Your Sitka Local Foods Network reminds you that it’s time to get out in the garden and harvest and store your potatoes.

The Sitka Local Foods Network education committee encourages people to come and get their hands dirty as you learn how to harvest potatoes. Participants will also learn what they need to do to keep those potatoes fresh and ready to eat from now until May.

Michelle Putz will present three short hands-on potato harvesting and storage workshops at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, and at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, all at her home at 131 Shelikof Way. The classes are free and open to everyone.

In addition, she will lead a short class on planting garlic at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, just before her third potato-harvesting class. Garlic is best planted in the fall.

The Sitka Local Foods Network education committee has been hosting a series of “It’s time to …” workshops this year designed to help local residents learn about various aspects of vegetable gardening and fruit growing. Many of these classes will be informal get-togethers at various gardens around town. Please watch our website, Facebook page, Facebook group, and local news media for information about upcoming classes. If you have an “It’s time to …” workshop you’d like to teach, contact Michelle Putz at 747-2708.