Whether one uses welding to fix up garden tools, build something functional, or create an art piece, it is a skill that is harder to find than wood working, carpentry or gardening. Resourcing a fix in this area from someone providing the service is more expensive, and thus probably not worth it (do I want to pay $50 or even $35 to have my $39 shovel welded in a shop that is harder to get to than all the places selling shovels nearby?

That’s why it is fun for me to be able to do the fix myself. It takes a welding machine, some knowledge about the metallic materials involved and occasionally some knowledge of physics and a tad of imagination – and I have foraged into a profession from which people either refrain or do as a full time job earning their living.

Lately, however, I have seen welders becoming more affordable and easier to use, so this trend is changing. That’s why I am happy that a friend of mine asked me to teach her welding – although my skills are limited, I am excited to do it, because looking around when I wanted to learn welding, I had to do it by reading and doing, because I failed to find an instructor (or even someone skilled and willing to show).

On November 30, Saturday from 1-3pm I will hold a workshop on welding at 44 Beston street, Amherst. We will look at the theory behind welding, materials used, the different types of machinery doing the welding, and associated safety. Then we also will do the actual thing.

Due to the need for welding helmets to safely participate in the workshop attendance is limited, so please definitely let me know if you are interested to confirm we still have space (email Gabor)

When: 11:00am – 2:00pm, Sunday Oct. 13th
Where: Laughing Dog Farm, Gill, MA

This hands-on workshop and community “bender” this Sunday at Laughing Dog Farm focuses on season-extension, using low cost, homemade, un-heated “tunnels” or “hoophouses” to keep alive cold-hardy crops, around the calendar in our mercurial New England climate.

From 11-12:00 Farmer Danny “Dog” Botkin will give a detailed review of principles and practices of cold weather gardening, including seed/plant selection, timing, propagation/harvesting techniques, frost “proofing”, and other cultural practices.

Then, after sharing spicy, homegrown soup (heirloom squash with native, with roasted chestnuts, fresh salad and goat cheese, oh my!) …we’ll venture outside to observe the high and low tunnels “in action”, to answer questions, and to take turns bending EMT steel conduit into “hoops” on our own, home-made jig. Participants who bring their own pipes (10′ long x 3/4″ width) are welcome to bend them here Sunday, as well…

The workshop concludes with a demonstration of a low-tunnel hoophouse assembly and an opportunity for further questions and group discussion… Suggested donation is $35 for the class and lunch. Hope to see folks “hungry” to learn winter gardening and keep hope alive. RSVP requested…

—
Daniel Botkin
farm manager
Laughing Dog Farm
www.laughingdogfarm.com

We had a successful tour, where we visited three new gardens and an older one. But all of the stops were more than just seeing a garden. We learned as well a bit about what it took to make that garden happen, what underlying principles were followed, and we tasted some of the produce. At each stop I learned something new.

See the video Andy made about our tour here.

On September 29, Sunday, from noon on, come to a peach canning event.

Come to 45 Roosevelt St. Hadley (Roosevelt and N. Maple are the same road.), to participate making peach jam or compote, fill it in jars and give the full jars a hot bath. We will look at methods of preservation to spread out our current abundance of produce and fruits for the whole year.

Please let Gabor know if you plan to attend.