Vegetable Gardening Class

A new class offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County-

Vegetable Gardening A-Z

Do you want more control over your food supply? Would you like to eat organic, locally raised vegetables, harvested at the peak of nutrition and flavor without breaking the family budget? Start or expand your vegetable garden!
This class 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.
Instructor 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: Thursdays 6:30 PM – 8:45 PM, February 17, March 3,17 & 31, snow dates 3/24 & 4/7.
Where: Dutchess County Farm & Home Center 2715 Rt. 44, Millbrook, NY, 12545
Cost: $80 for all 4 sessions, not refundable after Feb. 4.
To register, call Nancy Halas at 845-677-8223 x115.
Make check payable to Cornell Cooperative Extension and mail to:
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 2715 Rt. 44, Suite 1, Millbrook, NY 12545, Attn: Nancy Halas

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, crop rotation, timing, succession planting, floating row covers
• Tools

Week 2:

• Direct sowing vs. transplants
• Growing your own transplants
• Preparing your garden for planting
• How to transplant
• How to direct sow: seeds in the garden
• Early spring planting with greens and roots: spinach, lettuce, chard, beets, carrots, parsley,  parsnips, and onions

Week 3:

• More early vegetables: the cabbage family: cabbage, kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, etc.
• The self-fertilizing legumes: peas and beans
• Vining crops: squashes, cucumbers, and melons
• Introduction to garden planning: starting a garden map, selecting vegetables

Week 4:

• Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes.
• More garden planning: keeping track of everything
• Garden layout, favorite combinations for companion planting & succession planting