Information: www.ugaextension.com/gwinnett.
This is the first column I’ve written that I hope my husband only skims, or misses entirely. You see, for the better part of our marriage he’s seen me spend big chunks of my days outside this time of year planting flowers, shrubs, tomatoes and cucumbers. Each spring I’ll make my way to the local nurseries and fall in love with every blossom and fragrant scent.
But if the truth be known, I’ve probably wasted more time and money simply by learning the hard way what “not” to plant.
I’ve learned to avoid those late March/early April freezes by following the old Southern saying “Don’t plant until after tax day.” Little by little I’ve learned which plants survive the full sun of a hot summer day, and which prefer to hide in the shade of my backyard.
I’ve even finally stopped planting delicious meals for the deer and rabbits that run freely through my yard.
For part-time gardeners like myself, as well as the more experienced, the Gwinnett County Cooperative Extension Service offers free advice to help save you money and avoid the kind of mistakes I’ve made along the way.
The Gwinnett Extension Service operates as part of the University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture and College of Family and Consumer Services, and is part of the educational division of the county’s Department of Community Services.
The Extension Service offers free Lunch and Learn classes on topics ranging from ornamental and vegetable gardening to turf maintenance. You can learn which vegetables to plant when, how to control pests in the garden, ways to handle drainage issues in your lawn, how to compost and much, much more. Many classes are conducted at the Extension Service office in Lawrenceville, while others are held throughout the county in conjunction with local community gardens.
The Extension Service also offers a three-month Master Gardner training program each year. For a small fee you can become a Master Gardener and learn more about horticulture principles and environmental practices. Master Gardeners, who are required to provide 25 hours of volunteer service each year, are available to speak at local community organizations and homeowners associations. One can even be available to come to your home to provide advice as you develop a gardening plan.
Soil testing is another service offered at low cost through the Extension Service. Soil samples may be brought to the Cooperative Extension office in a plastic or paper bag and in less than two weeks you’ll know the nutrients your soil is lacking.
I’ll admit my garden reflects the many hours spent digging in the dirt, but I can only imagine how much better it would look had I been taking advantage of these resources all along. I know my bank account would thank me too.
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