Rocky Mountain Horticulture I
Rocky Mountain Gardening Required Course
Rocky Mountain Horticulture I is an introduction for growing plants successfully in the Rocky Mountain region and for year-round maintenance specific to Colorado. Learn to plan, budget and choose plants effectively. Become an expert in maintaining a healthy garden and controlling pests. Plant growth, fertilizers and microclimates are discussed.
Special Instructions: Bring graph paper and a pencil with an eraser to map out your individual landscape/garden project.
Session 1 - Plan for Your Landscape/Garden
Before we can create a landscape or garden we need to have a plan based on our available resources. Each participant takes an inventory of the type of soil, amount of sunlight and water, and the specific micro-environment of their landscape. We cover function and aesthetics of a number of landscape/garden designs. The economic, zoning and physical constraints of your property are addressed. Selecting the right plant for the right place is the general theme in our discussion. This course is designed to make you a more successful planner on a garden or landscape project.
Session 2 - Vegetable Gardening
This program includes valuable tips on how to plant and maintain a successful garden that fits your needs and remain within a budget. It covers garden layout and construction, making decisions about what and when to plant, and maintenance activities during the growing season. This course is designed to increase your gardening skills.
Session 3 - Small Fruits and Tree Fruits
Learn to grow your own fruit. Get tips to successfully grow raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and grapes, as well as how to grow fruit trees along the Front Range.
Session 4 - Pests in the Garden
This program covers common pest issues that new gardeners may face during a typical year of gardening. Identification of common arthropods, plant disease and weeds is also covered along with management tips. Other pests covered include mammals, nematodes and mollusks. The course is designed to allow you to effectively manage numerous garden pests.
Price: $190, $150 member
Onsite: Tuesday & Thursday, February 18, 20, 25, 27, 4:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
Instructor: Thaddeus Gourd
Thaddeus Gourd attended New Mexico State University where he graduated with a B.S. in pest management and horticulture. He earned a master's degree with thesis study in entomology at New Mexico State University and a Ph.D. in plant pathology with emphasis on plant parasitic nematodes at North Carolina State University. Thaddeus has worked for more than 19 years in the private sector of the plant science business, and since 2000, has worked at Colorado State University Extension as an agriculture agent and director for Adams County. He has extensive experience of gardening, weed science, entomology, plant pathology and greenhouse management and has been involved in the practice of integrated pest management for more than 30 years. Thaddeus retired from Colorado State University Extension in 2020 and now designs hail protection devices for home gardens and consults on hobby greenhouse designs.
Photo courtesy of: Soil Science (Flickr)