The non-commercial Boone County Horticulture Advisory Council requested we continue our programs of teaching classes on specific vegetable and fruit crops and provide attendees cultivars of plants discussed in class. The council recommended we cover onions, strawberries, and blueberries for spring 2020.  A fee was charged for each class to cover the wholesale cost of plants and materials.

The reason for selecting these 3 crops was people continually plant the wrong type of onion for Kentucky and never harvest large storage onions. Strawberries and Blueberries were selected because clientele were not aware of the best cultivars and growing techniques to guarantee quality harvests.

Onions form bulbs depending on day length. Kentucky is considered a day neutral state so selecting day neutral onion plants insures large quality onions. Day neutral onion plants were purchased wholesale from a plants farm in Texas. 79 people signed up for the day and evening class.

Strawberries continue to be the favorite fruit plant of home gardeners. New production techniques as well as new cultivars are making it possible for people to pick garden strawberries for several months of the growing season. Strawberries selected for this class included an early, mid season, and late cultivars as well as a proven everbearer. . Each participant received 25 plants of each cultivar. 76 people signed up for this class.

Blueberries are a nutrition packed fruit plant that if planted correctly will provide yearly harvests for decades. Unfortunately most growers are not aware of the steps to take at planting for success. Without thorough soil preparation and lowering the soil PH with sulfur blueberries will not live. Along with 3 blueberry plants of different harvest times each participant received 5 lbs. of sulfur to apply to their soil. Complete planting and care instructions were provided with the plants and sulfur. This will greatly enhance the growers chances. 82 people took this class.

All 3 of these classes were planned to have a 2 hour classroom instruction and an outdoor planting demonstration. Due to  COVID 19 Meeting with participants was impossible. Thorough instructions were developed for each class along with class power point presentations. Each of these were given to all participants. Plants were packaged for each person individually with handouts and assembled in our outer lobby. People were called and asked to stop by the office and pick up their packages. They were instructed to call us when they got to the parking lot and we would take their packages to them. At this time we offered to answer any questions and provided our e-mail and phone numbers for any later questions. 36 e-mails and phone calls were received. Every contacted person in these classes was positive about our efforts and were thankful to be gardening. We received a number of requests for help while clientele were installing their plants. They appreciated our being available by phone or e-mail on weekends and evenings. Having records of all people taking part will allow us to monitor their success. We know they took part to not only learn but to put their knowledge into action.