NEWBERRY — Part two of a gardening series hosted by the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District will be held June 25 and will cover the irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides and organic gardening processes in traditional gardening, raised beds and greenhouses.
“This class is a continuation from our first class, which was held in March. All classes are free for NSWCD members or $10 per series for non-members,” said Danielle Rowe, district coordinator for NSWCD.
Rowe said the first class in the series, which taught participants how to build raised beds, green houses and traditional gardens, went well. The first class had 22 participants, all of whom were interested in all three types of gardening.
“For the second series we are moving to Chappells Nursery, in Newberry. The owner wanted to help with the series and he does a lot of organic process out there,” Rowe said. ” He is going to show real life how to, rather than a power point.”
Most of the participants that took part in the class in March have already begun gardening. This class will teach them how to keep their gardens up, and keep their produce healthy. The process for fertilizers, irrigation, pesticides and organic gardening is different for each type of garden, and the class will cover each process.
The first lesson will be proper irrigation for each type of gardening. Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes and re-vegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.
The class will show different types of fertilizers, which gives plants proper nutrients, which will allow the participants to decide which is best for them. The use of Pesticides, a way to destroy pests, will also be shown.
Organic gardening will be shown as an alternative to using pesticides and chemical fertilizers. This will allow for each participant to learn all their options and pick the best one for them.
“This is kind of the gut of gardening. This is what will determine what the quality the produce will be at the end of the season, because of how well they maintain he garden,” Rowe said. “With gardening, you have to have daily care. You cannot just water and hope they grow.”
A special treat will also be given to anyone who attends this class. Tomato sandwiches will be offered to everyone, and both the tomatoes and the lettuce being used will the homegrown.
This class will be at 7 p.m. June 25, anyone wanting to attend the class must RSVP with Rowe. If interested in participating in this gardening class, contact Rowe at 803-276-1978 ext. 101.