101 Basics: Organic Vegetable Gardening on the Gulf Coast
Schedule
Wed Feb 18 2026 at 12:00 pm to 02:00 pm
UTC-06:00Location
14609 State Highway 59, Foley, AL 36535-2369, United States | Foley, AL
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101 Basics: Organic Vegetable Gardening on the Gulf Coast February 18th Wednesday 12pm-2pm
Cooper Farm Garden Center
Foley, 14609 AL-59, Foley, AL 36535, USA
Tickets: $35.00 includes info packet & gardening gift bag + more
**Due to limited seating, you must purchase a Ticket to RSVP prior to event, see link above.**
A 2-Hour Hands-On Masterclass with Kitti Cooper
Growing vegetables on the Gulf Coast is not the same as gardening anywhere else in the country. Our intense heat, heavy humidity, sandy soils, unpredictable rainfall, hurricane seasons, and year-round pest pressure make success feel overwhelming for many gardeners. This class was created specifically for our coastal growing conditions to give you real, practical solutions that actually work , not generic gardening advice.
In this 2-hour immersive class, Kitti Cooper teaches you the complete foundation of organic vegetable gardening from seed to harvest, with a strong focus on building a productive, sustainable garden that improves every season tailored to our gulf coast climate.
This is not a lecture. This is hands-on education, real techniques, and proven methods built from years of experience growing and teaching on the Gulf Coast.
What You Will Learn:
Seed Starting From Beginning to Transplanting
How to successfully start seeds indoors and outdoors
-The exact soil mixes, containers, moisture levels, and lighting required
-How to prevent damping off, leggy seedlings, and transplant shock
-Understanding germination timing, temperature, and humidity
-How to harden off seedlings properly for our harsh climate
The Tools You Need to Succeed:
-Must-have gardening tools and supplies
-What you don’t need to waste money on
-How to build an efficient, low-stress gardening system at home
When, Where & How to Plant on the Gulf Coast:
-How to read your planting windows for coastal growing
-Which vegetable varieties thrive best in hot, humid conditions
-How to space, feed, and support plants for maximum production
-How to work with , not against our extreme weather
Organic Pest Control: Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs:
-How to identify the most common Gulf Coast pests
-Which insects are beneficial and why you want them in your garden
-How to safely and effectively use organic pesticides
How to prevent infestations before they start
-How to restore balance to your garden ecosystem
Gulf Coast Survival Tips & Garden Tricks:
Managing heat stress and humidity
Dealing with heavy rain, flooding, and drought
Improving sandy soil and building organic matter
Watering strategies that reduce disease and plant loss
Seed Saving for Generational Gardens:
-Why seed saving matters
-How to harvest, dry, store, and reuse seeds
-How saving seeds strengthens your garden year after year
-How to build long-term food security from your own backyard
What You Take Home:
Every student receives a complete take-home gardening package, including:
-Comprehensive Class Info Packet
Packet includes all major lessons covered in class so you're not overwhelmed with all the information in the moment you can take home and reference for years to come.
-Easy-to-follow reference guides
Dedicated space for your own notes and planning
-Gulf Coast Planting Calendar
When to seed start
When to transplant
All tailored to our specific grow zone
-Gardener’s Take-Home Bag
A curated collection of seed packets
-Additional garden goodies (who doesn't love a good grab bag?)
All the resources to get you growing immediately
Meet the Teacher
Kitti Cooper is the owner and lead horticulturist of Cooper Farm Garden Center in Foley, Alabama, and is now in her 10th year of teaching hands-on classes across the Gulf Coast. Her practical teaching style and deep understanding of coastal growing conditions have helped thousands of gardeners succeed where they once struggled.
She writes the bi-weekly gardening column “Cultivating the Coast with Kitti Cooper” for Gulf Coast Media, and has served as a gardening expert for Southern Living Magazine and Martha Stewart.
Her work blends science, experience, and heart , creating gardeners who grow with confidence, independence, and joy.
Who This Class Is For
This class is perfect for:
-First-time gardeners or anyone new to the area trying to learn our climate.
-Families & homeschool groups (we offer discounts to homeschool kids age 18 and under, shoot us a message!)
-Anyone who’s failed before and wants real answers.
-Homeowners, renters, teachers, and community leaders. (We offer teacher discounts!)
-Anyone who wants to grow healthier food organically or just wants to cut grocery costs.
No experience required , just curiosity and a desire to learn.
We know growing on the Gulf Coast can feel hard , but with the right knowledge, tools, and timing, you will succeed. This class gives you the clarity, confidence, and resources to build a thriving organic garden that improves every season and feeds your family for years to come.
Classes are located in the old little yellow house located at the Garden Center at 14609 state highway 59 Foley, AL.
Classroom has AC/Heat, we welcome drinks or food and whatever else make this 2 hour master class comfortable for you!
We lend out pens and clipboards for easy note taking but your own notebook is always welcome!
Seats are limited to 20 to allow everyone able to ask any and all questions! Due to this tickets are not refundable but can be transferred to future classes.
Use coupon code 'GROWYOUTH" to receive $10 off a ticket for anyone 18 and under! For more than two kids you will need to check out with separate tickets.
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Where is it happening?
14609 State Highway 59, Foley, AL 36535-2369, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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