Above: The Southborough Library is continuing its gardening workshop series with Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens.
The Southborough Library’s “DIG IN! Garden Information Series” workshops have been a hit with patrons this winter. Eight more of the semi-monthly sessions have been scheduled for spring. Each is presented by the Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens.
The most recent program in the series was Raised Bed Gardening on Monday night. You can watch here a similar presentation made by BVVG at the Library in 2019, courtesy of Southborough Access Media.
The zoom sessions aren’t recorded for SAM. That means to take advantage of BVVG’s expertise, you’ll wan to register. Anyone 12 years or older can participate over zoom, but pre-registration is required and limited.
Each of the following upcoming sessions will take place from 7:00 – 8:00 pm on a Monday, except where noted. Below are the linked workshop titles and program descriptions:
Companion Planting & Design – March 8th
Location, location, location….. some plants just naturally grow better next to other, and well, some don’t. Here’s where you can learn what keeps the peace in your garden.
Growing Tomatoes – March 22nd
Without question, tomatoes are the number one home garden crop. We will teach you the best ways to maximize your harvest.
Growing Cucurbits – April 5th
Love the look and taste of summer and fall squash? We’ll help get the best yield possible from all your zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkins, and everything in between.
Backyard Orchard – April 19th
Growing tree fruit can be challenging, but with a few hints and the right techniques, you’ll have enough apples, pears, and everything else for the entire neighborhood!
Canning, Freezing, & Dehydrating – May 10th
Got way too much production from your garden this year? No problem! We’ll show you the easiest and best ways to preserve it!
Container Gardening – May 24th
Short on space, but still have visions of growing your own produce? Come learn all about growing in containers!
Growing A Summer Salad – June 7th
Is there anything more refreshing in the summer than a homegrown salad? We’ll give you the basics on lettuce, tomato, and cucumber growing.
Closing The Garden – June 21st
While the end of the season can be depressing, it’s also the best time to get a jump start on the following year. We’ll explore pruning, seed saving, mulching, and composting.
The series is funded by a $10,000 grant from Library Services & Technology Act distributed by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The programming is just part of how the funds are being allocated. A press release also shares:
In addition to programming, the Southborough Library also plans to develop a new community garden on the front lawn of the library grounds. Initially starting out as a local Eagle Scout Project, the library’s community garden will help to augment the successful new initiative: the Library Seed Exchange. The library also hopes to have mobile “gardening kits” available to check out in Spring 2021.
You can read the full press release with more grant details here. For more details on the seed exchange, including how you can donate seeds to it, click here.
Registration is coordinated through the Southborough Recreation website.
Updated (5/18/21 11:39 am): Either the date for Container Gardening was wrong or it changed since I originally posted.
