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April 18, 2026
1pm-4pm
A traditional view is that the gardening season in the upper Midwest runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but there is so much more time where we can be working the garden and harvesting fresh veggies. In this class we will open up and prepare the Avon Hills garden. While we are working in the garden, you can expect to learn from your instructor Sam about improving soil/soil health, managing weeds, choosing varieties, planning your garden, and extending your season. While we’re working you can also chat with Sam about your own garden questions and practices.
We will practice skills like:
Intelligent tillage, seedbed preparation
Taking and analyzing a soil test
Understanding our soil and adding amendments
Shaping raised beds
Planting and spacing early spring seeds and transplants
Covering plants with row cover to increase temperatures, keep out pests, and quicken harvest
Mulching for weed control
Please be prepared to work outside in the garden. Suggested things to bring include:
Warm layered clothes that can get dirty
Work gloves
Hat for sun or warmth
Water bottle
Favorite garden tools (tools will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own if you wish)
Tuition: $50
Materials: $0
This course is for students 14+
Your Instructor
SAM OSCHWALD TILTON
(he/him)
Sam Oschwald Tilton is a former vegetable farmer and passionate hort educator.
He taught horticulture at Lakeshore Technical College and was the Direct-Market Vegetable Specialist for UW-Extension. He works as an organic farm advisor, helping farmers improve their weed management, soil, and machinery systems. Through his business, Glacial Drift Enterprises, he also delivers hands-on trainings to farmers and organizations around the Midwest. He organizes the Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day and lives in Minneapolis, where he enjoys gardening with the neighborhood.