On July 6, a group of local planting apprentices gathered at the Jardin Educatif du Pontiac in Litchfield for the second part of an interactive workshop on home gardening courtesy of a local agricultural aficionado.

Hosted by the Jardin Educatif du Pontiac and the Table de Development Social du Pontiac, the session served as an opportunity for local gardeners to gain insightful tips on maintaining their flowering crops in order to yield the best possible results for the end of the season.

The second of three parts of the workshop, the event was originally scheduled to take place on June 15. But organizers pushed the date back to July to give participants more time to prepare considering this year’s floods.

Presented by local horticultural specialist Jean-Philippe Blier, the workshop focused on cost efficient, ecologically friendly methods of maximizing plant yield and how to mitigate any factors from ruining a successful project.

“There are always ways to save money,” he said. “As long as it costs less than buying $400 of stuff at Canadian Tire.”

From knowing which ingredients can make effective homemade fertilizers, to being aware of which species of insects can negatively affect plant growth, the workshop was intended to teach locals creative ways of incorporating horticulture into the kitchen and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Taking place on the organization’s farmland property with a huge garden and greenhouse on site, the event provided participants with a much more first-hand experience than the initial session, Martin Riopel said.

“We thought ‘Why not do it directly at the Jardin with one group,’” he said. “In addition to that, they can see the garden up close and see an installation.”

“It’s more hands on,” he added. “The last one also was because J.P. [Blier] showed different things. But when we’re on the field with the garden it’s even more significant.”

Stationed inside a wooden shelter on the grounds, participants sat on picnic tables while Blier presented a variety of plants, micro-greens and plant-growing apparatuses while providing the food for thought for the participants.

With a wide piece of greenspace, including play-structures and children’s toys scattered on the ground, parents were free to take notes and absorb the expert advice while letting their young ones enjoy themselves under the sunny blue skies.

With experienced horticulturist and accomplished chef Jean-Claude Laroche on hand as well, participants were invited to hit the soil and get their hands dirty while learning important tips on growing various greens and vegetables like broccoli, basil and rhubarb – seeing what the Jardin Educatif is all about.

The third and final part of the workshop, focusing on harvesting, will take place at an undetermined date in September, Riopel said.

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