Learning Something New

Winter.  It is too early to start seeds. It is cold here with snow on the ground so garden work is out of the question.  So what better time to learn something new about gardening.. a new planting technique, new plants, soil amendments. weeds. pollinators, raised gardens, fertilizers, organic gardening techniques... all sorts of topics covered in all sorts of ways.

Following are just a few sources to get new information on gardening.

Garden Workshops

​Covid has put a cabash to the in-person garden workshops.  But that doesn't mean they aren't happening.  Many organizations are going online.  As a Facebook user I have new workshops from all over the Midwest and the nation popping up on my Facebook page all the time .

The 2021 Wisconsin Garden & Landscape Expo is scheduled for February 20 and 21 online.   The number of workshops has been greatly reduced because of the online format.  Interested gardeners may get more information at https://wigardenexpo.com

Grant County Master Gardeners is offering a series of speakers on various gardening topics.  Interested people may get more information at
http://grantcountymastergardeners.weebly.com/speaker-series-for-2021.html

​The first ever 2021 Virtual Wisconsin Community Garden Conference is scheduled for February 12 and 13.  It has two strings...one for gardeners and one for community leaders.  There is a small fee for this program.  Interested people may get more information at https://danegardens.net/conference

Some of these programs are free.  Some require a small registration fee.

As new workshops come across my Facebook page, I post them to the our Gardens Facebook page.

​BOOKS
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There are many books available on all sorts of gardening topics.

Of course a great place to look for books is your local library which has a great collection of gardening books on various topics of interest.  I use my local library to preview books before purchasing. 

One of my favorites is the Creative Vegetable Gardener's Smart Start Garden Planner.  Not only is it pretty to look at but it is an easy read and full of wonderful charts about veggies and garden planning documents.  The author, Megan Cain, lives in Madison so all the information is very accurate for our Midwest growing area.  It can be ordered directly on Cain's website and it is available on loan through our local South Central Library System.   Below are page shots of Megan's book.

Online Resources
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There are so many resources available online.  A Google search for free online gardening resources will provide a list or resources and workshops from nurseries, garden organizations, and YouTube resources.  Be sure that the learning opportunity is from a reliable organization or source.
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Facebook user?  Gardening tips, workshops, and information is shared daily on the River Valley Area Community Gardens Facebook page.  Like the page and get the latest updates.  

Melinda Meyer, Megan Cain and P. Allen Smith as well as Jungs Seeds, Burpee Seeds, Botanical Interests, Bruce Company, Proven Winners and many other suppliers and noted gardeners have Facebook pages, web sites and YouTube channels that provide gardening tips.

Television

Your local PBS station is a great place to check for gardening programs.  Here in the Madison area WHADH airs University Place at numerous times during the day.  University Place often rebroadcasts Wisconsin Garden & Landscaping Expo workshops and other programs from the University of Wisconsin on gardening topics.  The broadcast schedule is listed on the University Place web site where the programs may also be watched directly.

HGTV along with other channels may carry other gardening programs.  Check your local TV listings.

Associations
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There are a number of organizations focused on gardening that provide resources related to gardening topics. A few of those are listed below

The National Gardening Association
The American Horticultural Society
The American Community Garden Association
​University of Wisconsin Extension, Department of Horticulture
and many others

Kids Gardening Resources

Our kids are our future gardeners.  KidsGardening is a source of activities, lesson plans and resources to help parents, teachers, leaders and others working with students.

​​I hope you take some time to explore one or more of these resources to learn something new about gardening.