Bees, Bugs and Worms, a Home Gardener Workshop from Darke SWCD and the City of Greenville

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Are you interested in learning about natural ways to improve the health and production from your garden? If so, join us on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 for a home gardener workshop focused on “Bees, Bugs & Worms”. This workshop will be held at the OSU Extension Learning Center located at 603 Wagner Avenue, Greenville. The City of Greenville and Darke SWCD are putting this workshop together to assist home gardeners as they look for alternatives to store bought items as they look to improve their garden’s production.

The “Bees” portion will have CheyAnne Toner of Versailles presenting from 6:30-7:00 p.m. on backyard beekeeping. CheyAnne is an experienced bee keeper. She will explain how a bee hive operates and offer tips on how to keep a hive healthy. Bees are extremely important in the pollination process of vegetables, fruits and flowers.

The “Bugs” portion features Janell of Darke SWCD as she discusses organic controls for garden pests from 7:00-7:30 p.m. She will present management techniques for pests covering aphids to whiteflies. Janell will draw from experience gained in her own garden and as an integrated pest management manager at an Ohio organic produce farm.

And finally the “Worms” portion will bring Fred Williams of the Natural Alternative to share information about compost and worm castings. Worm castings, or worm manure, are an organic fertilizer. The Natural Alternative composts leaves, limbs and horse manure. Fred uses worms to further break down that organic matter and increase the nutrient density in the compost. Fred will present from 7:30-8:00 p.m.

“After the interest expressed in natural gardening techniques from our Grow It, Make It, Can It Workshop in April, I am excited to offer a workshop that will address that topic,” said Janell Weiss, Nutrient Management Specialist/Ag Technician with Darke SWCD.

Space is limited and registration is required. If you are interested in attending this free workshop, please call the Darke SWCD at 937.548.1752 or email jared.coppess@oh.nacdnet.net. This workshop is one in the series of home gardener workshops offered by the City of Greenville and Darke SWCD.