Mindful Garden Experience with Sue
Tuesday, July 8, 7:00-8:00 pm
Looking for a way to slow down and unwind? Let Susan Novick, a certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide, teach you how to do just that through mindful breathing, movements, and walking that will help you be present in the moment and connect with the natural world in new ways during this time at the Growing Center. 
Contact:  Sue at shnovick2@gmail.com 

Wednesday Creative Musings
July 9, 16, 23, and 30, 3:30-6:30 pm 
Come visit the Growing Center for some relatively quiet time during the weekly Red Fire Farm CSA distribution window. Bring a book and read. Grab your journal and write a bit, create a poem or make an entry in our Growing Center Journal that will be available. Find those art supplies and come sketch, draw or paint while enjoying a green setting in the city. Some limited kids and garden/nature books and art supplies will be available for use on site. 
Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org  

Native Pollinator Garden in a Container Workshop
Saturday, July 12, 1:00-2:00 pm
Join with Growing Center folks to create a range of container gardens, using native plants to help provide nectar or pollen resources for native pollinators. Learn how and why to plant for attracting pollinators and some ideas on how all of us can play a role. Check out the Somerville Pollinator Action Plan here. Some materials provided (limited containers, soil, some native plants and seeds).
Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org 

Introduction to Nature Monitoring in the City with Earthwise Aware
Saturday, July 12, 2:00-3:30 pm
Join Claire and Earthwise Aware (EwA) citizen scientists and learn how to observe and record the plants, insects, and animals of the Somerville Growing Center. With these observation events and through the EwA photo documentation using the iNaturalist platform, we contribute to biodiversity science while enjoying the outdoors together in this beautiful little garden. Learn about EwA’s arthropod (insect and spider) and phenology studies at the Growing Center. Visit here for information on science apps used.
Contact: Claire O’Neill at claire.oneill@earthwiseaware.org

Pub Sing 
Tuesdays, July 15, 7:00-9:00 pm
A pub-style sing along on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Anyone can lead a song, but no-one is obliged to. Drinking songs and sea chanteys always go over well, but anything with a good, singable chorus will be appreciated!
Contact: Jeff Keller at jeff.keller@gmail.com

Veggie Fermentation with Flora
Thursday, July 17, 6:00-8:00 pm 
Flora Spivak will discuss and demonstrate simple techniques for making veggie fermentations such as sauerkraut and pickling at home. Sample recipes provided. Come learn and/or share your  own experience and knowledge of these traditional methods of preserving food. (Check out the Somerville Fermentation Festival she is coordinating for Sunday, September 7 at the Center for the Arts at the Armory!)
Contact: Flora at sfspivak@gmail.com 

Tree Walk with Emily
Friday, July 18, 6:00 pm
Join volunteer Emily Wang for a walk around the Center and the neighborhood to visit and get to learn about local urban trees together. 
Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org 

Nature Journaling for Everyone with Libby
Saturday, July 19, 8:00-10:00 am
Come and slow down, observe, and connect with nature through journaling. We’ll begin by crafting our simple journals using paper and watercolors, then step into the natural world to capture what we see, hear, and feel through words, sketches, or color. Afterward, we’ll gather as a group to share our reflections over a soothing cup of herbal tea. This is a relaxed and supportive space for creative exploration, presence, and connection with like-minded individuals.  For more info, visit Libby Curtis Webb’s website at https://libbycurtiswebb.com/
Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org

Home Hydroponics to Grow Greens Year Round with Chi-hua
Saturday, July 19, 6:00-7:00 pm 
Hydroponics is a simple and efficient way to produce clean and healthy greens. Depending on the production scale and  space available at home, there are many different setups from a tray to automated multi-layer systems.  Chi-hua will share what he has learned in growing microgreens and leafy greens hydroponically over the past 10 years. 
Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org 

Cordage from Natural Materials
Monday, July 21, 7:00-8:00 pm
Explore how to make twisted or braided cord from natural and foraged materials. What do you have at home that might be considered waste (corn husks, banana peels, etc)? What might your garden offer (long grasses, etc.)? Come explore some options and methods using basic tools.
Contact: lisa@thegrowingcenter.org 

Poetry in the Garden Open Mic
Tuesday, July 22, 6:00-7:30 pm
Join us for one of the evenings in this series of themed open mic nights with fellow creative and poets. Monthly themes are loosely suggested topic–and optional. Anyone can share their work regardless of participation in the theme. Sign up link here. 
Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org
 
Sketching Hours
Saturday, July 26, 12:00-2:00 pm
The Garden is opening for people to come sketch and draw in a garden setting. Some limited materials available.
Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org 

Plant and Solar Dyeing
Sunday, July 27, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 
A family friendly event, for all ages.  Explore dyeing yarn with plants using the power of the sun. Please bring a glass jar, if possible, to take home to see yarn change color over time (there will be some extras).
Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org