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Cape May Court House – Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources is offering the 2024 workshop series, “Start Your Gardens: Everything you need to know about starting a vegetable garden: from planning & planting to harvesting.” This series consists of in-person and virtual workshops. In-person sessions are held at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County (RCE), 355 Courthouse – South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 and two online webinars. Classes are open to all skill levels.
Registration is now open for the second class in the series, “Seed Starting & Planting 101,” taking place on Wednesday, March 27th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at RCE of Cape May County. This session will cover seed starting, selecting seeds and supplies, how to care for their seedlings as well as when and how to plant and companion planting ideas. The cost to attend is $15 and includes seed starts to take home. To register for this class, go to: https://go.rutgers.edu/734hca8q.
The first class in the series focused on the basics. Participants learned about soil health, how to test their soil, garden planning, site selection, and preparation. The main instructor is Jen Sawyer Caraballo, Program Associate in Commercial Ag, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County. “This is a new series for us. Over the past 4 years we have seen a definite increase in the number of people reaching out to our office about growing vegetables at home. What better way to help budding gardeners than with a five-course series that helps them get set up for a successful growing season. I am presenting a few of the classes I’ve done in the past and added a few new ones to cover all the steps for planting a successful vegetable garden,” said Sawyer Caraballo.
Upcoming sessions include:
April 17, 2024, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Class 3, “Plant Care” is a virtual class. Now that their seedlings are out in the garden, participants will learn about watering, fertilizing, general plant care as well as common pests and diseases that may affect their gardens. The cost for this session is $5.
May 22, 2024, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Class 4 with Jen & Belinda Chester, Program Assoc. Atlantic County RCE, “Harvesting: Use & Storage” is a virtual class. Ever wonder when that tomato is ripe enough to pick or if the cucumber is big enough or what to do with all those zucchinis? This class will discuss when to harvest various common garden vegetables, as well as ways to use them and storing methods. The cost for this class is $5.
June 12, 2024, 6:00-7:300 p.m. Class 5: “Extending the Season” is in person at RCE. Now is a good time to start preparing for fall crops and crops that can be overwintered. In this class participants will learn how to use row covers & hoop houses, planting cold hardy crops that can be harvested late into fall as well as plants that will overwinter for a spring harvest. The cost for this class is $5.
For more information, please contact Jen Sawyer Caraballo, Rutgers ANR Program Associate at 609-465-5115, ext. 3615 or sawyer@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
