Adult Workshops
Here is a list of 2-hour workshops we offer to adults, organized by season. Each workshop will be offered at Earthstar Botanicals’ Herb Farm at Sundance Commons’ Woodbine site: 4078 Entrance Rd, Etobicoke, near Highways 401 & 427.
The farm is transit accessible, and there is parking available. Workshops for adults are $40 per person. A minimum of six participants is needed to run each workshop.
To book a workshop, contact us with your name, the name(s) of the workshop(s) you are interested in, and potential dates that work for you.
Early Spring - March/April
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Sprouting & Microgreens
In this hands-on workshop in the greenhouse, learn how to grow microgreens and Mung bean sprouts indoors to have fresh local greens all year. Discover the difference between sprouts and microgreens, and taste a variety of them, before planting your own mini tray of microgreens to take home.
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Start Growing Food
Want to grow food, but don’t know where to start? This is for you. Learn which seeds to direct sow outdoors, which to start outdoors in bottles (winter sowing), and which to start indoors under grow lights (or just buy as seedlings). Got no land to grow? Learn how to grow vegetables and herbs in containers.
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Worm Composting
Learn about all Red Wigglers, by meeting the worms in a composting bin, and exploring their anatomy and life cycle. Feed the worms by adding ‘greens’ (veggie scraps) and ‘browns’ (shredded paper & leaves) to the bins, and learn what NOT to add to the bin. Make ‘worm tea’ from worm castings to take home & use as fertilizer.
Late Spring - May/June
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Spring Foraging Walk - Edible & Medicinal Plant ID & Tasting
Take a spring foraging walk and get to know some of your plant neighbours with all your senses, and appreciate their gifts of food and medicine: Dandelion, Wild Strawberry, Lambs’ Quarters & Daisy. Learn the basics of safe and ethical foraging.
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Sprouting & Microgreens
In this hands-on workshop in the greenhouse, learn how to grow microgreens and Mung bean sprouts indoors to have fresh local greens all year. Discover the difference between sprouts and microgreens, and taste a variety of them, before planting your own mini tray of microgreens to take home.
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Herbal Salve Making
Herbal salves have the skin-healing benefits of a herb-infused oil in solid form. Learn why different fats are solid or liquid at room temperature, and how to use beeswax to solidify liquid oils. Explore the skin healing benefits of Calendula, Lavender, and Yarrow-infused oils. Make a small tin of salve to take home.
Early Fall - September/October
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Fall Foraging Walk - Edible & Medicinal Plant ID & Tasting
Take a spring foraging walk and get to know some of your plant neighbours using all your senses, and appreciate their gifts of food and medicine: Wormwood, Goldenrod, Burdock & Chicory. Learn the basics of safe and ethical foraging.
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Herb Harvesting & Tea Tasting
Discover the herbs grown at the farm (Calendula, Tulsi, Anise Hyssop, Lemon Balm) and their uses. Learn how to harvest and dry fresh herbs, as well as how to store them to use the rest of the year. Sample Earthstar’s herbal teas, and make your own herbal tea blend to take home.
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Herb Infused Oils
Herbalism is more than tea and tinctures. Herb infused oils and fats are an ancient remedies that benefit the whole body. In this hands-on workshop, you will make fresh Lavender-infused olive oil to take home. Learn how to make infused oil with dried herbs, as well as when to choose fresh vs. dried herb to make infused oil.
Late Fall - November
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Herbal Oxymels
Herbal oxymels (syrups made with apple cider vinegar & honey) are a delicious way to integrate herbs and their benefits into your life. Take home your own raw Tulsi or Lemon Balm oxymel or vinegar using herbs grown at Earthstar Botanicals herb farm. Will include a demo on how to make immune boosting Elderberry oxymel.
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Herbal Salve Making
Herbal salves have the skin-healing benefits of a herb-infused oil in solid form. Learn why different fats are solid or liquid at room temperature, and how to use beeswax to solidify liquid oils. Explore the skin healing benefits of Calendula, Lavender, and Yarrow-infused oils. Make a small tin of salve to take home.
-
Worm Composting
Learn about all Red Wigglers, by meeting the worms in a composting bin, and exploring their anatomy and life cycle. Feed the worms by adding ‘greens’ (veggie scraps) and ‘browns’ (shredded paper & leaves) to the bins, and learn what NOT to add to the bin. Make ‘worm tea’ from worm castings to take home & use as fertilizer.