Vegetable Gardening A-Z (Series 1)

Date: Feb 11, 2012 - Feb 11, 2012

Time: 09:30am - 12:00pm

Location: Dutchess County Farm and Home Center - View Google Map

This 5 session class in Millbrook covers the fundamentals of growing vegetables, from selecting varieties and planting seeds and transplants, to growing and harvesting. We will look at how to protect your garden from pests both big and tiny and cover techniques such as  growing beds, mulching, watering, crop rotation and garden design. This information will help experienced gardeners take their garden to the next level.

Presenter Mary Nisley has gardened organically for more than 30 years in 3 states, giving her experience with a wide range of vegetables, growing conditions, and problems.

WHEN: Saturdays 9:30 AM - Noon, Feb. 11 – March 10 (5 classes), snow days March 24 & 31.

• WHERE: Dutchess County Farm & Home Center, 2715 Rt. 44, Millbrook, NY
• COST: $95 for all 5 sessions, not refundable after Feb. 3.

• TO REGISTER call Nancy Halas at 845-677-8223 x115. VISA/MC accepted. Checks payable to Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, mailed to: Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, Attn: Nancy Halas, 2715 Rt. 44, Suite 1, Millbrook, NY 12545

SUBJECTS BY WEEK: 

Week 1:

• Your garden site; soil, sun, pH, water, frost, etc
• Protecting your vegetable garden from the critters

• Techniques: garden beds, mulches, watering, weeding,  floating row covers

Week 2: we start our own lettuce transplants!

• Direct sowing vs. transplants
• Growing your own transplants
• Preparing your garden for planting
• How to transplant
• How to direct sow: seeds in the garden

• Timing in the garden

Week 3:

• Crop rotation
• Introduction to garden planning: creating a garden layout and organizing information

• Early spring planting with greens and roots: spinach, lettuce, chard, beets, carrots, parsley,  parsnips, and onions

Week 4:

• More early vegetables: the cabbage family: cabbage, kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.
• The self-fertilizing legumes: peas and beans

• Vining crops: squashes and cucumbers

Week 5:

• Tomatoes: pruning & trellising
• Peppers, eggplants and potatoes,
• Corn
• Sweet potatoes
• Succession planting

• Wrap-up

Notes:

• For each vegetable family I cover growing techniques and common pests & problems

• Each session includes a 10 minute break and time for questions.

Please help us publicize this event- print & distribute our poster. Thank you!