Gardening interest swells as winter wanes

The sixth annual Spring Gardening Seminar is a great way for a gardener to spend a cold Saturday in February. This event is open to the public and is held at Lincoln University's Carver Farm in Jefferson City. The seminar runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 27. Registration forms may be retrieved online at extension.missouri.edu/cole or by calling 573-634-2824 during business hours Monday through Friday. Forms may also be picked up at Jefferson City nurseries and florists.

The garden seminar hosts 20 classes, and registrants may choose five, although some classes have filled. The registration deadline is Feb. 20, so don't delay if you are interested.

Lunch is included in the $30 registration fee, with "project" classes having an additional fee. Class presentations still available are Landscape Tree Pruning, Spring Vegetable Growing, Frugal Gardening, Tomatoes & Peppers, Garden Pollinators, Straw Bale Gardening, Turf and Garden Pests (moles), Starting Your Own Bonsai and Growing Fruits (peaches, apples and grapes). Project classes still open are Building a Bird Feeder/Making Bird Food, Candles and Creating Garden Note Cards.

All in all, it's a fun day to spend with Mid-Missouri gardeners. Our knowledgeable speakers share lots of gardening information and make time in each class to answer questions. Attendees leave with plans (and hopes) for a successful growing season.

Starting in March, the Cole County Extension Center is excited to offer an established class series at a new time and pace. For the first time, for six weeks in March through April, interested gardeners will have a chance to take the spring Master Gardener Program. This program is typically offered in Jefferson City on Monday nights over 12 weeks.

What a great opportunity for anyone who has mornings available, works at nights or evenings, is retired, or is a stay-at-home parent with school-age children. Many of these interested gardeners have missed out previously due to the evening schedule. And why not knock out this awesome program in just six weeks in the spring? This will give gardeners a chance to play in the dirt before the growing season takes off and before the Central Missouri Master Gardeners plant sale in early May. The cost of the class series is $135.

To find out more about the spring Master Gardener Program or any Cole County Extension program, email Jane Kempker at [email protected] and ask about being added to the monthly marketing email list. You can also reach Jane at 573-634-2824.