As part of the Utah State University Cooperative Extension program, horticulture assistant JoDeane Condrat is teaching a class on Thursday afternoon on Raised-Bed Gardening. And it's free.

If you haven't planted yet, consider raising... you probably should.

Raised garden beds produce close to twice the vegetables and flowers per square foot of ordinary beds. They're built on top of the soil and filled with a compost-enriched soil mixture, which allows growth in areas you usually wouldn't see it.

JoDeane will cover all the pros and cons of the method and tell you how to do it.

12 to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 26 Salt Lake County Government Center, 2001 S. State Street, S1007/8 Click here to pre-register for the course or call 801-468-3179.

Utah State University Extension's other upcoming classes:

Container Gardening: Herbs, FREE 12 p.m. Thursday, June 2 SLCo Gov. Center, 2001 S. State Street, South Building, S1007/8 Click here to register.

Building Strengths for Happier Families, FREE 12 p.m. Thursday, June 9 SLCo Gov. Center, 2001 S. State Street, South Building Click here to register.

Learn to Make Lotions & Potions, FREE 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 28 Taylorsville Library, 4870 S. 2700 West Click here to register.

Store It Right, FREE 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19 Taylorsville Library, 4870 S. 2700 West Click here to register.

Opening the Door to Home Ownership Class, $15

JUNE CLASS: 5 to 9:30 p.m. June 29 and 30, SLCo Gov. Center, 2001 S. State Street, South Building, S1007/8

AUGUST CLASS: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 23 and 24, SLCo Gov. Center, 2001 S. State Street, South Building, S1200

Viva Vegetables Classes: Each from 7 to 8 p.m. every second Wednesday at the West Jordan Library, 1970 W. 7800 South, FREE Click here to register

June 8 - Cucumbers and Jicama July 13 - Green Beans Aug. 10 - Zucchini

Grow It, Eat It, Store It Classes: Each from 12 to 1 p.m. at the SLCo Gov. Center, Rm. S-1007/8, $5 per class, $12 for the whole series

June 28 - Basil and Beans July 12 - Tomatoes and Peppers July 26 - Apricots and Peaches

Pressure Canner Gauge Testing: From 1 to 4 p.m. every Monday in June, July and August except holidays at the SLCo Gov. Center, South Building, Rm. S1200, FREE

Plant Diagnostic Clinics: 1 to 4 p.m. every Monday in June, July and August except holidays at SLCo Gov. Center, South Building, Rm. S1007/8, FREE