Happy Holidays from The Front Yard Farm School

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Seasons Greetings Farm Friends!

We hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday with lots of good food and sweet memories shared with family and friends. Here at the Front Yard Farm School, we took the month of November off to recharge, reflect on the wonderful class experiences we had over the summer, and carve out time to truly be present for the many celebrations this “cooler” season brings. We also took time to knock out some much needed garden work – bringing in the very last offerings from our summer garden, cutting back our plants that will overwinter, and putting our beds to sleep (more on that below).

This season seems to call for a balance between busyness and slowness. On the surface, our farm now appears barren with very little still being produced (besides my sorrel, which doesn’t know when to quit). But below the freshly laid leaf much, I know there is so much going on! The earthworms are enjoying a feast of our compost. They are growing fat and aerating and adding much-needed nutrients to our soil. This time of rest is necessary for gardens (and humans) to return to vibrancy in the spring!

This month we are offering a lighter class schedule to give space for this busy and beautiful season. We hope it will be a sweet and memorable experience for our families all the same. You’re invited to join us for a special Winter class where we will learn to make nature friendly ornaments and go on a California Winter’s walk to decorate a local Wildlife Tree.

Whether we see you this month or in the New Year, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting this little dream of ours and encouraging your kids to go out and explore nature, make messes, and plant something wonderful! They will be the keepers and protectors of our beautiful planet.

Warmest Wishes!

Liz, Luke, K, and Z

Below is our December class schedule. All classes take place in Lake Forest and are parent participation. Classes are $20 per family with a $10 sibling material fee.

December Classes

Make a Wildlife Tree

Join us for a special class to celebrate the winter season and show our appreciation to the local wildlife who help keep our gardens tended. We’ll read the story The Night Tree by Eve Bunting and learn how to make ornaments to decorate a Wildlife Tree.

This adventure includes a short nature walk to decorate our tree. Each child will also take home an ornament to adorn their tree at home. (Recommended age 5-12) (Recommended age 5-12)

Thursday 12/12 – 10AM – 11:30AM

Saturday 12/21 – 10AM – 11:30AM

Register for classes here.

What’s Growing on The Farm

Our growing season has mostly come to an end. I have some red veined sorrel that refuse to accept it is time to take a nap. This past weekend we cut back almost all remaining fruit in the garden and trimmed our pepper plants in the hopes that they will overwinter.

I also gave our dirt a much-needed feeding of manure (quail poop from our very own hens) and earthworm-packed compost. I turned all this goodness into the dirt, which was looking a bit tired and covered everything with the golden leaves from our apple trees.

Pro Tip: Don’t toss your leaves! They provide free and organic mulch, which will hold the moisture in your soil and provide food for your earthworm farmers. You get to sit back while the worms do all the work!

Need Anything?

Need a class to spark your creativity over the winter holidays? The Front Yard Farm School is proud to offer private gardening and sourdough breadmaking classes, as well as garden tea parties (for groups up to 10).

Reach out: 949-414-8960