"Hotline" from the Union of Horticulturalists

      Gardening is not just a hobby, but a real science that requires knowledge and skills. For 15 years, a unique educational project has been operating in the Kirov Region — the Horticultural School, initiated by Oleg Valenchuk, a State Duma deputy and chairman of the Russian Horticultural Union.

      From autumn to spring, the Horticultural School hosts free classes where leading Kirov agronomists share the latest achievements in soil science, breeding, and the development of drugs against diseases and pests. This knowledge helps not only to improve yields, but also to make the gardening process more efficient and safer.

      For two years now, lectures have been available online, and classes attract tens of thousands of participants. Students actively take notes so that they can refer to the notes at any time and recall important tips. However, even the most experienced gardeners face new challenges every season, and at such times they need support.

      That's why the Horticultural School canceled the summer holidays. From May to October, agronomists stay in touch and are ready to answer gardeners' questions online. Participants can send their questions with photos and videos to the official groups of the Kirov branch of the Union of Gardeners on social networks VKontakte and Odnoklassniki. This innovation has become a real salvation for many who are faced with problems in their areas.

      The first online consultations, which began in April, aroused great interest. Gardeners ask questions about why onions and garlic turn yellow, how to get rid of excess seedlings, or how to deal with moles and ants. The answers to these and many other questions can already be found on social media in short videos that are regularly recorded by the School's regular lecturer, Nikolai Baryshev, an employee of the breeding company. He shares relevant tips, taking into account the weather conditions and the current problems of gardeners.

      – The Gardening school has become not only an educational platform, but also a real community where people can share experiences and find support. New varieties and hybrids are emerging, the climate is changing, and pests are developing resistance to old drugs... Therefore, it is important to have access to up–to-date information," says Oleg Valenchuk, the founder of the School. – Now, when gardeners have a hot time and there is no time to listen to long lectures, the format of short questions and answers on the most relevant topics is the most in demand. I am sure that this kind of "hotline" from the Union of Horticulturists will be useful to everyone who cultivates their native land with love.