John Jay Homestead is partnering with InterGenerate—a local nonprofit that starts community gardens and works to make good, clean, fair food available to more people—to present the Family Gardening Series in the homestead’s Teaching Garden. The series is offered in two sessions of six workshops each: Spring/Summer and Summer/Fall.

“Children can learn so much in the garden,” says Suzi Novak, InterGenerate’s garden administrator. “They connect with the earth. They learn that food doesn't come from a store. They have the chance to witness the magic that happens as plants grow, and to taste the results.”

Adults in the program learn how to plant and tend a vegetable garden, while their children take part in hands-on explorations of plant parts, ecology and bugs. Each series will include a chance to taste the vegetables grown, in simple recipes. “The Family Gardening Series is a perfect opportunity for families to work and learn together,” Novak says.

The Spring/Summer session dates are May 5 and 22; June 6, 12 and 26; and July 10. The Summer/Fall session dates are July 24; August 7, 21 and 28; and September 11 and 25. The cost is $150 per family per session, or $215 per family for both sessions. To register, visit InterGenerate.net/Teaching-Garden.