Enjoy Your Container and Raised Bed Garden

Series a Great Success!

Lack of time, short growing seasons, poor soils, and problems with pests (insects and vertebrate pests) have been the primary reasons that home gardeners are not successful with their garden efforts. Donna Coffin, Extension Educator led a statewide Extension team to develop a day long program called “Enjoy Your Container and Raised Bed Gardens” to provide gardeners with the newest techniques for improving their success.  Eleven programs were offered in eight counties to 273 gardeners. Here in Piscataquis County we had 27 people attend.

A post meeting survey revealed that over 60% of respondents felt that gardening had considerable or crucial importance to them.  When asked to rate their confidence prior to the meeting on their ability to enjoy containers and raised beds participants averaged less than three on a six point scale.  After the meeting their confidence rating increased to five.  Understanding of gardening techniques presented increased from a moderate level to considerable level of understanding for all participants as a result of attending the session.

Reasons people gave about why they garden included for the enjoyment, health & recreation, supplement food budget and for business. 

“It's my way of communicating with nature and surrounding myself with beauty. Great for the soul!”

“With the rising cost of vegetables, gardening will be more important this  year.”

“We do it because we like to and it tastes better.  Also it helps on the food  bill.”

When asked it they would recommend this workshop to others almost 80% said very likely. Respondents gave us a number of ideas for future gardening programs.

While we can’t offer the whole day training again this year we will be offering a one hour Brown Bag Session on Growing Vegetables in Raised Beds on Thursday, May 29^th at the Dover-Foxcroft Extension Office.  Please call and let us know you are coming to this free session. Bring your lunch and learn about this method of gardening.

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