AMHERST, Mass. – UMass Extension’s popular home garden series, presented by Mass Aggie Seminars 2021, will continue through March with a variety of virtual workshops.
Here is the schedule for the remaining topics and dates. Register online or print out a form to register by mail. Each virtual workshop costs $ 30 unless otherwise noted, or $ 25 if payment is by check.
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(Micro) organisms in the orchard, Saturday, February 27, 10:30 a.m. UMass Extension educator Elizabeth Garofalo explains how the smallest creatures in a home garden can have the greatest impact. She will teach participants how to deal with diseases in tree fruits. Registration closes on February 26th, 12 noon.
- Insects: pests and pollinators, Saturday, March 6th, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Jaime Piñero, Associate Professor at UMass Extension, an expert on tree fruit bugs, teaches the basics of pest detection and integrated pest management (IPM) in the home orchard. Registration closes on March 5th, 12.00 p.m.
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Backyard blackberries, Saturday, March 13th, 10 a.m. Sonia Schloemann, specialist in expanding small fruits, will introduce this virtual clinic with guides that include planting, early care, pruning, cultivating and diagnosing blackberries. Registration closes on March 12th, 12 noon.
- Fruit tree plugs, Saturday, March 20, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Wes Autio, director of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, explains how apple varieties are reproduced by grafting instead of being grown from seeds. He will focus on “bench-grafting” and “crevice-grafting” apple trees and discussing other grafting techniques. Plant materials will be provided to participants who will need to reside in Massachusetts for this workshop. Proper tools and sharpening are not included. Registration closes on March 12th, 12 noon. Note that the cost of this workshop is $ 50.
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