City Gardener Program
The Purdue Extension-Marion County City Gardener Program was developed in 2002 for new or inexperienced gardeners. It covers a variety of gardening topics and has a focus on gardening in urban areas. The current program offers a series of classes. You can attend one session or the whole series. A Purdue Extension City Gardener Program certificate is awarded to those who attend all six sessions.
Topics included in the program are:
-How a Plant Grows
-Soil & Fertilizers
-Pests & Pest Management
-Tree & Shrub Selection & Care
-Weed Identification & Control
-Lawn Care
-Vegetable Gardening
-Animal Damage Management
-Annual & Perennial Flowers
Next Class
A program was completed in May 2013. The next series of classes will be in 2014.
2013 Registration Information
2013 City Gardener Program Schedule and Registration Form
Results of 2012 City Gardener Program
Location of Class: Discovery Hall, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN 46205
If you wish to be placed on a list to receive future class registration information via e-mail when it becomes available, please contact Debbie Schelske and ask to be placed on the City Gardener Program e-mail list.
If you would like to participate in the City Gardener program and have special needs, please contact Steve Mayer prior to the session (317-275-9290).
City Gardener Class Resources
2013 Class Presentation Slides (must have current password to open)
Session 1 (April 3, 2013): Plant Growth, Soil, Composting, Fertilizers
Session 2 (April 10, 2013): Vegetable Gardening
Session 3 (April 17, 2013): Pests, Pesticides, Insects, Diseases, Weeds & Animals
Session 4 (April 24, 2013): Selection & Maintenance of Flowers & Other Herbaceous Plants
Session 5 (May 16): Lawn Planting & Care
Session 6 (May 8, 2013): Tree & Shrub Selection, Planting & Care
Websites for More Information
Session 1
Soil Sampling & Testing, Purdue
Managing Yard Wastes - Clippings & Compost, Purdue, ID-182
Composting to Reduce the Waste Stream, NRAES (large 19.7MB PDF)
Purdue MG Links, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6
Session 2
Purdue Vegetable Gardening Tips, Purdue
Purdue Master Gardener Vegetable Encyclopedia, Purdue
Urban/Community Gardening (IndyUrbanGarden.org), Purdue
Managing Insects in the Home Vegetable Garden, Purdue, E-21
Common Diseases in the Home Garden, University of Missouri Extension
Food Safety for School and Community Gardens (NC Extension)
Purdue MG Links, Chapters 7, 13
Session 3
Plant & Pest Problems, Purdue
Entomology Publications, Purdue
Plant Pathology Publications, Purdue
Master Gardener Guide to Common Lawn & Garden Weeds, Purdue
Weed Control Publications, Purdue
Preventing Wildlife Damage - Do You Need a Permit?, Purdue, FNR-404
Wildlife Conflicts Information Website, Purdue, IDNR, USDA
Conflicts with Wildlife Around the Home, Purdue, PPP-46
Pesticide Publications, Purdue
Purdue MG Links, Chapters 15 through 25
Session 4
Growing Annual Flowers, Purdue, HO-99
Annual Flowers, Purdue, HO-80
Growing Perennial Flowers, Purdue, HO-61
Recommended Perennial Flowers, Purdue, HO-79
Flowering Bulbs, Purdue, HO-86
Ornamental Grasses, Purdue HO-219
Plant Information, Purdue
Flower Garden Pests, Purdue, E-70
Disease Resistant Annuals and Perennials, Purdue, ID-414
Disease Control in the Landscape, Ohio State, B-614
Purdue MG Links, Chapter 9
Session 5
Purdue Lawn Publications, Purdue
Purdue MG Links, Chapter 11
Session 6
Plant Information, Purdue
Purdue MG Links, Chapter 10
It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action institution. This material may be available in alternative formats.