Starting a garden in our region isn't just a single season affair! There are multiple opportunities throughout the year.

In this four-part workshop, you'll learn how to plan a garden, plant, tend, and harvest edible foods! Some of what you'll learn includes:

Session 1 - Planning

• Planning a garden plot
• Deciding what to plant
• Space requirements
• Kind of garden
• Traditional tilled rows
• Raised bed
• Vertical
• Container
• Location of plot
• Soil testing (demo)
• Preparing the ground
• When
• Equipment and materials needed
• Soil amendments

Session 2 - Planting

• Seed sources
• Planting seeds
• Growing zones
• Interpreting package instructions
• Starting seeds indoors
• Selecting healthy plants
• Planting seedlings
• Weather conditions
• Spacing
• Seasonal planting
• Early spring
• Spring
• Fall

Session 3 - Tending

• Weeding
• Thinning
• Hoeing, raking, etc.
• Plant supports
• Mulching
• Watering methods
• Identifying and treating diseases
• Identifying and controlling pests

Session 4 - Harvesting and Miscellaneous Tips

• Knowing when plants are ready for harvest
• Pacing of harvest for steady supply
• How to harvest
• Disposition of expended plants
• Composting
• Gathering seeds for next season
• Rotation of crops
• Green manures
• Pros and cons of natural/organic and chemical treatments

Workshop Leaders

Session 1: Debbie Ellis is a lifelong gardener and Master Gardener volunteer for the Catawba County Cooperative Extension. As a master gardener, she teaches the Carolina Yards and Neighborhoods class on environmentally-friendly landscaping. Debbie also speaks to area groups about building and using rain barrels.

Sessions 2-4: Beth Childers has 10 years' experience in the horticultural field as part owner and manager of Little Green Things Greenhouse & Nursery in Hildebran. Beth has an associates' degree in horticulture and will graduate with a BS in agricultural education in December.

Workshop Dates and Location

This four-part workshop will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon each day on

• Tuesday, August 11
• Thursday, August 13
• Tuesday, August 18
• Thursday, August 20

Location will be Appalachian Center at Hickory. The center is located on the East Campus of Catawba Valley Community College, 2760 US Highway 70 SE in Hickory, behind Northern Tool.

To Register

Registration is available to adults of all ages by phone, mail, or online through August 5. (After August 5, please register by phone only.) Click a payment option below to print out a registration form for mailing or to register online. To register by phone, call 828-324-6966, ext. 2001.

Cost for this four-part workshop is only $45 per person, or $40 each for groups of two or more registering together. Registration is payable by credit card, check, or PayPal account. NOTE: Fee is payable at time of registration.

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel your registration on or before August 5, 2009. After August 5, no refunds will be given; however, substitutions are welcome. We reserve the right to cancel this program in the event of unforeseen circumstances or low enrollment. If a course is cancelled, a full refund of the registration fee will be given.