Back To Basics: Seed Starting On February 27U of I Extension News – February 17, 2016

Back To Basics:

Seed Starting On February 27

With spring just around the corner, gardeners are beginning to think about the upcoming summer season. Seed catalogues that have been delivered to the door are being opened, decisions are being made on what flowers and/or vegetables are going to be planted in the garden, and orders are being sent. This is also a time to decide whether the varieties you are choosing should initially be started as transplants, or directly seeded into the garden at a later date. For some varieties, starting the seeds a few weeks before being planted outdoors can make a big difference on getting an early yield.

Laurie George, Extension Educator, University of Illinois Extension, will be presenting “Seed Starting” on February 27, 2016 starting at 1:00pm. This will be the first of six Back to Basics workshops offered this spring. Topics of discussion will cover dormancy types and remedies, seed germination, planting trays and soil media, fertilization, importance of temperature, cold frames versus hot houses, and disease and pest management.

The program is free and is open to the public. Registration is required by February 25, 2016, and can be completed at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/bcjmw/index.html, or by calling your local Extension Office. We hope to see you there, and bring a friend!

Putting Small Acres To Work In Greenville March 12

“Putting a few extra acres to work can bring in additional income, provide an opportunity to experiment with a new enterprise, or develop an interest or hobby for its educational or entertainment value,” said University of Illinois Extension local foods and small farms educator Laurie George. “How to get started is the question,” she added. University of Illinois Extension is sponsoring a workshop on Putting Small Acres to Work on March 12.

The program is being
offered at Greenville College – in the Krober Room, in Greenville Illinois. It will have two separate tracks. One for fruit and vegetable
production which will
include the topics; Soil
improvement, equipment for small fruit production,
social medial for small farms,
integrated vegetable production, tips for small farm startup- a growers talk.

The second track will be on livestock and cover the topics; Pasture establishment and management, goats/sheep, composting livestock manure, is poultry for you, tips for small farm start-up – a growers talk.

Cost for this program will be $30.00 per person and will include lunch and handouts. Pre-registration is required by March 7, 2016 and can be completed at: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=13985 or by
calling the Jefferson County
Extension Office at 618-
242-0780.