Boston Flora

Tag: New England Vegetable Management Guide

  • Tuesdays, October 29 – November 19, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern – Soil and Soil Amendments, Online

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden online course on Soil and Soil Amendments 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. This course meets for 4 weeks on Tuesdays, October 29 – November 19, 5:30 – 8:30 pm Eastern.

    Taught by Monique Bosch, trained in landscape design, horticulture and soil biology, who is a community leader focused on healthy soil/healthy food. In the last 15 years she has worked with volunteers and students to build over 40 edible school and community gardens, and a two-acre urban farm in Bridgeport CT. These days she works as a Soil Health Program Manager for CT NOFA, and runs a worm composting business with her son Justin. She also teaches Soil Management for Brooklyn Botanic Garden. In 2023 Monique worked with staff and students at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, to launch a Food and Resilience center. She studied ‘The Soil Food Web’ under Dr. Elaine Ingham, and teaches microscopy, soil health and composting to farmers and organizations. Through microscopy and test trials, Monique explores the relationship between living soil and healthy, nutritious food.

    BBG Members: $215, Non-Members: $240. Register online at www.berkshirebotanical.org

  • 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