Sussex Master Gardeners winter/spring workshops begin
Now that it is time to start thinking of the coming gardening season, the Sussex Master Gardeners' workshop schedule includes a wide variety of topics which will help attendees have fabulous gardens this year. Classes are free unless otherwise specified, and all will be held at the Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center, 16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown. The center is one quarter mile west of Sussex Tech High School.
The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m., Master Gardener Fran Meehan will conduct a workshop on Houseplant Care. The class will diagnose and remediate specific plant problems and then cover general house plant growing concerns. There will be an abundance of information available to help attendees grow beautiful indoor gardens.
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1 to 3:30 p.m., Master Gardener Rick Petrecca will present a detailed workshop on Vegetable Gardening. This workshop covers the needs of a productive garden, including sun, water, nutrients and the garden layout. Petrecca will then move on to selecting vegetables, and planting and growing a productive crop.
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6 to 8 p.m., University of Delaware Cooperative Extension Agent Dot Abbott and ISA Certified Arborist Richard Pratt will present a workshop on Pruning Trees and Shrubs. This workshop will address specific pruning tips, such as why prune, when to prune, how to prune, and pruning tools and safety undertaking.
Tuesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m., Dr. Arthur Tucker, emeritus professor of Delaware State University, will discuss his new book, "The Culinary Herbal: Growing and Preserving 97 Flavorful Herbs." Good cooks know that nothing beats fresh-clipped herbs. Gorgeously photographed by herb experts Art Tucker and Susan Belsinger, the book highlights 97 delicious varieties - like black cumin, fenugreek, lemon balm, and sassafras - that attendees will want to grow, whether they are gardeners who love to cook or cooks who love to garden. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and can be signed by the author.
Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m., Master Gardeners Brent Marsh and Linda Peters will present a workshop on Wild Bees. Honey bees may pollinate most crops, but it’s up to wild bees to make sure garden plants, ornamentals and wildflowers get adequate pollination. Attendees will learn about the basic must-haves, food and shelter, to attract these bees to the garden. Participants will make a bee house to take home. Limit 30.
Tuesday, April 5, 6:30 p.m., Master Gardeners Penny Deiner and Wes Beers will present a workshop titled Gardening in Squares. Learn about this method which focuses on productive vegetable and flower gardening in small spaces. It starts with designing the garden based on a gardener's personal needs and location, preparing the soil, selecting plants, planting and replanting. Garden squares takes 80 percent less space than traditional row gardening, and there are fewer weeds to pull. Gardening in squares is viewed in the context of accessibility and making outdoor space inviting, productive and enjoyable.
Tuesday, April 12, 1 p.m., Master Gardeners Lisa Arni, Maureen Ryan and Jean Sewald will present a workshop on Shrubs and Trees. Attendees will hear about and see mature trees and shrubs that grow well in the area. The three Master Gardeners will share pictures of shrubs and trees in their gardens and talk about their care.
Tuesday, April 19, 6:30 p.m., Master Gardeners Tracy Mulveny and Susan Trone will present a workshop on propagation, Get the Jump on Spring. This workshop will offer techniques for starting seeds and cuttings using traditional and repurposed materials to get a supply of new plants for the garden.
Tuesday, May 3, 1 p.m., Master Gardener James Brown will present a workshop on Rain Barrels. Those who have a roof are halfway to being water conservationists. Attendees will make rain barrels to capture water for a number of uses including watering plants, cleaning tools, washing the car, but not for drinking. Limit 15 participants. Fee is $50.
Tuesday, May 17, 1 p.m., Master Gardener Lana Ward will present a workshop on how to Choose The Best Herbs for spring planting. Attendees will learn about the proper location, care of, harvesting, drying and storage of various herbs. The facilitators will discuss the many uses of herbs in culinary and beverage recipes, crafts, potpourris, and home décor, inspiring attendees to give more space in the garden for herbs. Limit 24.
Tuesday, June 14, 1 p.m., Master Gardener Lisa Arni will present a workshop titled Fairy Garden in a Broken Pot. This workshop will demonstrate how to take broken clay or ceramic pots and also broken pieces and transform them into a fairy garden with miniature plants. Different plant textures and colors will be used as well as methods of increasing depth perception within the planting area. This is a great way to repurpose and reuse normally discarded broken items.
To preregister for workshops, contact Tammy Schirmer at 302-856-2585, Ext. 544 or tammys@udel.edu or go to extension.udel.edu/lawngarden/master-gardener-volunteer-educators/sussex-county/workshops.
