The Growing Gardeners classes are a series of gardening programs created and conducted by the Scott County Cooperative Extension Horticulture Program. For the year 2018-2019, of the many the series’ classes offered, a group of them specifically addressed the inexperienced gardener’s needs.

The classes focused on starting seeds, easy to grown seeds and plants, planting seeds or transplants, alternative gardening techniques, proper garden placement, growing materials and containers, soil nutrient levels, sun exposure, and how to prevent pests and diseases. At the end of each class, attendees were given seeds, plants, bulbs or tools and equipment helpful to create their own gardens. One participant attended just about every class offered this year and admittedly described herself as “killing everything she tried to grow.” She always had a horror story about a gardening misadventure to share with the class However, at the last of the series of classes, she stated that she “loved the classes because I found out everything I had been doing wrong” . . . (and) enjoyed learned about proper technique, tools and plants that when she tried them, were making her “feel confident and successful” in her home gardening.