(Photo Illustration – MetroCreativeConnection)
PARKERSBURG — The annual “Fridays in the Garden” educational workshops sponsored by the Wood County Master Gardeners will be offered every Friday this month at South Parkersburg Baptist Church.
Each installment is scheduled for noon on Fridays at the church at 1655 Blizzard Drive. The event is celebrating its 11th year and is free and open to the public. Gardening enthusiasts from beginners to experts are welcome, according to a release announcing the program. Door prizes such as seed packets and herbs will be available.
“We are excited about the Fridays in the Garden workshops,” said J.J. Barrett, WVU Extension agriculture agent. “It has been a tough winter with all the snow, cold and even below zero temperatures. However, spring is just around the corner and people can get excited about gardening.”
“Many people can experience a boost in mental well-being through gardening,” he said. “All that digging, planting and harvesting in the garden is good exercise, and research has shown gardening lowers stress levels and anxiety. Plus, it is also very gratifying and healthy to eat food you have grown yourself.”
Along with Barrett, other WVU Extension master gardeners will be present at each session to help answer personal gardening questions.
“Fridays in the Garden provides an excellent opportunity for gardening enthusiasts to share knowledge as well as to learn and adopt new skills. Beyond the educational value, it’s always fun to network and share ideas with other gardeners,” said Joyce McDougle, president of the Wood County Master Gardeners. “Fridays in the Garden provides a platform to interact with people with common interests and to have questions answered by knowledgeable experts.”
At today’s session, Evan Wilson from West Virginia University will be teaching about egg production, breed selections and caring for a small poultry flock in his presentation on “Backyard Chickens.” The spike in egg prices in 2023 resulted in a surge of people wanting to raise chickens for home egg production.
Barrett will also be teaching about “Flowering Herbs for Pollinators.”
On Feb. 13, Craig Bandy from Wine Tree Vineyards, a winery in Wood County, will be discussing “Growing Grapes.”
Barrett will teach a session on “Happy, Healthy House Plants,” based on how having plants can brighten up a room and improve moods, especially during winter months.
Bob Gregory – who operates the Berea Gardens Agriculture Center in Minnora, W.Va. – will share his knowledge of “Extending the Growing Season” on Feb. 20.
Berea Gardens markets all their produce locally as part of a commitment to build a healthier community and provide on-farm training programs that teach others how to grow their own food and earn enough to support a family. The training is focused on principles of growing the healthiest crops, people, environment and community.
In observance of the United States’ 250th birthday, Barrett will be discussing options for backyard gardeners in his talk titled “Patriotic Garden Themes.”
The last workshop on Feb. 27 will feature Dave Johnson from Chemours talking about the trees, shrubs and flowers growing at a local nature trail in his presentation “Nature Center at Washington Works.” With a total length of 1.3 miles, the trail can be completed in just about an hour, making it an ideal option for a quick nature getaway.
The trail is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.
Barrett will make a presentation on “Cultivating Cole Crops,” such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. He said they are a joy to grow in addition to providing a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. They also contain essential trace minerals and are linked with lower rates of many chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
The series is co-sponsored by the Wood County Extension Master Gardeners, a program of WVU Extension. Master Gardeners are volunteers trained in small-scale food production, horticulture, and gardening who, in turn, share their knowledge with the community.
Additional information is available by contacting Barrett at 304-424-1960 or jj.barrett@mail.wvu.edu.
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