Gardeners pile into 'Florida-friendly' seminar

By YVETTE C. HAMMETT | The Tampa Tribune
Published: August 29, 2012 Updated: August 29, 2012 - 12:00 AM

SEFFNER --

Fanatical gardeners and occasional dabblers packed into the Hillsborough County Extension Office recently for a short course on how to make their yards more "Florida-friendly."

The real draw may have been classes on ways to grow your own vegetables and herbs among the fire bush and fountain grass.

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.

That is exactly the kind of information Nancy Wright came looking for.

The Dover resident is a member of the Plant City Garden Club, which has adopted several area schools.

"We're introducing third-graders to gardening and I'm gathering knowledge and passion I can pass along to them," she said.

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.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tbo/brandon/~3/WRKx7dIYLWg/

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