Mar 19, 2024 By Mark Hofmann 2 min read

Two Seed to Supper classes will be available next month for those interested in growing their own produce on a budget.

“It’s a very positive, fun week,” said Margaret Sams, a master gardener with the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Washington County. “It’s not heavy on science; you don’t have to know chemistry. It’s just gardening.”

Sams said the program started in Washington County four years ago and has grown in popularity, from six participants the first year it was offered to 22 in 2023.

The Seed to Supper program was created by Master Gardeners in Oregon and adopted by the Penn State Master Gardeners in 2020.

“This is geared toward growing vegetables on a budget,” Sams said, adding that they have plenty of free seeds to give to participants.

Sams said she breaks down the makeup of expensive fertilizer and provides other ways of getting different materials together to create fertilizer on a dime.

The six-day course teaches how to plan a garden, prepare the soil, plant the seeds, maintain the garden and harvest the produce.

The sixth day features a nutritionist from the Penn State extension office who offers recipes using vegetables grown by participants.

“That class is really fun,” Sams said, noting that classes are hands-on. “We go over different ways to use vegetables and how to bring more vegetables into your diet and improve your nutrition.”

The free Seed to Supper classes will be offered at two locations:

– Burgettstown Library, 2 Kerr St., Burgettstown, from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays, April 1 to May 6. Those attending must pre-register by contacting Barbara at barbara.f.pelfrey@gmail.com.

– Center for Coalfield Justice, 31 E. Chestnut St., No. 102, Washington, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, April 3 to May 8. Those attending must pre-register by contacting Allison at allison@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.

Sams said there’s no deadline to register, but classes may be capped at around 22 participants for each class.