Bread-baking teacher to offer gardening classes

For many years, Mary Lee Abba-Gaston has made a name for herself teaching Old World skills such as bread baking through her business, Old Mission Brick Oven Breads and School of Lost Arts.

Now, the longtime baker is expanding her offerings with organic gardening classes. Abba-Gaston has had a large vegetable and herb garden for more than 40 years. The new classes will help new or struggling gardeners turn a piece of their backyard into a productive garden.

The class includes details on preparing soils and choosing plants, and she will introduce people to the varieties and seeds that have grown best for her over the years. Participants also will receive seeds to take home so they can get started immediately. Each class lasts four to five hours and includes a home-cooked meal where Abba-Gaston will showcase food that can be grown in a backyard garden.

Once a student has attended classes, Abba-Gaston will keep them informed of ongoing summer classes to help gardeners solve any problems, learn about how to use their harvest, and can or preserve their foods.

Classes are $25, and she teaches them at her home on Courtland Avenue in Spokane. Register for a class by calling and setting a date that is convenient. She also can accommodate groups of people up to 12 participants.

Reach Abba-Gaston and the Old Mission Brick Oven Breads and School of Lost Arts by calling (509) 467-7309 or by email at mgaston1@zagmail. gonzaga.edu.