Soil Care & Garden Planning Workshop

Build gardening confidence from the ground up as you learn to read your soil, plan crops, and prepare for a season of beauty and abundance.

Healthy soil and thoughtful planning are the foundation for a garden you can truly revel in—one filled with lush growth, healthy harvests, and peaceful moments outdoors.

When you understand what’s happening beneath the surface and how to organize your planting season, growing becomes simpler, more intentional, and far more rewarding.

Whether you’re hoping to grow vegetables, fruit, or native plants, this hands-on workshop will provide practical tools for soil care and garden planning that help you grow with clarity and confidence.

YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Soil Testing Techniques: Grow a deeper understanding of your soil by learning how to properly collect samples, interpret soil lab reports, and explore soil texture through a hands-on flowchart that reveals how structure, nutrients, and pH influence plant growth.

• Garden and Crop Planning Tools: Practice simple planning strategies used by Oxbow growers to map planting areas, rotate crops, and organize a productive growing season.

• Local Resources for Gardeners: Discover free and accessible programs, including King Conservation District soil testing services, that can support your growth.

ABOUT YOUR FACILITATOR

Jacob Tracy (he/him) grew up in the forests and vineyards of Napa Valley. Attending farm camps as a child turned environmental education into a lifelong passion. During his studies at Quest University Canada, he hosted garden parties and fell in love with wild foods. He went on to manage the kitchen garden for the Culinary Institute of America, where he now holds a graduate degree in sustainable food systems. He has built and installed a free seed library, led countless edible school tours, and founded the grassroots Napa Farmers Guild. He moved to Seattle to serve with AmeriCorps as the community agriculture specialist for King Conservation District, where he supported food security programs with public, tribal, and refugee agencies, and designed the online community agriculture map.

Jacob is thrilled to find new roots at Oxbow, helping the next generation explore what it means to be in relation with land and each other.

GRANT-SUPPORTED PRICING

We’re excited to offer this workshop at just $5, thanks to generous funding from 4Culture’s Doors Open grant! This experience is valued at $20, but the grant helps us make it accessible to more of our community.

We’re deeply grateful for this support, which allows us to connect more people with outdoor learning experiences.

All participants must register in advance—spaces are limited!