Rooted in Community: Backyard Garden Forum, April 11, 2026 10:00AM

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Rooted in Community: Backyard Garden Forum

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Sat., April 11 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Special Events Hall

Join Phipps, local experts and community members to learn about a variety of topics including tomato production, tea composting and more. Plus, registrants will also receive a delicious catered lunch during the forum.

• Diseases in the Vegetable Garden | Remi Ham, Penn State Extension 
• Waste-Not Cooking from the Garden | Chef Mike Godlewski, EYV restaurant 
• Close-Up on Tomato Production | Indira Ramirez, Eden Hall Farm 
• Plants for Skin Care | Jodi Danyo, Cherry Valley Organics 
• DIY Garden Fertilizers and Amendments | Jasen Bernthisel, Future Is Nuts and Grow Pittsburgh 
• Backyard Berry Production | Allison Glick, Phipps Conservatory

Plus, Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD) will be hosting a free Soil Lead Screening Pop-Up! Contaminants are common in urban soil and can be hazardous to health when ingested or inhaled. Soil testing is the first step to reduce your risk of exposure whether you are backyard gardening, urban farming, stewarding community green space or revitalizing vacant lots. No registration is required for this pop-up, but residents wishing to have their soil screened for lead must correctly collect and label their soil sample. Find instructions for how to prepare your soil samples here.

Phipps' Rooted in Community: Backyard Garden Forum will be held at Phipps' Special Events Hall. See ticket levels below: 

• Standard – $55
• Supported – $25; Ideal for Museums for All participants, students or those with limited resources
• Pay It Forward – $85; Ideal for those eager to support access and equity for ecological gardening education

Attendees registering by April 1 at 8pm will be entered in a raffle for a garden supply gift basket!

 

We're sorry. Tickets are not available for this event at this time.