Click HERE to view our planned workshops and RSVP.
DIY Aquaponics Workshop - January 20, 2024
Join us for an exciting Aquaponics Workshop where you'll discover the secrets of sustainable gardening using aquaponics! Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to grow fresh produce while conserving water. Join our workshop today! DIY Kits are available for purchase while supplies last!
Workshop Highlights:
Build a sustainable garden with aquaponics
Construct your own 4 sq ft. system using repurposed materials
Grow herbs, leafy greens, and beautiful flowering plants
Maximize water usage with a recirculating system
No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides required
Connect with a community of like-minded individuals
Benefits of Aquaponics:
Save water: Use 90% less water compared to traditional gardening methods
Sustainable food production: Grow fresh produce without harmful chemicals
Environmental stewardship: Contribute to a greener and more sustainable future
Community engagement: Connect with a community passionate about sustainable living
Workshop Details:
Date: January 20, 2024
Time: 10-2p
Location: To be announced via email to registrants about 1 week before the workshop date
Suggested Donation: $20; if you are unable to pay, no need to worry. We are happy that you are interested in learning how to build a more sustainable future.
Lunch will be served.
Limited Spots Available!
Register now to secure your spot: LINK
Contact: ahmed@smartyardseducation.org
Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn the art of aquaponics and create your own sustainable garden. Join us at our workshop and take the first step towards a greener, more self-sufficient lifestyle!
"Fall 4 Natives" - November 19, 2023
Learn About California's Ecological Flora!
Did you know, fall is the absolute BEST time to plant? If you want to learn more about indigenous plant communities, support pollinators, grow native medicine and food, store carbon in the soil, create drought tolerant gardens and honor California's ecological history, we are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming workshop: Fall 4 Natives! We hope you can join us.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, November 19, 2023
Time: 9:30-11:30AM
Location: 76 Race St San Jose - @ California Native Garden Foundation, Middlebrook Gardens
Registration: $35 suggested registration fee - if you can't pay, don't let that stop you; we want you to join!
Agenda:
Introduction to California Native Plants
Overview of the diverse flora native to California
Importance of preserving and promoting native plant species
Identification and Characteristics
Field demonstrations on identifying common native plants
Understanding the unique features of each species
Superstar Spotlight
Deep dive into some of our favorite species: Oak, Ceanothus, Gooseberry
Landscaping with Native Plants
Benefits of incorporating native plants into your landscape
Tips for creating a sustainable and vibrant native garden
Propagating Natives
Insight into different propagation techniques
How you can contribute to preserving California's native flora - grow your own!
Hands-On Activities
Planting - learn technique and why we plant now! CNGF’s nursery will be open for business if you want to take home some California natives with you!
Propagating - take home your own California Native starters!
Why Attend:
Gain in-depth knowledge about California native plants
Learn practical tips and reasons for incorporating native plants into your life
Network with fellow native plant nerds and experts in the field
Contribute to the conservation of our region's unique biodiversity
Eat good bagels and drink good coffee on a lovely Sunday morning
RSVP:
Please confirm your attendance by signing up HERE.
We look forward to your participation in this informative and engaging workshop. Together, let's explore the beauty and significance of California's native plant life.
For questions or comments please reach out: rachel@smartyardseducation.org
“Air Bee N’ Bee”
In collaboration with The Forge of Santa Clara University,
Smart Yards Education invites you on Saturday, October 28th, from 9:30am to 12:00pm at The Forge of Santa Clara University (1051 Sherman St, Santa Clara, CA 95050).
Have you ever wondered about the differences between honeybees and native bees? Have you ever wondered about the importance of these tiny creatures in the greater ecosystem?
Get ready for an un-bee-lievable workshop that combines hands-on learning and education as we build homes for our buzzing friends at Air Bee n’ Bee! Our goal is to come together as a community and craft beautiful habitats for our beloved, native bees while learning about their important roles in the process.
Elizabeth Sarmiento and Victor Valladares from Smart Yards Education are thrilled to bring our community together on October 28 to discuss bees, pollinators, garden ecosystems, and the creative reuse of “waste” materials, found objects, and plant parts. These materials, readily available in gardens, will be transformed into charming habitats that you can take home!
This event is all about rolling up our sleeves and making a direct impact! Don’t miss it!
Hands-on Permaculture Skills Training Workshops
"How to Grow Water"
In partnership with Santa Clara Valley Water and Vital Cycles of Santa Cruz, Smart Yards Education is proud to announce an immersion experience, a training program with actual hands-on installations of water conservation systems and eco-gardens using the power and principles of Permaculture.
This introduction to permaculture principles and optimization of water usage is open to all residents and people who work in Santa Clara County from landscaping experts to community members, students, property owners -- whoever wants to learn practical skills for tending outdoor living spaces. The course will be taught in English, however, bi-lingual Spanish and English speakers are especially welcome. Option to sign up for a single weekend is possible. Please specify which weekend on the registration form.
The first weekend’s educational program will be held at a mature permaculture site with examples of functioning systems in place. It will be instruction only with on-site demonstrations of how the water saving techniques and permaculture principles work together.
Each of the three remaining workshop weekends will include morning instruction on the permaculture strategies and systems to be implemented onsite followed by hands-on installations on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This group will meet in person for one weekend each month for three months, each weekend at a different residence in the South Bay Area with a focus on different permaculture practices at each location.
This group will meet in person for one weekend each month for four months, each weekend at a different residence in the South Bay Area.
– February 4 and 5, 2023
Intro Permaculture and On-Site Demonstration
– March 4 and 5, 2023
Water conserving permaculture features at this site include:
Lawn conversion to pollinator habitat garden, building the soil sponge, carbon cycles, soil inoculants, roof water harvesting, soil infilatration system, mulched basins, swales/berms, and habitat care.
– Apr 15 and 16, 2023
Water conserving permaculture features at this site include:
In addition to the March weekend features there will be an additional laundry-to-landscape greywater system installation, Hugelkultur compost design, and pruning.
– May 27 and 28, 2023
Similar lawn conversion and habitat garden building as the previous two weekends; roof water harvesting, native privacy hedge, installation of solar timer for irrigation systems, habitat care including sheet mulching and leaf composting.
Limited to 25 students. Tuition for this course (for which the student will receive a 'certificate of completion') or individual weekends is on a sliding scale:
– $800 (full tuition will support scholarships for low-income community members who are committed to learning Permaculture Principles)
– $400
– $200
– $100 (minimum financial commitment)
If you are a home or property owner interested in receiving installation of water-saving irrigation systems and/or a beautiful California climate-appropriate garden, please inquire at info@smartyardseducation.org. Although property owner registration is sold out for this event, we welcome you to submit your information so that we can make sure you are notified of similar events in the future.
FEB 2023 - MAY 2023
Sign up:
Students: registration is closed
Property Owners: registration is closed
Introduction to Aquaponics Workshop
This event is open to anyone interested in learning how to navigate installing an aquaponics system in their own residence or for those who seek a deeper understanding of the technology in general. Included in the workshop is a system and garden tour, demonstration, and open discussion about all aspects of aquaponics. We will be showcasing a working residential aquaponics food farm in San Jose’s Almaden Valley. With the purpose of teaching the basics of installing & maintaining aquaponics systems, we will reveal the science behind aquaponics systems and invite open discussion on how to maximize efficiency of this organic technology.
Date/Time: Sat, Sept 10, 2022 • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Location: San José’s Almaden Valley, 95120 (address provided upon RSVP)
Suggested Donation: FREE
Coffee, Tea, and Pastries will be served.
Details:
By the end of this workshop you’ll gain the confidence to start and maintain your own aquaponics system, choose fish and plants, test water chemistry, understand how nutrients are delivered, and troubleshoot the system. This workshop will provide the knowledge you need to give aquaponics a try on a small scale.
Learn how to make the most of your yard and water with your own Aquaponics System:
Design an appropriately-sized system to make the most of a small garden plot
Learn what parts you can repurpose, and other ways to reduce startup costs
Ensuring proper nutrient flow (fish food to fish waste to plant food)
Water reuse and filtered solids recycling
Fish husbandry
Maintain proper oxygen levels with aeration
Offsetting electricity usage with solar power
Learn More and RSVP: HERE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
Hands-on Workshop: Laundry to Landscape (L2L) Greywater
As temperatures rise and droughts become more severe, greywater reuse can offer an exciting solution to keep landscapes green and productive throughout the summer months and beyond— without consuming precious potable water. Join Smart Yards Education for this 5-hour hands-on greywater L2L workshop. In this hands-on workshop at a San José home, you will learn about the exciting benefits of greywater: what it is; how to design and install an L2L greywater system; how to take advantage of Valley Water’s L2L rebate program; and you’ll be part of Smart Yards Education Earth Day Action Community by installing a system; while learning this technical skills that make a big difference in water reuse.
Learn More and RSVP: HERE
Location: San Jose, CA 95125, exact location to be provided after registration
Date/Time: Saturday, May 21st, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (registration starts at 8:45am)
Lunch Included: Courtesy of “A Slice of New York”
Suggested Donation: $25-$50
Details: Workshop will be taught in Spanish and English. Bring gloves, a hat, water, and sunscreen. Masks are not required but suggested. Advance registration is required.
MAY 21, 2022
Water, Soil, Plants and Climate
Join Smart Yards Education and Lydia Neilsen and Anne Freiwald of Vital Cycles for this eye-opening talk on the connections between water, soil, plants and climate, and how our mis-management of the water cycle is driving the increased temperatures and extreme weather that we are experiencing planet-wide.
Location: 544 Snyder Ave, San Jose 95125
Date/Time: October 23, 2021, 9a-12p (registration starts at 8:45a)
A sanitizing station will be located onsite. Please bring your own mask, cup, and plate. Coffee, pastries, and fruit will be available.
Suggested Donation: $10-50
OCT 23, 2021
Lawn Conversion: Habitat, & Rain Garden Hands-on Workshop with Smart Yards Co-op
The workshop will involve converting a lawn into a climate appropriate garden which is water-wise and saves both the habitat and money. It features California native plants, rain capture installation to recharge local groundwater. The conversion will increase the garden’s beauty and strength the community’s connection with local flora and fauna.
Features participation from Smart Yards Co-op, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley, Razing the Bar, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water).
OCT 17 & 24, 2020