How Does Your Garden Grow — Free Tips on Better Gardening

There nothing like the feeling of planting something and then watching it grow. I recently planted a hibiscus and I treat it like a family member. The first time it bloomed ( the one in the picture) one of those big beautiful flowers, I felt that I had actually accomplished something.

The Friends of Tuten Park want to help you be a better gardener and they've set up a series of free classes that just might interest you.

Friends of Tuten Park will host a series of free, beginning gardener classes, starting this weekend and lasting through October.

Classes will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturdays at the Tuten Park Education Building, located at 3801 Nelson Road.

Class dates and topics are as follows. All presenters are Master Gardeners.

"The ABC's of Gardening" by George Hutchinson on Sept. 6

"Soil Preparation" by John Romero on Sept. 13

"Vegetable Gardening" by Brian Pitre on Sept. 20

"Citrus Grafting" by Pam Langley and Ervin McClelland on Sept. 27

"Flower Gardening" by Harriett Green on Oct. 4

"Landscaping and Lawns" by Emily Shirley on Oct. 11

"Integrative Pest Management" by Pam Langley on Oct. 18.