RUMFORD — School and community gardens are blossoming across the state with many schools seeing this as an opportunity to give students hands-on growing experience while reinforcing math, science and nutrition concepts.

“Success with any garden depends on a basic understanding of soil, pests and diseases and crop choices. However, school and community gardens have the additional challenge of volunteer management, fund raising and keeping the garden growing over the summer,” said Barbara Murphy, extension educator with Oxford County Cooperative Extension.

To help teachers and other community members have successful gardens whether they are located at school or place of employment, Cooperative Extension is offering School Gardening 101, A Garden Primer. Classes will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 29. The five-week course will be held on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mountain Valley High School.

There is no charge but preregistration is required by calling the Extension office at 743-6329 or emailing Lesley Quick at [email protected].