KINGSTON, R.I. – June 23, 2009 – The University of Rhode Island’s annual Summer Gardening School moves to the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center in Providence for the first time to engage beginning gardeners in activities designed to increase their knowledge about growing perennials and vegetables.
The informal series of four sessions will be held on Monday evenings, July 20 and 27 and August 3 and 17. All sessions will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“This year we are focusing especially on providing assistance to relatively new gardeners who are looking for tips to growing some of the most popular perennials and vegetables, including tomatoes, squash, and fall blooming bulbs,” explained Rosanne Sherry, coordinator of the URI Master Gardener program. “These are very informal sessions, and we encourage participants to bring a lawn chair so they can be comfortable anywhere in the outdoor workshop setting.”
The workshop schedule is as follows:
July 20 – Oh, Grow Up! – learning about annual and perennial vines, especially clematis;
July 27 – Let’s Get Squashed! – tricks and tips for growing squash and cucumbers;
August 3 – Secrets to Growing the Love Apple – how to grow the best tomatoes ever; and
August 17 – Be a Late Bloomer – extending the blooming season in the perennial garden.
The sessions will be taught by Sherry and Jo-Ann Bouley, URI’s gardening education program coordinator at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center.
The fee is $20 for each session. Participants may register for as many sessions as they wish. It is not necessary to attend all four sessions. No university academic credits are earned through this series.
For more information or to register for these events, call 401-874-2900. To download a registration form, visit www.uri.edu/cels/ceoc and click on the Summer Gardening School link.