PHOENIX — A Valley gardening expert is using his platform to host free, online classes amid the state's stay-at-home orders.
Greg Peterson, owner of The Urban Farm in Phoenix and urbanfarm.org, told ABC15, “in the last 30 days interest has spiked through the roof.”
“As we’ve seen in the past month or so, you know, the grocery store shelves are empty,” he said. “We have a food system in this country that gives us ‘just in time’ food which is perfect, except when it’s not.”
On weekdays at 5 p.m., Peterson and other gardening experts present the free lessons on growing edible food or other gardening-related topics. He said between 100 and 300 people have been attending each class, depending on the subject matter.
Do you doubt what can grow in the desert?
Peterson said it’s the perfect time to plant “starter” tomato plants, corn, melons, cucumber and squash. For those who are hesitant to try their hand at gardening, he urges them to start small.
“Buy some potting mix, a pot and a basil plant,” he said. “Just do it. Get in, jump in, experiment. Yeah, you might kill it — but then you know what not to do.”
To register for the free classes, visit this website.
You can also find additional resources at UrbanFarm.org.
