GRAY – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension announces a five-session course, “Principles for Successful Gardening,” to be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays at the Windham Public Library on Windham Center Road.

Extension Educator Richard Brzozowski will be the lead teacher. The first session is planned for Monday, April 5. The practical course is designed for home gardeners and others who wish to learn more about growing vegetables and flowers in Maine. Participants will gain knowledge and skills in soil science, plant science, watering, garden planning and pest management.

The cost is $95 and includes a reference manual and a free soil test. The course is limited to 25 participants. For more information on the schedule or to register, call 1-800-287-1471 or look for Maine Gardening Series at Cooperative Extension’s Web site www.umext.maine.edu.

The Extension has also scheduled a four-session course on the principles of season extension during April and May. The course is designed for serious gardeners and small farmers.

Extension vegetable specialist Dr. Mark Hutton will lead two classroom sessions from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, April 15 and 29, at the Druckenmiller Science Building on the Bowdoin College campus in Brunswick. Two field sessions will take place at Crystal Spring Farm at which cold frames will be fabricated on Thursday, May 6, and a sliding hoop house constructed on Saturday, May 15.

The cost is $95 and includes all reference materials. Participants will receive several references including the “Hoop House Handbook” and Eliot Coleman’s “Winter Harvest Manual.” For more information, see the Maine Gardening Series Cooperative Extension home page at www.umext.maine.edu or call 1-800-287-1471. The course is limited to 20 participants.