With spring coming, farmer’s markets will be starting up again in Socorro, Magdalena, Quemado, Glenwood, Silver City and other locations. You can find the nearest farmer’s market online and also look up what’s in season in New Mexico. Early carrots, lettuce, peas, spinach, red Chiles, garlic and other greens will be coming up in March. Many farmer’s markets also offer local honey, handmade breads, jams and jellies, and local meal and poultry.
Near Socorro, you can stop by Bee Chama to tour the facility and get some local honey, or shop online for their honey. You can also buy onlline. Pollo Real, also near Socorro, offers local and heritage chickens and meat poultry, and can be found at many farmer’s markets, or online at Pollo Real. Dunhill Ranch near Magdelena also offer sustainable, locally raised lamb and appears both at farmer’s markets and sells online.
Spring is also the time to start thinking about getting outdoors again. Not only can you start thinking ahead to a spring garden, you might want to consider a workshop to help spark your interest and get some new ideas. UNM offers programs in sustainability, as well as a degree, and these upcoming workshops:
Improving Desert Garden Soil, March 7, 2020 8:30 AM, Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque
Improving Desert Garden Soil: Amending desert garden soil is a continuous effort. The class will cover the basics soil constituents, soil testing and the benefits of the soil food web. The value of humus in finished compost will be prominent in the discussion. Options for improving soil fertility and resiliency in the face of warm temperatures and low precipitation will be presented. Useful take-home information will allow participants to plan for and implement soil amending practices right away. Prior to the class a useful read, The Soul of the Soil by Grace Gershuny, posted at Reading Materials. To register, call 505-897-8831 or send email to register@nmcomposters.org.
Raised Bed Gardening and Composting, March 28, 2020 9:30 AM, Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque
Raised Bed Gardening and Composting: Raised garden beds in the high desert present many useful options for home gardeners. Soil, amendments, mulches and irrigation methods are well-contained by raised beds. The class will will cover set-up, soil, irrigation, mulching, and sheet composting for soil fertility in a raised bed.To register, call 505-897-8831 or send email to register@nmcomposters.org.
Home Composting Basics, April 8, 2020 6:00 PM, Larry Abraham Agri-Nature Center , 4920 Rio Grande NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
Home Composting Basics: Home composting is recycling that produces a useful soil conditioner. Basic science will be presented with a special focus on useful practices for a high desert climate. A variety of home composting options will be covered. Useful take-home information will help a participant get started and / or improve an already chosen composting method. Prior to the class it may be useful to read our brochures: (1) Composting in the Desert, and (2) Selecting a Method that Works for You. There will be a $5 charge for this class. Pay cash at the door. To register, send email to register@nmcomposters.org.
Improving Desert Garden Soil, April 15, 2020 10:00 AM, Bear Canyon Senior Center, Room 5, 4645 Pitt NE, Albuquerque
Improving Desert Garden Soil: Amending desert garden soil is a continuous effort. The class will cover the basics soil constituents, soil testing and the benefits of the soil food web. The value of humus in finished compost will be prominent in the discussion. Options for improving soil fertility and resiliency in the face of warm temperatures and low precipitation will be presented. Useful take-home information will allow participants to plan for and implement soil amending practices right away. Prior to the class a useful read, The Soul of the Soil by Grace Gershuny, posted at Reading Materials. To register call 505-767-5959 or send email to register@nmcomposters.org. Instructor: Rye Bailey and Rod Reay.
More information on UNM programs and their sustainability newsletters can be found online.
