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
Juice Flair/Shutterstock

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…
The 7 best types of Christmas trees to fill your home with holiday cheer
Everything you need to know about the most popular Christmas trees
Decorating a Christmas tree

Decorating your home for the holidays is so fun, and it's something the whole family can take part in. Choosing the Christmas tree is often an activity that families especially look forward to. And you can make a full day of it, bringing everyone out to pick the perfect tree.

This tradition is a great way to spend time together, and it ensures that everyone feels included in the festivities. But how do you know which tree is best for your situation? There are many types of Christmas trees to choose from, so it can be hard to understand how to narrow them down.

Read more
Get festive with these houseplant “holidadecoration” ideas
Give your indoor jungle a jolly makeover this Christmas
A small potted pine tree wrapped in Christmas decorations next to a tiny snowman figurine

As you decorate for the holidays, don't forget your plants! Incorporating your houseplants into your holiday celebrations and decor is a great way to brighten up your home. Christmas may be one of the most common holidays for decorations, so don't forget that plants can be useful for other holiday festivities as well. No matter what you're celebrating this winter season, this guide has something for everyone! For tips on how to make your plants festive for the holiday season, follow this simple guide to houseplant holiday decorations.

Add ornaments and lights to your houseplants
Here’s a simple holiday plant idea: Furnish your houseplants with ornaments, tinsel, and string lights. If you’re doing this in lieu of a Christmas tree, it’ll very likely be much cheaper than furnishing a 6-foot-tall tree, as you can buy most of the mini decorations at your local dollar store! Money trees, corn plants, and rubber trees are just a few houseplants with strong central stems that can handle minor weight from lights and ornaments. If you want to avoid placing anything onto your plants, create holiday stakes with cut-out Santas, snowflakes, ornaments, and more.

Read more
Which plants absorb the most carbon dioxide? Here are 5 air-cleaning plants to add to your home
Easy-care houseplants that will cleanse the air in your home
Areca palm

It doesn't matter if you live in the city or out on a homestead; clean air in our homes is something we all want. While using air filters and opening up windows are great ways to keep your air fresh and clean, sometimes they just aren't options. To get you started on cleaning up the air in your home, we'll be talking about the plants you can use to improve the quality of your air and the aesthetics of your space. Keep reading to learn which plants absorb the most carbon dioxide.

Why find carbon dioxide-absorbing plants?
There isn't anything you have to do to encourage a plant to absorb carbon dioxide and expel oxygen. It's what it does naturally! That goes for all plants, from a giant ficus rubber tree to a modest cactus. Any plant that uses photosynthesis to create its energy will improve your air quality. You can also find plants that absorb other toxic things from the air. For example, a bamboo palm will reduce levels of formaldehyde in the air as well. So if you're looking for a forest of air-cleaning plants, you're sure to find it.

Read more