 
CHS Educational Program: SOLD OUT Vegetables 101, SOLD OUT Â call 860-529-8713
It’s Time to Learn How to Grow Your Own Vegetables
Okay, I may be a Master Gardener, a member of CHS, a supposed expert… and yet every year I can’t wait until John T., my coworker, brings in his extra zucchini, and Bill B. brings in his heirloom tomatoes. Bill tells me about the fresh pesto his wife made, then proceeds to heat up the leftovers in the microwave, delicious smells wafting all the way to my grey cubicle. My father’s 40+ year old blueberry bushes are heavy with fruit year after year. I find myself distracted all day at work until I find the time to get up there to “help” him harvest that fruit. What is wrong with my garden? What happens if John T. gets a different job and Bill B. retires (he did), and my sisters get up to Dad’s before I do?
The truth is that even though my father and my grandfather produced very successful vegetable gardens (up to ½ an acre or more), I don’t have their inherited or learned skills in being successful in the vegetable garden. I think I need to step up my one raised bed that has put out a fair crop of tomatoes (well, one year), a few beets, and some herbs. Personally, I need to stop depending on my friends and maybe my trusted local farm stands for the seasonal vegetables that will grace my table.
That’s my reason to go to “Vegetables 101.” What’s yours? Maybe you crave variety, especially if your CSA has an avalanche of beet greens every week and not a tomato in sight.
Or possibly you don’t understand what you can do with your available pot, plot, or acre. Perhaps you are wanting to enjoy the freshness and variety while spending less. There is also a big movement in recent years of people who want to be more self-sustaining, eating local and reducing their environmental impact. There are so many reasons for wanting to learn the art and science of growing vegetables.
This is just what the Connecticut Horticultural Society is all about. Our mission states that we want to be an “educational organization dedicated to encouraging and improving the practice of gardening.” So, in keeping with our mission, and looking forward to the promise of the coming growing season, the CHS Education Committee is offering Vegetables 101.
The course, which will be focused on organic and sustainable gardening methods, will be held over four successive Saturday sessions at our CHS office. Barry Avery, a certified UConn Master Gardener, has taught classes on this topic for the State of Connecticut. On top of all this, he is also serving as Vice President on the CHS Board of Directors. Barry will lead the participants through a series of progressive sessions from explaining why we grow vegetables, planning your garden, preparing the soil, preventing weeds, pests and disease, what the plants need to grow, and of course, planting demonstrations.
Attend 1 0r all four classes: $20 members $30 non-members. Class size is limited to 20. ~ Diane Erling
So, whether you want a refresher or are starting from the ground up, do not miss out on this upcoming educational opportunity.
Location:Â CHS Office, Rocky Hill, CT
Sat., Jan. 17Â Â Â Â Â Â 10:00 am – noon
Sat., Jan. 24Â Â Â Â Â Â 10:00 am – noon
Sat., Jan. 31Â Â Â Â Â Â 10:00 am – noon
Sat., Feb. 7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10:00 am – noon
If inclement weather cancels one of the classes, we will hold a make-up session on Saturday, February 14th.
CHS Members: $20Â for the course.
Non-members:Â $30 for the course.
Please  sign up through the CHS Office at: 860-529-8713 or Connecticut Horticultural Society, 2433 Main Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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