Retired Stearns Farm manager Kathy Huckins will share her deep knowledge of gardening with beginning and advanced gardeners in two hands on courses at her Northboro gardens and greenhouse. The classes begin the third weekend in April and run through September.
How to Grow a Garden, for beginning gardeners, will meet on the third Saturday of every month from 9:30 am-12:30 pm, beginning April 21. This six month class will take students through everything they need to know to successfully plan, prepare, plant, tend, and harvest their own gardens.
Participants will learn garden siting; soil preparation; compost use; garden layout; seed and plant selection; watering and weeding; staking and mulching; insects and diseases concerns; harvesting and putting by; fall growing and clean-up; and ergonomics and useful tools.
How to Keep a Garden, for seasoned gardeners, will meet on the third Sunday of every month from 9:30 am-12:30 pm beginning April 22. This six-month course will provide information for the practicing gardener who is looking to create healthier garden environments that increase the quality and quantity of their produce.
Participants will learn about interactive garden designs and plant choices; retaining healthy soil through compost options; no-tillage techniques; permaculture; starting transplants; saving seeds; tool sharpening; best practices for insect/disease issues; food storage; and winter gardening.
The course costs $360, and enrollment is limited to 10 students. For information about reduced rates or work trades, or to register, call Kathy at 508.393.8695, email huckinshome@gmail.com or visit Huckinsforge.com/garden-course
