Skip to main content

Level up your gardening skills with this free program

Like most things, gardening requires experience to become great at it. While this makes gardening very rewarding in the long term, getting started can be more than a little scary. Even something as simple as planting lettuce can come with tons of questions if you have never planted a vegetable in your life: What fertilizer do I use? What time of the year do seeds go in the ground? Am I giving my lettuce too much sun? Can I even grow lettuce in my climate?

Thankfully, you do not have to go through this alone. There is a free program that not only will answer all of your questions, but it was created to do just that by the U.S. government over 100 years ago — the USDA extension program.

older man and young boy gardening
CDC/Unsplash

What are extension services?

If you have any questions about gardening then it is time to become familiar with the extension services at your local college or university. What are they, exactly? Cooperative extension services, also called extension programs, are free community outreach and education programs for agriculture, including farming and, you guessed it, gardening. The programs were developed in 1914 between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and public universities as a way to promote knowledge about farming and gardening between farmers and American citizens.

Since then, state universities have become the hub for this community outreach program. The effort was immediately a huge success and, over 100 years later, all 50 states have extension services. Typically, these USDA gardening programs will put on community events, have lectures and courses, and answer gardening and farming questions from locals (that’s where you come in). Extension programs also have specialty services, such as getting your garden soil tested for a small fee, enrolling in a Master Gardener program, or signing your child up for a gardening club.

Extension services are truly one-stop programs for gardeners across the country.

benefits of gardening

How to use extension services

You may be wondering if you have to be a farmer or live near your state’s university to take advantage of extension services. The answer? Absolutely not. While state universities are the hub for the services and were originally created to help farmers, most programs now have physical offices in multiple counties that anyone can access. The USDA Land-Grant University website directory will point you in the direction of the nearest program. Simply click on your state and a list will appear showing every university and college that has extension services. You can also visit The Older Farmer’s Almanac for a list of where to find your state’s cooperative extension service.

Once you find your state’s website, don’t be intimated by the vast amount of information available. Extension service websites are, by design, packed with as much helpful information as possible, providing a one-stop resource for any project you are working on. However, do not think that these websites are simply Google for gardening. Many have event calendars that show lectures, workshops, courses, and other in-person meetings that will help grow your skill as a gardener. Remember that extension services were originally created to teach people about agriculture, so do not be shy about digging in.

There are classes that teach anything, and we mean anything, about agriculture. From how to build chicken coops and taking care of chickens to growing tomatoes in California to the history of farming in 1950’s America, anyone can find something to learn from extension services.

Final thoughts

It is impossible to talk about every single thing that gardeners can learn from extension services. The programs are a valuable resource for anyone interested in agriculture from the budding beginner who wants to grow mint for their morning smoothies to the industrial gardener who owns three greenhouses. Extension services should be your first stop for everything about planting, harvesting, cooking, persevering, and pruning crops in your local area of the country.

Finally, do not be afraid if you are a beginner. The people who work at extension services are local experts who have been exactly where you are. They love answering your questions and sharing their knowledge with people who are just as enthusiastic about agriculture as they are.

Editors' Recommendations

Niko Vercelletto
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Niko Vercelletto lives in Lansing, Michigan. He is passionate about going into depressive spirals thanks to the Detroit Lions…
What types of plants can you grow from garden boxes? You’ll be surprised with all your options!
Your comprehensive guide to choosing and setting up a garden box
Garden boxes with legs

Growing plants in containers can be a convenient way to enjoy harvests when you don’t have time or energy to build full-blown garden beds or manage crops directly planted in the ground. However, there may be times when you simply need bigger containers.

There’s where garden boxes come in. While they may sometimes be conflated with raised garden beds, garden boxes are often smaller and much more transportable than beds — many also come with convenient features like wheels and legs, too! If you feel curious about garden boxes, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide on what they are and what you can plant in them.

Read more
Why do gardeners use raised beds? Here are reasons why you should grow crops and flowers in raised gardens
From allowing you to control soil to helping reduce weeds, raised garden beds can come in handy
Raised garden beds

Ask any seasoned gardener why they use raised beds, and the reason likely boils down to control. Raised beds allow you to control what goes into your crops while giving you the luxury of ample space to work with. Control, of course, can mean a wide variety of things. Here are the main reasons you should consider growing your fruits and veggies in raised beds.

1. Raised beds allow you to control your soil conditions
When you grow your plants in a raised bed, you have the power to control the soil that holds your plants. If you're raising edible crops, this means you can choose an organic growing medium for peace of mind. It's also easier to amend the soil to exactly what you need it be, whether you'd like it to be more well draining or acidic.
You ultimately won't have to do a lot of tilling to break up compact soil. Plus, soil also tends to warm up faster in beds during the springtime, so you don't have to wait for the ground to warm up before you start planting.

Read more
Is it illegal to collect rainwater? What you should know before setting up your rain barrels
Facts to learn about the legality of collecting rainwater
A raindrop splashing down into a barrel of water

Eco-friendly living is becoming more popular each year, and there are plenty of ways you can help the environment at home. You can compost to reduce food waste or plant trees to absorb carbon. Conserving water is another easy way to be eco-friendly, and one method is to set up a rain barrel. However, some people have been wondering: Is it illegal to collect rainwater? We’ve got everything you need to know to feel confident setting up your rain barrels.

Is it illegal to collect rainwater?
In most cases, no, it is not illegal to collect rainwater. However, there are some places with regulations or limitations. There are no federal laws about collecting rainwater, which means it's left to each state. Additionally, there may be restrictions at the county or city level, or even from your Homeowner’s Association.

Read more