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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

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Free 'Growing Our Own' Gardening Workshops in Columbus

February 23, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State University Extension and Local Matters are collaborating on a series of free gardening workshops through mid-June.

The "Growing Our Own" workshops cover a variety of topics, from extending the growing season by using hoop houses and cold frames to planning and seeding your garden.

All except the Feb. 11-12 weekend workshop are located at Godman Guild, 303 E. 6th St., Columbus. Participants are asked to reserve a spot by contacting Cole Wardell, cwardell@local-matters.org or 614-263-5662.

The workshops are:

  • Feb. 11-12, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Growing Communities. Longtime community organizers Noreen Warnock and Trish Dehnbostel of Local Matters will facilitate this award-winning two-day workshop designed by the American Community Gardening Association. Participants will gain skills and strategies to work with the most important aspect of gardens -- people. Attendees will learn proven strategies to build dynamic leaders and create strong gardening programs, using a participatory approach to community building. This workshop will be held at the Audubon Center, 505 W. Whittier St., Columbus.
  • Feb. 25, 9 a.m. to noon, Grow Year-Round: Hoop Houses, Low Tunnels and Cold Frames. Participants will learn a wide range of methods to grow food and herbs year-round. Features a presentation by Hal Kneen of OSU Extension. 
  • March 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Planning and Seeding Your Garden. Join Pam Bennett of OSU Extension for essential garden planning tips and learn how to grow seedlings. Growers can increase diversity and healthy plants in their gardens, adding more to their kitchens and plates with heirloom plants and successful growing tips for lush gardens. Attendees will receive free seeds.
  • March 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fruits and Berries. Mark Mechling and Mark Landefeld of OSU Extension will lead this two-part workshop about fruit and berries, the most in-demand local crop. Learn the basics of fruit tree growing and care, and, plus ways to include healthy, delicious berries in your meals. Participants also will learn about the best sources to purchase fruit trees and berries in Ohio. Includes a tasting of local fruits for all attendees.
  • April 21 10 a.m. to noon, Mushrooms! Join the owners of Green Edge Gardens to learn how to grow your own delicious mushrooms from start to finish. The workshop concludes by sharing mushroom-and-local-herb pizza.
  • May 19, 9 a.m. to noon, Irrigating Urban Gardens. Larry Brown and Angelica Huerta from Ohio State University will lead this hands-on workshop on building irrigation systems that allow gardeners to grow higher-yielding crops with less labor.
  • June 2, 10 a.m. to noon, Water Harvesting: Methods, Care, and Resources. Local experts the Rain Brothers will talk about programs for discounted or free rain barrels, how to care for rain barrels and cisterns, winterization and other helpful tips. Participants also will receive materials for planning and planting rain gardens to direct water for individual growers needs.
  • June 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Building and Testing Soil. A portion of the workshop will be devoted to reading participants' individual soil tests. Leaders will determine the types and amounts of soil amendments to balance and enhance the soil. Veteran garden educator Mike Hogan of OSU Extension will discuss building soil and techniques to create a rich ground for growing food.

For information on the series, see http://local-matters.org/blog/cole/growing-our-own-free-workshop-series.

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Source(s): 
Mike Hogan