Master Gardener week II
Week two is in the books and it was a really good one! Wednesday we talked about nutrients and I have to say I was curious at the beginning of the class if it was going to be all 100% NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) and chemical fertilizers. Although the majority of the class dealt with the nutrients NPK (as well as the other Macro and some Micro-nutrients.) it didn't particularly focus solely on artificial fertilizers. In fact the teacher made it a point many times to point out the organic options and how the same nutrients could be provided through compost and other amendments.
It was really heartening to hear all the questions about composting; how to do it, what it looks/smells like, what goes into it? There really seems to be an awareness that there are other alternatives out there to the petro-chemical based fertilizers.
Friday we covered woody plants. Basically trees and shrubs for the most part. This was the instructors admitted favorite class and it showed. He was very very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of great information. We covered pruning techniques and why to do it that way. We learned about a lot of the habits of trees and why so many of the problems that they get come about. Anyone know the difference between a "sucker" and a "water sprout"? I do, and they aren't the same thing like I thought they were!
Next week is the class that I'm really looking forward to, plant propagation. We're meeting at the Botanical center and learning to propagate different types of plants. The exciting thing for me is that with any luck, I may be able to start propagating some of the specific species of plants that I grow in the garden this year like tomatoes! I'm hoping to be able to carry some of them over through into winter with the greenhouse and who knows, maybe I can propagate a second generation from them for next year. Now I'm probably getting a little ahead of myself but heck, a guy can dream right?
Hope you all have a great weekend. The weather's supposed to be nice here for the most part so maybe I can get some chores done.
Till Monday~
P~
It was really heartening to hear all the questions about composting; how to do it, what it looks/smells like, what goes into it? There really seems to be an awareness that there are other alternatives out there to the petro-chemical based fertilizers.
Friday we covered woody plants. Basically trees and shrubs for the most part. This was the instructors admitted favorite class and it showed. He was very very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of great information. We covered pruning techniques and why to do it that way. We learned about a lot of the habits of trees and why so many of the problems that they get come about. Anyone know the difference between a "sucker" and a "water sprout"? I do, and they aren't the same thing like I thought they were!
Next week is the class that I'm really looking forward to, plant propagation. We're meeting at the Botanical center and learning to propagate different types of plants. The exciting thing for me is that with any luck, I may be able to start propagating some of the specific species of plants that I grow in the garden this year like tomatoes! I'm hoping to be able to carry some of them over through into winter with the greenhouse and who knows, maybe I can propagate a second generation from them for next year. Now I'm probably getting a little ahead of myself but heck, a guy can dream right?
Hope you all have a great weekend. The weather's supposed to be nice here for the most part so maybe I can get some chores done.
Till Monday~
P~
Labels:
gardening,
Master Gardener
7 comments:
Interesting about the growing composting interest, I hope that the trend continues..... many times I get the sense that it is a "forgotten" part of the gardening process. Exciting about the plant prop coming up... is the class hands on, or more lecture based?
I really needs some guidance on composting. I started a pile last year and its just not cutting it. Maybe I can sneak into a MG class for that!
Chicago Mike
Composting was trendy in Sweden about ten years ago and still holds popularity among gardeners. After all it's a practical way of getting rid of garden waste.
Now when I'm reading up on fertilizers myself I'm fascinated by all the methods to get the old NPK to the plants; ashes, goldwater, comfrey, nightsoil and many more interesting methods. If I have strength this summer I'll try some of them in my allotments.
I have a gardening question for you. I live in Syracuse, also, and am just starting a garden this year. Is Syracuse in zone 7? If not, what zone is it in. Looks like we're right on the edge. Thanks.
Hi carat,
Glad to see you're still checking in from time to time. We're actually in a solid zone 5. There are some areas that are 4's like up in Cache valley and some that are higher like down south but where we are is a zone 5. Now, there will be microclimates in everyones yard that are higher or lower, but five is a good rule.
Good luck with the garden!
P~
check out www.kaarinivorouscrunch.blogspot.com, on her compost bin today.
BP, that's a great looking bin, I hope it works out well for them!
Thanks for sharing.
P~
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