Each Sunday from 2-4:00 p.m.
January 28- March 11
Cost: $210/Members; $230/Nonmembers
Growing your own food, whether it’s in a single pot in your kitchen window or in your whole front yard, is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Join us this winter as we explore the basic principles that all successful edible gardeners need to know. Emphasis will be placed on organic methods and many sessions will provide take home materials to aid the success of your home garden.
January 28 –All About Seeds
Starting your plants from seed gives you the power to grow all the best and brightest varieties for your garden. Join James Newburn in the greenhouse for this class on starting your own vegetable, flower and herb seeds. We will cover basics of seed starting, direct sowing, light requirements, media selection and share our favorite seed resources. During the 2nd half of the class, UT Gardens horticulturist, Alice Kimbrell will explore the ABC’s of seed saving and give tips for how to best start your own home seed library. Participants will receive a variety of seeds to take home.
February 4 – Fruit Production for the Home Gardener
UT Extension fruit tree specialist Dr. David Lockwood will lead this session on pruning all types of fruit trees. We will have an extensive indoor presentation followed an exploration in the garden to look at actual specimens. Dr. Lockwood has over 40 years of experience with fruit trees, nut trees and wine production. Bring your questions! Participants will be given ‘Triple Crown’ thornless blackberry plants to take home.
February 11 – Healthy Soil for Healthy Plants
Make your garden a success by building healthy vibrant soil. UT Gardens’ Kitchen Garden manager Holly Jones will share her favorite techniques for soil building and nutrient management. We will look at methods of cover cropping, composting, soil testing, mulching and more. Participants can bring in a sample of soil from their home garden to the next class meeting for an agricultural laboratory soil analysis.
February 18 – Style and Function in the Edible Garden
Learn how to apply principles of design to vegetable production for a garden that is both beautiful and functional. From raised bed materials to garden color combinations, we will look at ways to combine vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers for a garden that is as ornamental as it is productive. Weather permitting; we will explore the UT Kitchen garden to look at vertical structures, building materials and the structural “bones” of the garden. Knox Co. Master Gardener Marsha Lehman will lead the second half of this class with an exploration of season extension methods to help stretch the growing season.
February 25 – Growing with the Seasons—Warm and Cool Season Edibles
John Tullock shares his experience and expertise in growing vegetables and culinary herbs in the beautiful Tennessee Valley region. Besides popular warm season crops like corn and tomatoes, cool season edibles such as lettuce, broccoli and some lesser known ones will be covered. John will also discuss his favorite tips and techniques for growing backyard berries both in containers and in the garden. Participants will get to take home a copy of John’s new book—Seed to Supper.
March 4 – Organic Pest Control
While 95% of insects are either neutral or beneficial to humans, that other 5% can be a real nuisance! Join, UT Gardens Kitchen Garden manager Holly Jones to learn chemical free methods to deal with the pests that are ailing your garden. We will discuss companion planting, mechanical control, variety selection, attracting predatory insects, natural insecticides and more.
March 11 ---Irrigation Basics
Watering is one of the most misunderstood aspects of gardening. How much and how often depends on what type of plant your growing, what type of soil you have, and how hot or humid the weather is. Knox Co. Master Gardener Jan Gangwer will simplify this topic with lessons on the most common methods for watering your garden. Learn the basics for a sprinkler and drip system installation, how much water to apply and when, as well as adjusting water pressure, timers, water conservation and rain barrel systems.
