Table 1.

Yéego Gardening! Events and Workshops conducted in 2015

	Topic	Timing	Topics Covered
1	Kick-off Event	Mid-March to mid-April Before first thunder/lightening (when Winter is over)	Introduction to gardening and the project Traditional blessing of the garden Health benefits of gardening Planning your garden (choosing a site/crop/plant selection) Soil preparation Garden preparation (plan for irrigation) How to use gardening tools
2	Planting	Mid-May	Review crop selection/what to plant/where to plant How to plant (how tightly packed the soil, fertilizer, when to water) Sing planting songs, involve children in planting, reflect on our ancestors or elders gardening practices
3	Planting and Maintaining a Garden	Early June	Review crop selection Additional planting Irrigation Weeding Songs about growing Reflecting on use of water and conservation of resources Share stories of relationship with water (hauling water)
4	Maintaining a Garden	Early July	Review irrigation and weeding Provide tips on pest control including non-chemical pesticides Discuss mulching and other ways to protect garden
5	When and What to Harvest	August	Harvesting your crops, how to know when it’s ripe or ready Navajo ways of knowing seasons, when to harvest Benefits of being in the garden: restful, stress-free place, meditation or prayer, medicinal or traditional uses of plants
6	When and What to Harvest	Late August/September	Review harvesting, crops that ripen off the vine Benefits of healthy eating Vitamins/nutritional content of different fruits and vegetables Discuss participation in Yeibeichei (traditional ceremony)
7	Harvest Festival	October	Cooking fruits and vegetables from the garden Canning/storing your vegetables Season extension/growing off season Storytelling about gardening and harvesting Eating traditional foods