Share the Herb Garden

Are you a backyard gardener interested in growing herbs to use and share?

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension herb specialist Henriette den Ouden is offering a series of three classes perfect for you.

In this Share the Herb Garden series, you can get new ideas on what herbs to grow, how to grow them and what to do with them.

The classes will be held in the herb garden at the university’s Research, Extension and Teaching Farm on Stewart Neck Road in Princess Anne.

The classes will be held April 11, May 30 and Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon to align with the growing and harvesting seasons.

Every class includes product making tips and practice in the herb garden outside. Den Ouden is always ready to answer questions or show examples.

The cost is $10 per participant per class or $25 for all three classes in the series. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. Attendance at all three classes is encouraged.

Class Schedule

Early Spring Class: April 11

This is all about preparation. This class will focus on design and what you plan to do with the garden. Is there any specific health issue you want to use your herbs to address, or do you want to make special teas or salves? We will guide you through the first steps:

• When to seed and how. The difference in seeding and buying plants.
• How to prevent weeds and prepare the soil.
• Increase your seed-growing know-how.

There will be hands-on seeding exercises in the garden and greenhouse. And there will be a tea tasting to help you choose which herbs to grow.

Spring class: May 30

You have everything growing. Now, maintain, prepare, harvest and enjoy! We go outside and practice weed and pest recognition and learn what you can do about them. You will learn through practice how to harvest different herbs (flowers, leaves and roots). And there is still enough time to make changes, seed more and buy different herbs. This session we will create an infused herbal oil together.

Fall class: Oct. 10

Fall is harvest time and preparation time for the winter. Learn how to prepare the garden for next year and to harvest the last roots. The series ends with some fun product making (salves, tinctures and teas).

WHEN: Saturday, April 11, May 30 and Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-noon

WHERE: UMES Research, Extension and Teaching Farm, 10789 Stewart Neck Road, Princess Anne, MD

COST: $10 for individual class; $25 for all three classes

REGISTER: Pre-registration is required

CONTACT: Crystal Sankar at cjsankar@umes.edu