This course will guide participants through all the intricate details of organic gardening, focusing on sustainable methods and strategies for growing food while nurturing the soil, environment, and personal well-being.  Each session will include ample time for Q&A to address participants’ specific questions and concerns.  Participants should have at least some gardening experience. 

All sessions will be at the instructor’s home:  127 Robinson Road, Sidney Maine.

Session 1:   Tuesday, March 17th.  Indoors.

Selecting Seeds:  Recommended sources of seeds and supplies.

Garden Planning:  Design strategies, crop rotations and soil testing.

Seed Starting:   germination techniques and growing healthy seedlings.  There will be a demonstration of using the soil block system for seedlings, an eco-friendly alternative to plastic pots.

Session 2:   Tuesday, May 12th.  Outdoors.  (Rain date:  Thursday, 14th.)

Fertilization and soil preparation strategies.

Benefits of mulching, and what materials to use.

Setting up an irrigation system.

Techniques of transplanting and direct seeding.

Insect protection.

Tools.

Session 3:   Tuesday, June 16th.  Outdoors.   (Rain date:  Thursday 18th)

Demonstration of three different composting methods.

Several approaches to trellising tall crops.

Insect and disease control, what to watch for, products to use.

Weed control strategies and tools.

Session 4:   Tuesday, July 21st  Outdoors.   (Rain date:  Thursday 23rd)

Tour of the established garden.

Open discussion on techniques and strategies.

Extended Q&A to address participant-specific gardening challenges and interests.

Session 5:  Tuesday, September 1.  Outdoors.  (Rain date: Thursday 3rd)

Tour of garden as it enters fall. Late season crops maturing. Cover crops being established. Strategies to deal with late season diseases and insects.