Spring Gardening in East Alabama

Spring Gardening in East Alabama
Instructor: Charles C. Mitchell
Wednesdays, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Jan 21 – Mar 4, 2026 | Sunny Slope Conference Room

The heat, humidity, and long growing season in East Alabama can be both a challenge and an opportunity for gardeners. With attention to timing and care, almost any vegetable can be successfully grown, and a variety of easy-care fruits, trees, and shrubs thrive in this region. This course will explore how to make the most of East Alabama’s climate for productive and sustainable gardening.

Topics include selecting vegetables, fruits, and flowers suited to local conditions; improving soil health; managing nutrients and irrigation; and maintaining lawns, azaleas, and camellias. Classes will combine lecture, discussion, and some hands-on activities, including a field trip to a local garden site. Participants will also gain practical insight into organic versus conventional approaches and how to create eco-friendly landscapes that thrive year-round.

About the Instructor:
Charles C. Mitchell, PhD, is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences at Auburn University, where he served as Extension Agronomist-Soils for 36 years before retiring in 2016. He holds degrees from Birmingham-Southern College (B.S.), Auburn University (M.S.), and the University of Florida (Ph.D.) and previously taught at Clemson University. Dr. Mitchell has taught Master Gardener classes since the program began in Alabama and continues to share his passion for soil, plant nutrition, and sustainable gardening.

Fee Breakdown

Category	Description	Amount
Course Fee (Basic)	None Entered	$ 0.00