Hello again, neighbors! In this week's class (Wednesday, 3/8) we'll be talking about how to choose plants for particular areas/applications. We'll take all sorts of things into consideration, including available light, color, wildlife you may want to attract and your own personal preferences. Every plant can be categorized in so many ways, from how it grows to what it likes to eat. If you thought there were only a couple choices available for that one dark corner of your yard, think again! Figure out the exact right thing for the exact right space! In addition, this month's upcoming classes are: 3/15: Natural Extensions! Here in Zone 5/6, our growing season has its limits. But there are some really simple things we can do to extend our growing season by anywhere from two weeks to three months! Imagine having a freshly-picked salad with Thanksgiving dinner, or home-grown peas and spinach on Mother's Day--maybe even a great bouquet of some nice annuals! Learn how to make your season all that much more bountiful. (Yes, these methods work for veggies, herbs and flowers, too!) 3/22: Down & Dirty Soil is the most important component of your garden's health. Learn the basics: soil texture and structure, pH, and a few simple tests to give you a good idea of your starting point. After you've learned how to assess your soil, we'll discuss ways to improve it. We will also cover the major nutrients necessary for plant growth, how to test for them and how to amend your soil to improve nutrient level. 3/29: Cut It Out! All the basics (how, when, where, why) of tree and shrub pruning (both ornamental and fruit), as well as how to properly cut back perennial grasses and flowers. Class will include a discussion of appropriate tools for different jobs. Weather permitting, there will be an outdoor portion to this class. Either way, please bring a pair of pruners if you have them. Each class is $10/person with a 10% discount if you pay for more than 5 at once or you are a member of a garden club. I accept cash, check and major credit cards. Classes are available at no charge for those on a fixed income or assistance, just let me know. Class meets Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:30 pm. Contact me for location. Thanks! Rachel rkudrick@live.com 412-251-9759