The season’s gardening classes are underway

CSU Extension office serves growing needs countywide

Media Contacts: Yvette Henson, CSU Extension Director, Yvette.henson@colostate.edu, 970-327-4393

Mary Watson maryw@sanmiguelcounty.org, 970-327-4393

(May 4, 2023) – San Miguel County, CO --- We’ve had the snow, now it’s time to grow. San Miguel County’s Colorado State University Extension Office is offering a spring and summer’s worth of gardening classes that will boost knowledge and set gardeners up for success, no matter where in the county they live.

Saturday, May 6, the series Gardening Through the Season, kicks off with “Planting Prep and Direct Seeding cool-season crops, takes place from 10 a.m. until noon, at the Norwood Community Garden. We will be learning as we direct seed some veggies in the garden!  

Each class is free for Norwood Community Garden members and $10 for non-members. OR non-members can get in free in exchange for 1 hour volunteer time in the garden.  

This class is followed by a Plant Sale in support of the Community Garden from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other hands-on classes at Norwood Community Garden will take place on Saturdays through the summer on June 3, July 8 and August 12.

Gardening at altitude is rife with challenges. For green thumbs living in Telluride, Mountain Village, Ophir and Rico, Gardening in the Mountains is being offered Wednesday, May 10 from 6-8 p.m., at the Fruen Building, 335 West Colorado Avenue, Telluride. This class will cover climate, soil, plant selection and helpful tips for ornamentals, natives and veggies. Free but please RSVP to maryw@sanmiguelcounty.org so we have an idea of how many people to expect.

The first Summer Native Plant Field Class of the season is Friday, May 19 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at OE Greager Open Space and Miramonte. An interactive plant walk will cover plants families and scientific names, ecological and landscape uses of the plants at each location. Class size is limited and is $25 per class. RSVP and pay in advance to hold your spot and get more information. maryw@sanmiguelcountyco.gov, 970-327-4393

Other summer Native Plant Field Classes take place June 9, June 23 and July 27.

Be sure to check out the San Miguel Basin Regional Seed Libraries at the Norwood, Telluride and Naturita libraries. The main goals of the seed library are to provide seeds of plants that do well in our area, and to grow more seed savers and a source of regionally adapted seed, donated by local seed savers. Seed donations are encouraged. 

See our Seed Library brochure for other information.

Now is the time to get potatoes in the ground. The CSU Extension office has four different varieties of seed potatoes for free. Stop by the office at 1120 Summit Street in Norwood, or call/email to arrange delivery.