Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) is once again offering a 16-week, online educational program for the public on gardening, beginning Feb. 9 and running through May 25.
The cost to enroll is $250 per person. The program is open to anyone interested in gardening, an activity that provides moderate exercise, stress relief and healthy food and beautiful landscapes for persons who engage in taking on the task of planting a seed.
What can this series do for you? Is gardening something you love? Have you ever gardened? Do you feel you would like to learn more about gardening on a beginner level and progress to learn more about technical aspects of soil, plant care and pest control in gardens?
Topics will include botany, soils, entomology, plant pathology, pruning, lawn care, vegetables, small fruits, tree fruits, ornamental plants and composting.
Participants will have the convenience of learning all of these topics wherever they are, whether on a home computer, a tablet or smartphone. The series was created to make learning about gardening more accessible to everyone and especially to those who find it difficult to meet during the day and at in-person classes.
At any age one can garden. Whether it be in a yard, on a terrace, or in a raised bed or planting bench gardens come in all shapes and sizes. There has been a resurgence in gardening – possibly due to the pandemic slowing life down a bit and more people working at home. Vegetable and fruit gardening also adds a sense of food security for some and can promote healthy eating habits, especially for children.
“When children are involved in vegetable gardening and pick something they helped grow, they are more willing to try new foods like tomatoes or peppers,” says Michelle Infante-Casella, RCE agricultural agent, who specializes in vegetable crops.
“Over the past few years, the option of this online gardening series has been a popular choice for people who work during the day and for those who cannot travel to an in-person class,” says Stephen Komar, RCE agricultural agent, who developed the program.
“It gives people the opportunity to network with plant scientists and others interested in gardening. The course also provides a tremendous amount of science-based resources about growing plants and maintaining landscapes.”
The 16 online classes also include additional webinar content and resources for in-home study. Classes will be recorded for later viewing for students to review what was taught or in the event students have a conflict and need to miss a live session.
The program will be hosted by multiple RCE offices across the state. Sessions are taught by Rutgers faculty and staff in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and other Rutgers units.
To find out more and to register, visit https://go.rutgers.edu/hbl1nnbk. For more information, contact your local Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office.
