Just in time for spring, Mesa Public Library is offering a series of free gardening classes throughout March and April. No registration is required.
The Library is partnering with Kaylee Colter, a native Arizonan and registered landscape architect with a Master of Science degree in Sustainable Horticulture, to offer the following Garden Like a Pro classes at the Main Library, 64 E. First St.:
Garden Like a Pro: Gardening 101
Saturday, March 2, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
If you've been thinking about planting a garden but weren't sure where to begin, this program is for you. Kaylee Colter, registered landscape architect, will help you start your garden off on the right foot. Learn about gardening essentials such as choosing the best location for planting, preparing for your in-ground garden or raised bed and when to plant common veggies to keep your garden flourishing throughout the year. Whether you are brand new to gardening or in need of a refresher, Kaylee has you covered!
Garden Like a Pro: Growing Greener
Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Your garden bed is prepared, you've got your seeds and you're ready to grow. Now discover how to kick the sustainability of your home garden up a notch! Kaylee Colter is back with tips on reducing water usage, growing organic and the basics of composting.
Garden Like a Pro: Changing with the Seasons
Saturday, March 30, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Your garden has sprouted, and you're finally enjoying the fruits of your labors. What happens next? Join us for the final session of our spring Garden Like a Pro series and learn from Kaylee Colter how to extend your current growing season, transition from one season to the next, and harvest and save seeds for later planting.
Mesa Public Library is partnering with Laura Ward with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension to offer a series of free master gardener classes during March and April at Red Mountain Branch, 635 N. Power Road:
Master Gardening: Vegetable Gardening
Thursday, March 28, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Gardening in the desert isn't always easy, but it is entirely possible to be harvesting something from your garden every week of the year in Arizona! Arizona Master Gardener Laura Ward will talk about the University of Arizona desert gardening calendar, her experiences in the U of A demo garden and how to kick your backyard garden up a few notches.
Master Gardening: Fruit and Nut Trees
Saturday, March 30, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
We will talk about how to select, plant, care for, harvest and irrigate deciduous fruit and nut trees for the low desert to ensure fresh fruit and nuts as much of the year as possible.
Master Gardening: Soils and Fertilizers
Thursday, April 11, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Laura Ward will share information about the characteristics of our desert soils and how to use fertilizers to keep your plants, shrubs and trees healthy. We will discuss when and how to use compost and fertilizer, as well as when you can save your money and skip the fertilizer.
Master Gardening: Desert Adaptive Plants and Foraging
Saturday, April 20, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Laura Ward will discuss how to plant and care for desert adapted ground covers, shrubs and trees in your yard for year-round color and low water use. She will also talk about foraging for native desert edibles, either in your yard or growing in the wild.
Arizona Master Gardeners are university-trained volunteers who serve as community educators. They work with the University of Arizona providing research based information on environmentally responsible gardening and landscaping to the public. After completing a semester long course, concentrating on gardening and the environment, Master Gardeners Associates volunteer to serve their communities.
Mesa has Seed Libraries at its Main Library and at Red Mountain Branch. The Seed Library allows library card holders to check out three seed packets per month for free. Choose from a wide variety of seeds for edible plants and herbs, bring your seeds home to grow and save the seeds to donate back to the library. Seed varieties are rotated with the seasons and are suitable to local growing conditions.
The Seed Library is open during regular library hours. Both locations of our Seed Libraries are made possible through a partnership with Garden Pool, a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit organization for sustainable food production research and education.
Library
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699
kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov