Area residents get to check out a variety of gardens in a weekly tour called Local Flavor. The program spotlights all types of gardeners and visits to community gardens and urban farms in Youngstown. (Submitted photo)

Spring is here and summer is on the way. The weather says nay, but we say yea.

The OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Mahoning County are getting ready for some of our summer events. They are ready to plant vegetables and flowers and teach others how to grow great tasting vegetables and beautiful flowers.

They have been doing several community-based programs for years, including Local Flavor and Good Nature Garden Partners.

Local Flavor is a program that focuses on all types of gardeners and is open to the public. Our garden summer tours consist of weekly visits to community gardens and urban farms in Youngstown. During the summer, we share ideas with others to grow a better garden. Topics during the tours emphasize proper growing practices, identifying weeds, tips and tricks, the importance of soil, organic production, and more to help your own garden be a success.

You can walk around with the group or bring your lawn chairs for a seat. Bring a journal or notebook to jot down new ideas. Oh, do not forget those weeds or diseased plants and bugs. The group works together to identify the culprit so you can get on with the growing season.

The Local Flavor tours are held every Monday evening at 6 p.m. starting on June 7 and going through Aug. 16.

While we will talk about soil testing, the best method for evaluating the soil is a lab test. You can have your soil tested by contacting the Mahoning County Extension office. We can provide factsheets that will tell you how to grow different vegetables and flowers.

Good Natured Garden Partners (GNGP) is an enjoyable program for all but is focused on youth gardening.

GNGP is a collaboration with school and youth programs across the Mahoning Valley. Youth team up with and adult to form a “growing team” that work together to plant and harvest vegetables, herbs and flowers. Teams could be sponsored by a community organization. These teams will participate in Local Flavor on Monday evenings in the summer, and then compete for prizes and recognition at the Youth Garden Party in August.

Good Natured Garden Partners strive foster positive youth development and bring about positive relationships. We work with teams to develop a sense of ownership and generate an appreciation of plants. The youth learn about food production by growing their own things. It is amazing to watch new youths bite into that first tomato or green bean they grew themselves. We have competition at the end of the season for various requirement to meet the challenge.

For more information or to register, please check http://go.osu.edu/GNGP.