Class Gets A Jump On Spring Planting

By MAGGIE MCMURRAY

Moapa Valley Progress

Eager gardening fans gathered at the Nevada Cooperative Extension office in Logandale last week for a class on how to get started with gardening in this area.
The class, entitled “Jump Start Veggies” covered everything needed to get seeds started now in order get a jump start on the spring growing season. The class included lessons on garden layouts, different growing methods, soil composition, composting, starting plants from seed, greenhouses, lighting, potting soil, and many other things.

Class participants varied from gardening experts who have recently moved here and just needed tips on gardening in Moapa Valley’s unique micro-climate to true beginners who were starting, literally, from the ground up.
The class began a look at some different ideas on what to do with early starts. Some ideas shown were a teepee-type structure for climbing plants, raised garden boxes, and greenhouse growing with lights. Instructor, John Wilson, even showed class members a less expensive way to construct their own greenhouse lights from PVC pipe.

The class admired a new recently built “bug box” that is intended to draw pollinators to the area and got a lesson on composting and the use of composted material in planting.

After a lesson in how to prepare pots and planters to avoid spreading disease between plants, the class moved on to one of the most enjoyable activities of the day. This was a lesson in making your own potting soil, which Wilson showed could be made for a fraction of the cost of prepared soil at the nursery. Participants mixed peat moss and perlite in a 5:2 ratio and then added a secret ingredient of dishsoap and water to make high quality potting soil with just the right moisture content.

The hands-on lessons continued after that as participants were taught how to separate and re-pot seedlings and how to sprout their own seeds and then plant them. Several different sprouting methods were taught from direct planting in prepared soil to sprouting in a zip-lock bag on wet paper towels. Wilson even showed the class how to make bio-degradable origami newspaper planters. Each attendee went home with their own starts to practice their newly acquired knowledge.
Class member Jennifer Graham recently moved here from Ventura, CA, and came to get tips on planting in this area. “The class was great,” she said. “It was very helpful. I learned how to make cheap soil and what and how to plant in this environment.”

Corrie Cummins also attended and said, “I’m looking forward to trying to germinate some old seeds in paper towels and planting seeds with my homeschooling group.”

Expert gardener Teri Whitmore moved to the area from Boise, ID, last summer. She said, “I tried to plant last year but got frustrated with the different climate and area. I enjoyed the class because it taught me what and how to plant for this area and how to grow things here.”

UNCE Assistant Dianna Walker also attended the class. She said, “We have a great demand for gardening and horticulture classes. It’s great to have such a valuable source of knowledge in John, combined with a willingness to teach these classes for free. I encourage everyone to keep watching for more classes that are upcoming. We want everyone to succeed with their efforts. No one wants a to grow a $200 tomato.”

For more information on upcoming programs, contact UNCE at 702-397-2604.