Although I've been growing flowers longer than I'll admit, I started trying to grow food just a few years ago. Where did I turn to get up to speed on fruit and veggie growing? The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

The Cooperative Extension is Information Central for all aspects of Northern Nevada gardening, which is why I've had a link to it here forever and why you should consider signing up for its "Grow Your Own!" classes if you've been thinking about growing your own food.

From a UNCE news release:

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has eight new “Grow Your Own!” classes to help you get on the path to sustainable, local, healthy living.

Beginning in February and ending in late March, UNCE offices in Carson City, Duck Valley, Elko, Ely, Eureka, Fallon, Hawthorne, Logandale, Reno, Winnemucca and Yerington will return with the ever-popular “Grow Your Own!” series, providing gardeners and health buffs in the Silver State with a “back-to-the-basics guide to great harvests in Nevada.”

Schedule

• Feb. 8: What to do with all those seed catalogs
• Feb. 15: Greenhouse growing
• Feb. 22: Raised-bed gardening
• Feb. 29: Edible landscaping
• March 7: Training and pruning fruit trees
• March 14: From anise to yarrow: growing herbs
• March 21: Saving seeds from your garden
• March 28: Preserving your harvest

“Anyone can become a better gardener by attending these classes,” said Horticulture Specialist Heidi Kratsch. “From the beginner to the advanced gardener, everyone can benefit from a Grow Your Own class.”

Extension experts will touch on seed storing, raised-flower-bed construction, best practices for growing delicious herbs and vegetables, and the benefits of low-cost, high-yield greenhouses and hoop houses.

“Hoop houses are really taking off here,” Kratsch said. “Some Nevadans who built hoop houses last season are reaping the benefits of this warm, dry winter by growing some of their foods year-round.”

To register for any and all of the upcoming “Grow Your Own!” classes, contact Ashley Andrews at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension Office at (775) 784-4848.

The class fee for Reno residents is $15, or $60 to register for all eight classes.

Class fees in other locations may vary. Carson City, Duck Valley, Elko, Ely, Eureka, Fallon, Lovelock, Pahrump, Winnemucca, Tonopah and Yerington residents should contact their local Cooperative Extension office for information on attending the series in those locations.