Feature Article - for release the week of February 24, 2008

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent

Okeechobee Spring Gardening Short Course

A few weeks ago I announced that a class of Florida Master Gardeners was about to begin here in town.  Many people expressed interest in the training, but for various reasons, the response was not enough to hold a class this spring.  A number of folks that work in the schools were very interested, so I plan to grow our next crop of Master gardeners this summer when school is out.

However, the show will still go on.  Here’s why: your Extension office now has the ability to offer videoconferences.  Local residents can take advantage of these experts and learn about Florida Friendly landscaping from the best-known experts in the Sunshine state.

You are invited to watch, listen in, and participate in any of these classes here in our office.  Interactive broadcasts will be presented on seven Wednesdays, from February 27 to April 23.  These are the same quality programs that are used in Master Gardener Training. 

They are especially for you if you are new to South Florida and want to learn how gardening is different here, or, if you are a gardener who wants to move up a notch in knowledge.  And if you have been thinking about becoming a Master Gardener, but are unable to make a commitment right now, you can sample some of the information and get a head start on our next MG class!

All classes begin at 9:30 a.m. except for the first week. The after-lunch sessions end no later than 2:00 p.m.  Lunch is on your own, brown bags are OK!  Here is a list of the days and topics to be presented:

 *       February 27 (10 a.m.)  Plant Pests, both insects and weeds.  After lunch, Landscape Pitfalls.

 *       March 5: Plant Pests, both nematodes and plant diseases. After lunch Additional Plant Pathology and Mistaken Identities—a program about pests and non-pest problems in the landscapes

 *       March 12: Pesticides, Soils and Fertilizers with Nutrients and after lunch Integrated Pest Management (IPM).  IPM is a method of watching for pests, treating them early, and with the least harmful method—saving the strong methods for when they are really needed.

 *       On March 19: Our own Dan Culbert will teach Botany live from Okeechobee.  After lunch, the basic principles of Florida Yards & Neighborhoods and Trees in the Landscape are to be presented.     

 *       March 26:  is an open week - local topics may be announced.

 *       April 2:  Florida Vegetable Gardening with presentations on Dooryard Fruit, both Temperate and Tropical in the afternoon.

 *       April 9 is another open week - local topics to be announced.

 *       April 16 is about Wildlife: Creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat and also Nuisance Wildlife and What to do about it.

 *       April 23 (9:30 until 2) Florida Lawns and their care will be the last program in the series.

 All classes are taught by University of Florida Extension faculty and accompanied by useful printed information.  At each class an Okeechobee County Extension staff member will also be present.

You can attend as many or as few as you wish,  but you MUST pre-register at least one week before the scheduled conference by calling 863-763-6469 or by emailing the Extension office. There is no cost to attend one or two classes.  Those persons wishing to receive a Short Course Completion Certificate need to provide a $25.00 class fee to cover course materials and should plan to attend 4 of the 7 classes. Special needs of registered attendees can be reasonably accommodated if they contact our office at least 5 working days prior to the program. We can be reached by phone at 1-863-763-6469, by fax at 1-863-763-6745, or by email at okeechobee@ufl.edu.

I’ve placed more information on our Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.  If you need additional information on this gardening Short Course, please email or call us.  Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 3 PM on Tuesday afternoons.  Go Gators!

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 The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida.  Larry A.  Arrington, Dean.  Last update: 02/25/2008.  This page is maintained by Dan Culbert