Success StoryGardener’s Toolbox Educates the Public



Gardener’s Toolbox Educates the Public

Author: Amy Aldenderfer

Planning Unit: Hardin County CES

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The Gardener's Toolbox Series is a part of the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service’s horticulture classes to address a gardener's need for more information.

The classes vary in their length and subject matter. This year topics included: Beginning Vegetable Gardening, Tie Dyeing, How to Grow: Asparagus, Propagation, Butterfly Gardening, Pollinator Gardening, How to Grow: Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower, Starting Native Perennials from Seed, and New Plants for 2023.

At the end of class, all attendees receive a "starter pack” of seeds, plants, or bulbs of the discussed varieties to try them at home or other items that relate to the topic discussed. In the classes where an item is made, the participants take home their item(s) and the directions to make more.

In a compilation of five growing seasons-worth of data for the Beginning Vegetable Gardening class, most (83%) participants have started a vegetable garden (2023). Ninety-one (91%) percent of the attendees appreciate trying the new varieties that they receive at the end of each session. Participants are making decisions about the varieties grown based on the recommendations and information that Extension has provided.






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