ORGANIC GARDENING CLASSES
Classes will be held on Zoom
Tuesday and Thursday evenings
January 12th through February 18th.
6:30 PM and end at 8:30 PM.
Whether you're new to vegetable gardening, or just want to sharpen your skills, you will learn something new from these experienced instructors.
If you'd like to attend the entire course, please go to: https://bit.ly/OGVegFullCourse
Each class is $10 , or $5 for WSU Master Gardeners.
Register for 6 classes and we will send you a copy of the "Maritime NW Garden Guide", published by Tilth Alliance. It's filled with monthly tips, plant lists and charts for our local conditions to keep you on track all year. The books will be mailed at the end of the series. Each attendee will also receive the link to a Google drive with additional articles and support materials.
Here is the schedule:
1/12/2021 Planning the Vegetable Garden
Garden Location; Sun exposure and Garden Soil; What to Grow / When to plant; Different Planting Methods; After the Harvest – Winter, “off season”; Keeping records
1/14/2021 Soil Science for the Home Gardener
Plant needs; What is soil and how does it function; What makes a good soil and how to protect it; The soil food web; Soil nutrients and soil PH; organic matter; soil testing
1/19/2021 Seeding and Planting Techniques
What you need to know about seeds; Techniques for growing your own veggies from seed; Transplanting your veggie starts; Planting outdoors
1/21/2021 Fertilization and Irrigation for the Home Gardener
Choosing and determining how much fertilizer; irrigation methods, amounts and timing
1/26/2021 Get to Know the Plant Families Part 1
Descriptions & Growing of Common Vegetables:
Apiaceae – carrot, celery, dill, fennel, parsley, cilantro; Brassicaceae – broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, cabbage, arugula, radish, etc.; Solanaceae – tomato, eggplant, pepper
1/28/2021 Get to Know the Plant Families Part 2
Amaranthaceae – beet, spinach, chard; Cucurbitaceae – cucumber, squash, pumpkin; Amaryllidaceae – onion, leek, garlic, shallot; Fabaceae – beans, peas; Asteraceae – lettuce, artichoke, endive; Poaceae – corn, grains
2/2/2021 Pests and Diseases of the Vegetable Garden
Basic principles of Integrated Pest Management, Pest and disease identification
2/4/2021 Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
What is a beneficial insect & why do we want them? Common beneficial insects in our area; Predators, Parasitoids, and Pollinators; Non insect beneficials; Encouraging beneficial insects & others; Habitat, plants, food, water
2/9/2021 Home Composting
What is compost and composting? The benefits of composting; The composting process and Carbon Cycle; Microorganisms; Factors in composting successfully; How to create and use your gorgeous compost!
2/11/2021 Vermicomposting and Edible Perennials
Vermicomposting: How To Start and Maintain a Worm Bin; Uses for Worm Castings
Edible Perennials: Herbs, fruits & vegetables, other edible “permanent plants” to consider
2/16/2021 Cover Crops and Mulches for the Home Gardener
Definitions; Reasons to use cover crops and mulches; Common cover crops and mulchesl; Planning for and Timing; Planting and growth; Terminating cover crop to plant vegetables
2/18/2021 Four Season Harvests
Choosing a Winter Garden Site; Basic Botany for the Four-Season Gardener; Choosing the Right Crops; Planting and Harvesting Timetables; Adding Fall/Winter Crops to the Rotation Plan; Season Extension and Weather Protection