Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Each region of the world publishes a resource for determining frost dates. In the United States, it is
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zone map. For an interactive version of
the USDA hardiness zone map, go to http://usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html . Plant hardiness
data for Canada can be found at planthardiness.gc.ca/ . Or visit atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/en-
vironment/forest/forestcanada/planthardi . For Europe, go to gardenweb.com/zones/europe/ or
uk.gardenweb.com/forums/zones/hze.html . For hardiness ratings for the UK with USDA equivalents,
visit rhs.org.uk/Plants/Plant-trials-and-awards/pdf/2012_RHS-Hardiness-Rating .
Teaching Basic Garden Skills
Developing a very basic instructional program—enough to get new gardeners settled at the start of the
season without overwhelming them with too much information—is the best approach. I can't stress
how important this is! Beginners can be easily discouraged, so it is good to dispense information as
needed and in a variety of ways to make the learning relevant and powerful. You'll be able to tailor the
educational offerings as the garden grows and as teaching resources become available; needs change
throughout the season, and skills become relevant as the garden season unfolds. The garden is a living
classroom.
What follows is a suggestion for a simple set of skills-building workshops or instructional sessions
for your gardeners, based on the seasons—from planning, through planting, maintenance, harvest, and
season wrap-up. This basic approach is a good start for new gardeners: winter planning will teach skills
required to get your participants thinking logically about their garden's design; hands-on spring work-
shops will get gardeners in and settled; summer skills can be provided as learning opportunities present
themselves naturally as the season progresses; and fall sessions can focus on winding down the active
phase of growing food.
WINTER—PLANNING THE GARDEN
To keep the garden community active year-round, we encourage gardeners to acquire skills early and to
use the cold winter months for planning. This is particularly beneficial for brand-new gardeners.
We suggest that gardeners use a free, simple online garden planning tool; these can be found at many
gardening websites. These nifty aids allow gardeners to not only plan their garden with a simple user
interface, they usually provides planting advice customized to the garden that's just been planned. Typ-
ically, multiple garden designs can be saved so new gardeners have lots of opportunities to dream and
design. This self-directed learning experience is a great way for new gardeners to become comfortable
with the garden design and crop selection processes. And, since it is a self-paced exercise, people can
do it when it is most convenient to have computer access; not all of your gardeners are going to have
computers or be computer-savvy, but many will. Encourage those with the know-how to reach out to
others who might need a little computer assistance.
Winter Education Topics
Working with the Sun
Making the Most of Small Spaces
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