Does spring fever have you itching to get out in your garden? I know our phone calls have tripled as the temperatures continue to rise and the majority of the calls are about vegetable gardening.

April is also the time of year when we usually have our last frost. The date is fairly easy to remember, just think of when your taxes are due (April 15) and it is usually OK to start planting. I have seen a few frosts after that date but for the most part we are in the clear once that date has passed.

Another activity that I always do in April is the Annual Seed Swap, Garden Disease and Insect Workshop. This is a great opportunity for new and experienced gardeners to learn more about garden diseases, pests and beneficial insects that we see during the growing season.

I also enjoy the class because we get to swap seeds with each other. I have collected numerous seeds over the years, specifically of heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers, beans, and sometimes, I am even able to get a few flower seeds. It is always fun to get a few seeds and learn how to properly identify pests and some beneficial insects in the garden.

Of course the workshop is a great way to connect in the community and help ensure the continuation of your heritage seeds. Many of the seeds shared have been passed down from generation to generation. So, if you want to start gardening, need to identify disease, pests and the beneficial insects, this workshop may be for you.

The class will be held Thursday, April 30, from 6-7 p.m. at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office, 2727 Old Concord Road. It is free to the public, we just ask you to try and bring seeds to share (they can be any kind and do not have to be heirloom). In the class participants will learn different vegetable diseases, beneficial insects, bad insects and get to swap seeds with each other.

We highly encourage everyone to RSVP. If you would like more information on gardening, learn more about the workshop or you would like to RSVP, call your local Cooperative Extension agent, Danelle Cutting at 704-216-8970.