Dallas County Edible Garden Training Opens This Week

Dallas County Health and Human Services is launching its Edible Garden Training For all series to teach local residents the fundamentals of urban gardening.

The free series covers soil health, raised beds, smart irrigation, veggies, fruits, harvesting, integrated pest management, storage tips, backyard chickens, and marketing your product.

"Ready to eat what you grow?" reads the advertisement posted on social media this week. "Our free edible gardening training registration is officially open. From mastering soil health to the secret to backyard chickens, we're giving you the blueprint to turn your yard into a harvest-ready oasis."

Here are the sites and dates for the three classes to be held this winter and spring.

Garland Urban Farm

Feb. 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21

9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

West Dallas Multipurpose Center

Feb. 25; March 4, 11, 25; April 1

10:30 a.m. - noon

Dallas College Cedar Valley

Feb. 26; March 4, 12, 26; April 2

You must be a resident of Dallas County to register for these classes. Sign up here.

There will also be a Gardening Fun You Can Dig meeting at the Fort Worth botanical Garden's Rose Room on Feb. 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Attendees will learn the characteristics of soil, the distinction between soil and dirt, and information about the mulches and fertilizers necessary for a thriving and successful garden. The first hour is for socializing and snacks and the presentation will follow a brief business meeting.

Fort Worth Botanical Garden; 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth, TX