Boston Flora

Tag: John Howell

  • Tuesdays, November 1 – November 22, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Understanding Soil Health and Structure

    Taught by John Howell, this four-session Berkshire Botanical Garden course will explain how plant growth is affected by soils, from drainage to pH and nutrients. Learn how to evaluate soils, improve those that are less than ideal and amend soils for specific garden uses. Fertilizers, soil amendments, making and using compost, moisture management and the pros and cons of mulching will be covered. Students need to get a soil sample before class and bring the results to the first class. The dates are Tuesdays, November 1 – 22, from 5:30 – 8:30. $185 for BBG members, $210 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/understanding-soil-health-and-structure-0

    We recommend all students take and submit a routine soil analysis for home grounds and gardening to UMass Amherst. Request an additional soil organic matter test. Please do so as soon as possible. Further information can be found here and here and order forms can be found here. Please have a copy of your results sent to howell@umass.edu. 

    John Howell MS is the former Extension Vegetable Specialist for the University of Massachusetts and currently lectures on vegetables, fruits and soil management. Author of numerous newsletters for growers, he is currently the editor for New England Vegetable Management Guide, published biennially by the University of Massachusetts.

  • Thursday, November 19, 7:00 pm – Berry Basics

    John Howell, former horticulturist at UMass Extension, will speak to the North Quabbin Garden Club on Thursday, November 19 at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol, on the basics of growing strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.  Free, and the public is invited to attend.

  • Mondays, March 12 – April 2, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Organic Vegetable Gardening

    Designed for those starting or caring for a vegetable garden, get all your questions answered in this Berkshire Botanical Garden practical class on growing food, to be held Monday evenings from March 12 – April 12, from 6 – 9. This course will include site selection, soil and nutrient management, seed selection, design, crop rotation schemes, seeding and planting, pest management, and specific plant cultivation. These topics will be discussed with an emphasis on building a healthy soil and careful management of moisture requirements. Each week students will investigate a different vegetable family (Melon family, Tomato family, Beet family, Cabbage Family, Legume family and the Greens family) to insure all questions are answered about cultivation of these important food groups.

    John Howell is the former Extension Vegetable Specialist, for the University of Massachusetts and currently lectures on vegetables, fruits and soil management Author of numerous newsletters for growers and is currently the editor for New England Vegetable Management Guide, published biennially by the University of Massachusetts. Course fee $185, and you may register on-line at www.berkshirebotanical.org.

    2012-2013 New England Vegetable Management Guide