Photo courtesy of ROSE MASSIE
Garden vegetables will be the subject of the upcoming Garden to Table Workshop.

STRODES MILLS — It’s common knowledge that eating your veggies is important. Nowadays, most recipes tell you to throw a bit of iceberg lettuce and tomato in your dishes.

But not all vegetables are created equal, meaning all vegetables are not planted at the same time. Some like it cooler — while others are warm weather vegetables.

Experienced gardeners like Rose Massie, a volunteer with Community Partnerships in Lewistown, know what the best time is to plant certain vegetables in April

and May.

“Tips to Keep the Garden Healthy” will be the topic at a free Garden to Table workshop for those interested in how to produce a successful homegrown harvest. The next session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Body and Soul Community Center, Strodes Mills. Community Partnerships and the United Way of Mifflin-Juniata are sponsoring the event.

The workshop is free.

“Garden vegetables need a variety of nutrients to get off to a good start, but all vegetables have different nutrient needs as they grow,” Massie said.

“For example, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower benefit from more fertilizer about two or three weeks after being transplanted, while tomatoes benefit best when they start to fruit,” she added. “I will have a flier with good information for gardeners to take home as a reference. I am always learning a little more each year and that makes gardening interesting.”

Keeping track of a garden’s growth is one of the keys to maintaining a healthy garden.

“Do the plants appear healthy?” Massie said. “Checking for insects and knowing the good and bad of them, making sure of adequate water and nutrients for growth.

“We’ll talk about how compost and mulching keeps a garden healthy,” she added. “Getting a soil test is another way to keep track of what a garden may need to stay healthy.”

Massie expects attendees to harvest a lot of valuable tips and tricks during the hour-long event, especially during the question-and-answer discussions.

“We are fortunate to have some experienced gardeners attend the workshops and they always have good advice to share from their years of gardening,” Massie explained.

She also looks forward to the transplant share that takes place at the end of the night. “Everyone is welcome to bring any extra transplants they have, and everyone can take something new home with them,” Massie said. “The sharing is always lively with conversation, and it is lots of fun.”

Reservations are recommended. To register, call (717) 899-6044 or email rmassie@cpartnerships.com.