Growing classes resume next month

The average carrot travels over 1,800 miles to get to our dinner plate. Processing and shipment of food accounts for 93 percent of our food cost.

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is offering eight new “Grow Your Own!” classes to help Nevadans who want to get on a path to more sustainable, local, healthy living by growing more of their own food.

April 3 through May 22, the Cooperative Extension office in Fallon, will once again offer the “Grow Your Own!” series, providing gardeners and health buffs in the State with a “back-to-the-basics” guide to great harvests in Nevada. The workshops will be held Wednesdays, 6–8 p.m., and topics include the following:

April 3: Seeds vs. starts: planning and planting your garden

April 10: Insects and other garden pests

April 17: Efficient irrigation for the home vegetable garden

April 24: Gardening in Nevada’s soils: A hero’s journey

May 1: Nutrients and fertilizers for your vegetables

May 8: Edible herbs and flowers

May 15: Berries and brambles

May 22: Selecting fruit tree varieties

“Anyone can become a better gardener by attending these classes,” said Horticulture Specialist Heidi Kratsch. “From the beginner to the advanced gardener, everyone can benefit from a Grow Your Own class.”

Extension experts will touch on garden planning, controlling pests, best practices for growing herbs and vegetables, and the best fruit varieties for Nevada.

“Gardening in Nevada is a challenge,” Kratsch said. “But you can learn to deal with our harsh climate and poor soils by building on the success of others. Grow Your Own educators are experienced gardeners and are excited to share what they know with the community.”

To register for any or all of the upcoming “Grow Your Own!” classes, contact Pat at the Churchill County Extension at 775-423-5121 to register.