Mass Aggie Virtual Workshops on Home Gardening Continue Through March

AMHERST, Mass. – UMass Extension’s popular home gardening series, presented by Mass Aggie Seminars 2021, continues through March with a variety of virtual workshops.

Here’s the schedule of 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 made by mailing in a check.

(micro) Organisms in the Orchard, Saturday, Feb. 27, 10:30 a.m.-noon. UMass Extension educator Elizabeth Garofalo will explain how the smallest creatures can cause the greatest impact in a home garden. She will teach participants about managing disease in tree fruits. The deadline to register is noon, Feb. 26.

Insects: Pests and Pollinators, Saturday, March 6, 10:30 a.m.-noon. UMass Extension associate professor Jaime Piñero, an expert in tree fruit bugs, will teach the basics of pest identification and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the home orchard. The registration deadline is noon, March 5.

Backyard Brambles, Saturday, March 13, 10 a.m.-noon. Small-fruit extension specialist Sonia Schloemann will present this how-to virtual clinic covering planting, early care, pruning, varieties and diagnostics of brambles. The deadline to register is noon, March 12.

Fruit Tree Grafting, Saturday, March 20, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Wes Autio, director of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, will explain how apple varieties are reproduced by grafting rather than being grown from seed. He will focus on “bench grafting” and “cleft grafting” of apple trees and discuss other grafting techniques. Plant materials will be delivered to participants, who must reside in Massachusetts for this workshop. Proper tools and sharpening will not be included. Deadline to register is noon, March 12. Note the cost for this workshop is $50.