Hello, HP neighbors! I’m thrilled that so many of you are interested in gardening!!! As I’ve stated previously, I’m a horticulturist who just wants to get us all up and growing, so here’s a quick set of FAQ on the From Planning to Canning classes: • $10/class -- No cost for those on fixed incomes or any sort of state assistance -- 10% discount if you’re a member of any garden club -- 10% discount if you pay for 5+ classes in advance • Classes are appropriate for beginner- through experienced-level gardeners. • Though much of what we cover will involve food/herb crops, the class is about GARDENING, and this includes annuals & perennials, shade trees, etc. • If there’s a topic you’d like to learn more about, suggest it! If a group of folks are interested, we’ll add it. • You can attend as many or as few classes as you wish. Pick your favorite topics! • Classes begin on Wednesday, February 15th, 6:30-8:30 pm. -- You must contact me for location. 412-251-9759. • Payment can be made via cash, check or a major credit card -- Payment must be made before class begins unless other arrangements have been made in advance. (I'd rather you came to class than you didn't attend!) -- If you are paying that night, please arrive early. Class begins at 6:30. The tentative schedule for the first few weeks is: *** 2/15: What Will Work for Me? *** --- You might have a perfect picture in your head of what you want your yard to look like, but is it a reasonable picture? We’re going to talk about dreams and then look at the realities of location (climate, sunlight, water, soil condition, etc.) to find a way to succeed. We will consider workload/time factors and cost. --- You will leave with the tools necessary to formulate a beginning plan for your garden creation (or improvement), including what and how to measure land features, how to research specific plants of interest and alternatives. *** 2/22: How Does Your Garden Grow? *** --- It’s hard to make the best decisions on a normal day! But when you’re looking at a catalog with 237 different tomato varieties, or 89 red rose plants or 32 different varieties of dogwood, how the HECK do you even begin to make sense of it all????? --- Part of the problem is often vocabulary. We hear words thrown around all the time: organic, heirloom, conventional, GMO, hybrid, variety, cultivar, sustainability… But what does it all MEAN? By better understanding the terms we hear (and the concepts behind them), we can truly begin to figure out how to make our own best decisions. --- In this session we will read through some catalog/website entries to dissect meaning behind vocabulary and abbreviations so we can begin to understand what we’re reading, which parts really matter and when. The goal is to make you a person who makes good decisions: about plants, materials, supplies, but also about the suppliers themselves! --- This will include a VERY GENRAL overview of some pest control as it relates to the entries we’re reading. *** 3/1: Starting Plants *** (there may be a slight supplies fee for this class, depending on number of attendees. No more than $2/person.) --- If you’re like a lot of people here in the East End, your idea of the origin of garden plants can be stated in two words: HOME DEPOT! In this class, we’re going to toy with a couple alternate theories of origin. --- We will be discussing a little bit of the science behind some of the ways plants grow (from seed, division, cuttings, layering). We will plant some seeds and take some cuttings, with everyone going home with at least one future-plant. Upcoming sessions for March and April will include extending the season via cold frames & hot frames, raised beds, tree pruning, soil (structure, testing & amendment) and transplanting. PLEASE, if you are interested, contact me via email rkudrick@live.com or via personal message, making sure to include your email address. Thanks, I really look forward to going greener with you all! Rachel