BOULDER - The Boulder-based nonprofit Growing Gardens is offering gardening classes for beginners this spring for the sixth straight year.

Growing Gardens will hold two introductory organic-gardening classes. Introduction to Gardening I focuses on crop selection, companion planting, soil preparation, seed starting and transplanting.

Introduction to Gardening II stresses soil fertility and helps gardeners incorporate healthy soil techniques into their gardens. Participants also learn to make and use compost and compost tea, and the importance of cover crops to improve soil health, garden productivity and efficiency.

Introduction to Gardening I will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, and Introduction to Gardening II will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 6. Each class costs $35 and meets at Growing Garden's Greenhouse, 1630 Hawthorne Ave., Boulder.

Classes are taught by Connor Murphy, a market garden grower who is well-versed in growing food in the Front Range's climate.

For more information, contact Annie Sweeney at 303-443-9952, extension 2, or annie@growinggardens.org.