By: Rachel Melvin, University of Maryland Extension-Queen Anne’s County Master Gardener Coordinator
Growing your own vegetables can provide you and your family with fresh flavorful veggies, can help you save money and can help you to learn new skills as a gardener. Even if you are an experienced gardener or a beginner, have we got the program for you! For the 3rd year in a row the University of Maryland Extension-Queen Anne’s Master Gardener Volunteers will be holding several Grow It Eat It classes throughout Queen Anne’s County in the upcoming months. The Grow It Eat It campaign is collaboration between the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and the Home and Garden Information Center. This venture addresses the growing need of Marylanders to learn how to start and maintain successful food gardens. As part of Maryland’s Food Gardening Network, Queen Anne’s County Master Gardener Volunteers offer Beginner Vegetable Garden classes and workshops. All classes are free and open to the public. Our vision is one million gardeners in the state producing their own affordable, healthy food.
Classes that will be given include: Basic Vegetable Gardening: This introductory class with provide you with the 12 basic steps to start your garden. Waterworks (Rain Barrels, soaker hoses & drip irrigation): This class is designed to provide you with the knowledge needed to set up a rain barrel, soaker hose and drip irrigation in your garden. Container Gardening & Raised Beds: Want a vegetable garden, but don’t have the space? Then this is the class for you! This class will introduce you to the wonderful world of using containers & raised beds for growing veggies. Composting made Simple: Compost, black gold… This class will show you how easy it is to turn your yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, and many more) into a valuable soil additive. Vegetable Gardening IPM : No garden is complete without the occasional spider or ladybug. This class will introduce you to the good guys and the bad guys in the garden. Growing Healthy Habits for Children:(Centreville location only) Growing vegetables is great fun, good exercise and a good way to eat more nutritiously. Involving children while gardening is a great way to expose them as to where their dinner time veggies come from. How to Grow Lettuce and Herbs: (Sudlersville location only) Growing your own lettuce and herbs is fun and can be very cost effective. This class will introduce you to the many varieties of lettuce and herbs that can be grown right outside your back door.
Queen Anne’s County Free Library in Stevensville:
• Wednesday, February 22nd Time: 6:30 to 7:30pm Topic-12 Simple steps to starting a veggie garden
• Thursday, March 22nd Time: 6:30 to 7:30pm Topic-Waterworks: Rain barrels, soaker hoses and drip irrigation
• Tuesday, April 24th Time: 6:30 to 7:30pm Topic: Container Gardening & Beyond
• Tuesday, May 15th Time: 6:30 to 7:30pm Topic: Veggie Garden IPM: knowing your friends & foe in the garden
• Wednesday, June 13th Time: 6:30 to 7:30pm Topic- Composting made simple
Queen Anne’s County Free Library in Centreville:
• Wednesday, February 15th Time: 7 to 8pm Topic- 12 Simple steps to starting a veggie garden
• Wednesday, March 21st Time: 7 to 8pm Topic-Waterworks: Rain barrels, soaker hoses and drip irrigation
• Wednesday, April 18th Time: 7 to 8pm Topic-Growing healthy habits with children in the garden
• Monday, May 7th Time: 7 to 8pm Topic: Veggie Garden IPM: knowing your friends & foe in the garden
• Monday, June 11th Time: 7 to 8pm Topic-Composting made simple
Sudlersville Memorial Library:
• Tuesday, March 13th Time: 6:30 to 7:30pm Topic-12 Simple steps to starting a veggie garden & early spring veggies
• Tuesday, April 10th Time: 6:30 to 7:30pm Topic: How to grow lettuce & herbs
• Tuesday, May 8th Time: 6:30 to 7:30pm Topic- Composting made simple & knowing your friends & foe in the garden
For more information contact Rachel Melvin, Horticulture Educator with University of Maryland Extension-Queen Anne’s County at (410)758-0166 or at rmelvin1@umd.edu . Also check out the Maryland Food Gardening Network-Grow It Eat It program at http://growit.umd.edu , for more tips on growing great gardens.
University of Maryland Extension programs are open to everyone without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, or disability
In photo: Purple Podded Pole Beans: This delicious heirloom was discovered in the Ozark Mountains by Henry Fields in the 1930’s. The pods are bright purple, stringless, and tender. Plants grow to 6’ and produce heavy yields. They will need a trellis system and children love to watch the bright purple pods turn green when they are cooked. These have been a staple in my personal garden for years.