see enrollment info below).
Course difficulty: 4 to 5 out of 10. Gardening and/or permaculture experience required. Students should have mastered basic gardening skills and be familiar with composting, starting seeds, and organic methods. Some basic topics will be covered, but this is not an introductory gardening course. Beginners or relatively new gardeners should expect difficulty. Intermediate/expert students should expect that time will be spent on basics.
Course dates: Seven Sundays 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM with short breaks only, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov 11, 18; Dec 2 (arrival encouraged by 9:00 AM). Note that class WILL be held on Oct 21 (Yom Kippur begins at sundown) and Nov 11 (Veteran's Day) with no class on Nov 4, 25.
Course location: Mar Vista near Palms and Walgrove. Easy access from the 10 and 405 freeways.
Course fee: $320 for early registration through Sep 30; $380 thereafter. There will be an additional $50 fee for certification. Space permitting, attendance will be allowed to single classes for $60 per class. Half-price tuition available for students repeating the course with expectation that you'll also assist during class, especially during hands-on worktime.
Fellowships and scholarships: Work trade or other barter may be available as an alternate payment of up to half tuition. Up to two scholarships are available for individuals who cannot afford to pay and cannot offer a work trade who expect to use the knowledge and skills gained for the good of others. Please inquire for details.
Reading List: Core books are How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons (prefer 7th edition from late 2006, 6th edition also fine) and Teaming With Microbes by Lowenfels and Lewis (2006). Reading both books is required for certification and strongly recommended for all attendees. The Sustainable Vegetable Garden by Jeavons and Cox (1999) is recommended as a simplified introduction before tackling the more difficult Jeavons, above. Dozens of other books are recommended throughout the course based up the day's topics of discussion.
Hosting: Contact me if you're interested in hosting a future repeat of this course.
Assistance is needed for video or audio recording of the sessions. Free tuition available in trade.
Darren Butler is a Consulting Arborist, Ecological Designer, and Landscape Specialist. He has appeared on several episodes of "Weekend Gardening" for a large international television audience as an expert horticulturist and landscaper, has taught Sustainable Landscape Design for the University of California Master Gardener Program in Los Angeles, and holds many landscape- and plant-related certifications and licenses. He currently serves on a statewide advisory committee for all University of California Master Gardener programs. He has been gardening since childhood, and developing expertise in Southern California gardening since 1996.
Comments from prior students:
"Darren is just so knowledgable. This is a crucial part of the
owner's manual for Planet Earth."
"Darren is an outstanding teacher. He integrates real life to
gardening. He's down to earth, full of laughs and personality. His
enthusiasm is infectious."
"Wow! The idea that so many things are just soil in another temporary
format is pretty powerful. Darren has thought more than any other
person I have ever met. The class was awesome."
"I got so much out of this! Packed full of information that was
immediately usable to me. I love listening to this guy! He knows so
much and is so humble about sharing what he knows. He knocks my socks
off."
"If you want to change your perspective on the world and get deeply
in touch with the Earth, come to this class!"
Enrollment, payment, and refund policy:
Because of past difficulties, such as cancellations midway through a course with students expecting refunds after it was
impossible to accept a replacement student, I'm establishing the
following payment policy:
Half tuition must be sent to reserve enrollment or be paid no later than the first day of class if space is still available.
Remaining tuition must be paid no later than the start of the third
class session (two weeks after the first session). I expect to repeat
most courses; please don't try to attend a given course if you can't
afford to make payment on schedule. If your situation changes such
that payment terms can't be met, please contact me immediately to
make specific arrangements. Otherwise it is expected that attendance
will stop and tuition paid to date be forfeit if these terms aren't
met.
Full refunds less $50 will be available until seven days before the first session of any class. No refunds thereafter except
for cancellation by the instructor. If tentative details change after
enrollment has been paid, full refund is available until three days
before the first class if cancellation is based upon the change(s).
Work trade or other barter may be available as an alternate payment of up to half tuition. Free enrollment may be available on an
extremely limited basis for individuals who cannot afford to pay and
cannot offer a work trade who expect to use the knowledge and skills
gained for the good of others. Contact me for details or if
interested in hosting a repeat of any given course.
Payment is by check, cash, or money order and should be sent to Darren Butler, PO Box 920434, Sylmar CA 91392-0434. Contact me if
you prefer to pay with a credit card via the internet.
Courses are rated as to my best guess about difficulty from 1 to 10
with 1 being appropriate for absolute beginners and 10 for
accomplished experts.
Courses not guaranteed to carry. Some courses fill up quickly. To avoid
disappointment, please do not delay.
Enrollment forms sent via email or regular mail after payment has
been received. Enrollment form not required to make payment and
reserve your place.
Certificates are available for all courses. Specific requirements for
completion will include required reading, minimum attendance of
approximately 70 to 75 percent with makeup for missed sessions, a
project, and additional fee of $50.
