Rocky Mountain Horticulture II
Take your gardening expertise to the next level! This in-depth, 4-session focuses course on diagnosing and managing plant health challenges.
Gain the skills and practical knowledge in:
Each session dives into a key topic: diagnostic techniques, insect and arthropod identification, weed and disease control, and season extension strategies. Bring your own photos or sealed specimens for live analysis and discussion in class.
Session 1 - Diagnostic Training (CSI – Gardening): Before we can solve a problem, we first need to identify the culprit that is causing the problem. Learn diagnostic techniques to identify and find solutions for problems that may be abiotic or biotic in origin. This hands-on session is an overview of the methods to make you a more successful diagnostician in your garden.
Session 2 - Insects and other Arthropods: Learn to identify common and not-so-common visitors to our garden and become familiar with characteristics of insects and arthropods. Learn integrated pest management techniques for dealing with unwelcome guests and fostering welcome ones. Increase your entomological skills in this session.
Session 3 - Weeds and Diseases: Uncover common problems that make annual appearances in your garden. Use weed science to explore identification and integrated pest management techniques in the control of garden weeds. Through the world of plant pathology identify the causal agents and disease symptoms on garden plants, such as bacteria, fungi, virus, nematodes and parasitic plants. This session is designed to increase your ability to identify menaces and in your garden.
Session 4 - Greenhouse/Cold Frames, Hoop House and Other Options: Become familiar with the variety and practicality of greenhouses, cold frames and hoop house, walls of water and row covers. Acquire skills in using the right structure and device, choosing the best location and managing costs for your garden. This session provides support to help you create your best options to extend your growing season.
This course fulfills a core requirement for the Rocky Mountain Gardening full series certificate program.
Date(s) and Time(s): March 3, 5, 10, 12, 4:30 - 7 p.m.
Price: $200, $170 member
Location: York Street
Special Instructions: Bring photos or sealed specimens to class for analysis.
Instructor: Thaddeus Gourd
Thaddeus attended New Mexico State University where he graduated with a B.S. in pest management and horticulture. He earned a master's degree with thesis study in entomology at New Mexico State University and a Ph.D. in plant pathology with emphasis on plant parasitic nematodes at North Carolina State University. Thaddeus has worked for more than 19 years in the private sector of the plant science business, and since 2000, has worked at Colorado State University Extension as an agriculture agent and director for Adams County. He has extensive experience of gardening, weed science, entomology, plant pathology and greenhouse management and has been involved in the practice of integrated pest management for more than 30 years. Thaddeus retired from Colorado State University Extension in 2020 and now designs hail protection devices for home gardens and consults on hobby greenhouse designs.