Mastering Nightshades and Cucurbits

In the food garden, summer wouldn’t be summer without nightshades and cucurbits. These plant groups include some of our favourite garden crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, zucchinis and pumpkins. By understanding their unique growing requirements, common challenges, and best practices, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of cultivating these productive plants. 

This one hour Master Class session delivered by Karen Sutherland, will cover –  

• Introduction to Nightshades and Cucurbits Overview of Nightshade Family (Solanaceae) and their general needs with soil preparation and nutrient needs, optimal planting times, approach and conditions as well as watering needs.  
• Focus on specific common nightshades: tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, chilly and potatoes.   
• Overview of Cucurbit Family (Cucurbitaceae) and their general needs with soil preparation and nutrient needs, optimal planting times, approach and conditions as well as watering needs.  
• Focus on specific common cucurbits: cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, zucchini and melons.

During the focus section we will be going over some of the following -   practical tips on seed starting and seedling transplanting techniques,  companion planting considerations,  common pests and diseases and how to deal with them,   general maintenance to encourage plant health and longevity  surprise knowledge that will make all the difference.

By the end of this Master Class you'll have the knowledge and confidence to successfully grow nightshades and cucurbits, ensuring a productive and enjoyable gardening experience this summer. 

This session is one of four in a Masterclass Series "Mastering Food Families". Other topics include –Crop Rotation and the Role of Legumes; Mastering Brassicas and Alliums; Mastering Roots and Beets. Book the Series Package for discount. Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professional (GGPs) receive a 30% discount.

Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) is a not-for-profit non-government organiation dedicated to achieving a healthy biodiverse planet.

Its driving purpose is to:

• Encourage, educate and enable home and professional gardeners to adopt sustainable gardening practices to protect or enhance the natural environment;
• Provide information, education and undertake research about the natural environment;
• Reconnect people to the natural world through gardening; and
• Ensure an understanding of the impacts that gardening decisions about chemical and resource use have on the natural environment well beyond their neighbourhood.