Backyard to bounty: free gardening workshop series coming to Socorro

Residents interested in growing their own food will soon have an opportunity to learn the basics of gardening through a new workshop series hosted by the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service in Socorro County.

Emily Bruton, the county’s agriculture and natural resources extension agent, is launching a five-part workshop series titled “Backyard to Bounty: Gardening Made Simple.” The program is designed primarily for beginning gardeners, though participants of all experience levels are welcome.

The series begins March 31 and will continue every other Tuesday through May 26 from noon to 2 p.m. Sessions will be held at the Socorro County Extension Office in the County Annex Building.

“The goal is to take people from the very beginning stages of planning their garden all the way through harvesting and preserving what they grow,” Bruton said.

Each workshop will focus on a different stage of the gardening process. The first session will cover garden planning and soil health basics. The second workshop will feature guest speaker Dr. Stephanie Walker, an NMSU Extension vegetable specialist, who will discuss when and how to plant a successful first crop.

Later sessions will focus on water conservation strategies for gardening in New Mexico’s dry climate, as well as troubleshooting common plant diseases and pest problems. Dr. Philip Lujan, an extension specialist involved with the NMSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic, will lead the workshop on plant health.

The final session will focus on harvesting and safely preserving garden produce. A guest extension agent from Valencia County will demonstrate preservation methods such as freezing and water-bath canning.

Participants who attend the series will also receive gardening supplies to help them get started at home, including items such as raised-bed kits and drip irrigation systems.

The workshop is free and lunch will be provided, but space is limited to the first 30 people who register. Interested participants can sign up online at the Socorro County Extension website.

Bruton said the program was created in response to a community needs assessment conducted in late 2025, which revealed strong local interest in gardening education.

“People in the community told us they wanted to learn more about gardening, so this is our response to that,” she said. “Hopefully this will be the first of many programs related to gardening.”

Beyond producing fresh vegetables, Bruton said gardening offers a wide range of benefits.

“There’s research showing that gardening helps reduce stress and improve mental health,” she said. “It’s also a great way for families to spend time together and for kids to learn where their food comes from. And of course, it helps improve access to fresh, healthy produce.”

For now, Bruton says the best way the community can support the program is simply by attending.

“We just hope people will come out, enjoy the workshops and share their interests with us,” she said. “That helps guide what programs we offer in the future.”