Designed for those starting or caring for a vegetable garden, this Berkshire Botanical Garden course will include discussion of soil and nutrient management, seed selection, crop rotation schemes, seeding and planting, pest management and specific plant cultivation, all in the context of the different vegetable groups. Once each week starting Thursday, February 28 through Thursday, March 21, students will investigate a different vegetable family to insure all questions are answered about cultivation of these important food groups.

Feb 28

Fabaceae (peas/beans/other legumes)

Greens (lettuce/mustards/arugula/mache and more)

Herbs (perennial and annual)

March 7

Assorted Perennial Vegetables (asparagus/rhubarb/horseradish)

Chenopodiaceae (beet/chard family)

Brassicaceae (cabbage/cauliflower/kale/brussels sprout family)

March 14

Cucurbitaceae (squash/pumpkin/cucumber/melon family)

Poeaceae (corn family)

March 21

Allioideae (onion/garlic/leek/shallot family)

Solanaceae (tomato/potato/eggplant/pepper family)

Peter and Jennifer Salinetti (below) own Woven Roots Farm, a small family farm and CSA that grows vegetables and culinary herbs using traditional farming practices. For over ten years they have grown local produce for Berkshire County families. Their vegetables are grown using environmentally sustainable gardening practices, and they produce amazingly top-quality, delicious produce. Both Jen and Peter are committed to raising awareness about the importance of the local food supply, along with teaching technical information on how to do so. They have lectured on growing food for both NOFA and other regional organizations.  $65 for BBG members, $75 for nonmembers, or $25 for an individual class.  Register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org.