Learn what soil pH means, how to read at-home soil tests, and natural ways to improve garden soil for healthier plants and better harvests. Organic Growers School shares practical tips for understanding acidity, nutrients, and long-term soil health.

Longer dry periods and unpredictable weather are becoming increasingly common almost everywhere, but resilient gardens are built on more than constant watering. Learn practical, research-backed strategies for conserving moisture, improving soil health, reducing plant stress, and helping your garden withstand drought conditions naturally.

Explore the Cooking Track at OGS’s 2026 Spring Conference—hands-on classes blending regional food history, local crops, and practical cooking skills.

Learn how to prepare and protect coldframes for winter, from crop selection and timing to structural support, snow-load strategies, and irrigation winterization. Practical, research-based guidance for resilient winter growing.

Ask OGS: Learn how and when to plant garlic, plus tips on soil prep, fall planting, harvesting, and choosing varieties like softneck, hardneck, and elephant garlic.

Learn how to plan and grow a thriving fall garden in Western North Carolina — tips on crops, planting times, soil prep, frost protection & organic pest control from OGS.

When Hurricane Helene tore through WNC last year, Springhouse Farm in Vilas lost crops, soil, and infrastructure. Yet out of devastation came resilience. With the support of neighbors, students, and fellow farmers, Springhouse rebuilt stronger and more connected than before. This is their story of recovery and community.

Organic Growers School answers your questions about Japanese beetle control. Learn organic, non-chemical strategies—handpicking, milky spore, traps, neem oil, row covers, beneficial insects, and more—for protecting your garden from Japanese beetles.

Ahead of their CRAFT Farm Tour on June 8, we interviewed Liz and Tom Elmore to talk about their unique farming model, their use of renewable energy systems, and their commitment to building a future where small farms play a big role.

Discover how to prevent and manage early and late blight in organic tomatoes, including expert tips on mulching, copper fungicides, drip irrigation, and disease-resistant varieties, for growers in Western North Carolina.

Grow healthier potatoes by rotating crops, selecting disease-resistant varieties, and using companion plants like dill and alyssum to attract beneficial insects. Prevent common potato pests and blight with smart spacing and soil care.

Maximize your garden’s potential by growing what you eat most, choosing seasonal crops, and making the most of small spaces. Smart garden planning supports a more sustainable, local food lifestyle.