For gardners – or potential gardeners – who have issues with physical, time or space limitations, help is on the way.
The Oconee Master Gardeners Association and Putnam County Cooperative Extension are teaming up for a four-part series on “Gardening with Limitations,” with second-Wednesday-of-the-month sessions from January through April.
“We will introduce you to the latest tools and methods which will help you continue your love for gardening,” Shawn Davis, who volunteers with both organizations, said in a recent email.
“All presentations are free and open to the public. All products demonstrated will be given away as door prizes.”
“Introduction and Garden Helpers” is scheduled for Jan. 8. The Feb. 12 session will cover tools; irrigation and chemical applications will be the topics March 12. The final session, set for April 9, will address plantings and container gardening.
Davis said Putnam County Extension Coordinator Keith Fielder’s annual needs assessment “showed that our community wanted additional programming information and ideas on how to make gardening and landscaping activities easier.
“Since a large segment of our population is retirement age, this made great sense,” Davis said.
“Additionally, with people choosing smaller gardens and limited landscapes, this brought forth request for raised beds more efficient irrigation systems.”
Davis said the “excellent working relationship” between the two organizations provided “the perfect venue” for the program.”
OMGA provides monthly educational programs for gardners.
BetweenFielder’s needs assessment and feedback Davis has gotten from local master gardeners, an “A-Z outline of a program we felt would address the community needs” was developed, Davis said.
Similar programs across the state have covered individual topics, “but none have addressed the topics as a whole,” he added.
Unique aspects of the program will be the chance for individuals to get Fielder’s “one-on-one instruction and advice” and the chance to see gardening products up close – and, perhaps, take them home.
“The companies participating in the presentation have provided us with unique gardening items that will address one or all of the limitations we will be presenting,” Davis explained.
“We will be demonstrating tools, gardening helpers, automation, process changes and maintenance methodology from around the world.”
The items “will be donated to attendees by random drawing” at the end of each session, Davis said.
All sessions will be from 10:30 a.m.to 1 p.m. at The Hut community center, 400A W. Marion St. in downtown Eatonton.
The programs are free to participants, Davis emphasized, but pre-registration by calling the county Extension Office at 706-485-4151 “would be appreciated to ensure adequate attendee packets.”
For more details, contact Davis by email to mosshappyness@gmail.com.
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