Instructors: Phipps Conservatory Staff

Tues.: Mar. 28, Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25 | 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Full Series: $95 members | $110 non-members

Presented as Live Webinar through Zoom

In this virtual gardening series, learn all the basics for starting your backyard garden, from planting seeds to harvesting fruit and everything in between. Learn the steps necessary to start growing your food from home. Taught by our expert Phipps staff, this series will have you prepped and confident to get your hands in the soil come spring. 

Mar. 28: Indoor Seed Starting | Gabe Tilove 

Starting your transplants indoors gives you a head start when warm weather hits and allows you greater control over the variety and quality of your plants. Learn the steps and equipment to start and care for annual vegetable seedlings successfully. Plus, discuss heirloom and hybrid seed qualities and how to troubleshoot common seedling problems.

Apr. 4: Spring Vegetable Gardening | Allison Glick

Don’t wait until Mother’s Day to plant your garden – use the spring season and plant early, cold-weather crops that can give you an early start or extra harvest in your garden this season. Explore the best crops for earlier planting and discuss cold-weather crop protection strategies. 

Apr. 11: Build and Maintain a Raised Bed Garden | Gabe Tilove 

Raised beds offer several advantages over typical in-ground garden beds – improved drainage, greater control over soil and fertility, and easier weed and critter control. Explore the range of materials you can use to build raised beds and the best practices for filling and maintaining them. This presentation will also briefly cover trellising, season extension, and fencing options. 

Apr. 18: Organic Vegetable Garden Basics | Gabe Tilove and Allison Glick 

Learn the essentials of planning and caring for a vegetable garden using organic methods: how to arrange your crops within your space using the square foot gardening method, when and how to plant seeds and seedlings, how to water, how to minimize weeds, and how to manage pests and disease. A step-by-step worksheet for creating your plan will be included.

Apr. 25: Easy to Grow Backyard Fruit | Juliette Olshock

Fruits are one of the most satisfying crops you can grow at home! Learn the differences between types of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries and how to purchase, plant, and maintain them. An overview of other less common fruits will also be included.