This year, new with Growing Groceries, there will be a hands-on class at the Whidbey Institute on Third Thursdays.

From 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, March 17, in the Whidbey Institute Westgarden, students can learn the hands-on skills to make starts with seed blocks, take soil tests and make a cloche with floating row covers.

The class is by donation, and will be presented by Cary Peterson. For information and registration, call the Whidbey Institute at 341-1884, or e-mail growinggroceries@whidbey.com.