Sally Scalera

Brevard County Horticulture Extension Agent
3695 Lake Drive -- Cocoa FL 32926 -- 321-633-1702

Vegetable class set for Fall

April 10, 2010

I have been teaching vegetable gardening classes for many years at various libraries throughout the county but something new has been planned. For all of you avid or beginner vegetable gardeners out there, this new class may be just the thing you are looking for. We are planning to hold a hands-on, grow your own produce, vegetable gardening class called Eat Healthy, Grow Your Own: Vegetable Gardening in Florida.

This class will last for 12-weeks and everyone will be assigned a 25 x 20 foot plot of land to grow their own vegetables. All of the vegetables that you grow will be yours to keep! Each class will begin in the classroom where we will teach the basics of soils, plant growth, plant selection, organic vegetable gardening, pest management, fertilization and much more. The two hour classroom session will be followed by hands-on activities out in the garden where you will practice the techniques learned in class.

The topics that will be covered include: Introduction and plant selection, bed preparation and planting, fertility and nutrients, irrigation, maintenance and equipment, pest management and pesticide safety, pest identification, sustainable organic techniques, harvesting techniques, healthy eating and cooking, and ending with preserving fresh vegetables. The classes will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. here at the Brevard County UF/IFAS Extension. This class will be taught by four instructors (not necessarily in each class) which will include; Jim Fletcher, our Director; Linda Seals, Commercial Horticulture Agent; Beth Shephard, Food and Nutrition Agent; and I. At this time, the general outlines for the classes are as follows.

The first and second week of class will consist of going over the syllabus, reviewing the vegetable varieties that are suitable for Central Florida, cultural requirements for the most common vegetables and alternative vegetables, herbs and fruits that can be grown.

Some of the topics to be covered during the third week include soil properties, organic amendments, soil testing, pH, composting, introduction to hydroponics and proper planting techniques of transplants and seeds.

Week four will cover fertilizer basics, reading the fertilizer label, requirements for the vegetable garden and common nutrient deficiencies and symptoms.

The fifth week will concentrate on the different types of irrigation, maintenance of irrigation systems, water needs of vegetables, salinity, water testing, and rain barrels.

In the sixth week we will go over common maintenance tasks like trellising and staking plants, equipment needs, sharpening tools, disinfecting tools, etc.

Week seven will cover Integrated Pest Management principles, how to use pesticides safely, and pesticides labeled for home vegetable gardens.

The eighth week will consist of an entire class on pest identification of common insects and diseases in the vegetable garden, common weeds, types of weeds, weed management and a review of nutritional deficiencies.

Week nine will concentrate on sustainable organic gardening techniques like cover crops, mulches, beneficial insects, home remedies, banker plants, crop rotation, solarization, etc.

The tenth week will be a little different because instead of concentrating on how to grow vegetables the focus will now turn to the fresh produce itself. Items covered in this class will include how to harvest your vegetables, nutritional values of fresh vegetables, and cooking and storing fresh vegetables.

Week eleven will be entirely on how to can and freeze your fresh produce!

The Eat Healthy, Grow Your Own: Vegetable Gardening in Florida class will be held every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. for 12 weeks starting on October 23th and running through January 29th. The class will cost $135 per student and for two or more people working the same plot add $50 per additional person.

This includes learning materials, seeds, plants and more! The class is open to the first 25 people to register and pay. To register, go to our website at http://brevard.ifas.ufl.edu/ and click on Class Registration at the bottom of the left-hand column or call us at 633-1702. The registration deadline is September 27th, 2010. Make checks or money orders payable to Brevard County Extension and send it in with your registration form to Vegetable Garden Class, Brevard County Extension, 1455 Treeland Blvd, Palm Bay, FL 32909. You can also pay by cash at our office at 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, 32926 or Palm Bay. This should be a fun, informative and delicious class!