PLANT CITY —
Plant City Garden Club members enjoy sharing their love of gardening with local youngsters.
So, a recent Hillsborough County Extension Service seminar on Florida-friendly plants was a perfect fit for the club, as it nurtures a love for plants in local elementary schools.
“We’re introducing third-graders to gardening, and I’m gathering knowledge and passion I can pass along to them,” said Nancy Wright, a Garden Club member who attended the seminar.
Wright and other club members have worked extensively with Plant City-area elementary schools, particularly Jackson and Robinson, former club president Cassandra Banning said. Club members place a particular emphasis on teaching students how to grow Florida-friendly plants without the use of pesticides, so the seminar Wright attended was ideal, Banning said.
Wright, whom Banning said is one of the most active club members with its schools program, will now be able to pass along what she learned to the students.
“She does a lot with the junior gardeners,” Banning said. “She takes a very active role with them and takes a lot of time working in the schools.”
The seminar drew more than 200, a switch from the 30 or so folks who showed up for the class the last time it was offered two years ago.
The uptick has a lot to do with the lousy economy, said Lynn Barber, extension agent for Florida-friendly landscaping.
With the bad economy, more and more people are interested in gardening activities that help them understand how to grow their own vegetables, Barber said. “They’re also planting more fruit trees and herbs.”
Master gardeners Carol Fanella and Adrienne Desesco told the packed house they easily grew enough green onions, carrots, strawberries, peas, spinach and broccoli to get them through the winter season.
But, they warned that not every variety works in central Florida, and gardeners should consult the University of Florida’s variety guide before planting.
Rick Fernandez of Tampa Heights said he is eager to try his hand at vegetable gardening.
“I came so I could learn how to plant vegetables in a small space,” said Maryellen Zapf of Lutz. “As president of the Tampa Garden Club, I’m always looking for ideas to share.”
Out in the teaching garden, Myrtle Cail of Brandon had a steady stream of customers purchasing her “backyard bling” handmade garden decorations made from dishes and stemware.
Just inside, Carl Moro of Apopka explained to gardeners how to fertilize their vegetable gardens with earthworm castings.
Although this seminar occurs only once every other year, the extension office offers classes in all types of gardening throughout the year — from mulching and rain barrel use to vermiculture. To learn more, visit http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu.
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