Part I, February 16:
Gardening in Southwest Florida requires unique knowledge as it is the only state in the continental U.S. that is in USDA growing zone 10. This class is designed to provide gardeners with all the tools to un-learn previous gardening experiences and command the exciting world of tropical gardening in less than perfect soil. Part I will cover plant taxonomy, plant reproduction, working with SW Florida weather challenges, understanding the differences between native plants and ornamental plants and recognizing invasive plants. Palm trees will also be discussed, and a great list of resources will be provided. Classroom time: 90 minutes.
Part II, February 23:
The second program will dive deep into some of the important elements of becoming a successful gardener in SW Florida. State programs such as the Florida Friendly Gardening and Master Gardener Volunteer program will be covered. Additional topics include how to use fertilizers and soil amendments, common pest recognition and chemical and biologic controls, common weed identification, good irrigation and draining techniques, selecting plants for the Southwest Florida landscape, and a recommended reading or resource list will be provided. Classroom time: 90 minutes.
Cost: $50 Members; $75 non-members for both classes; each class individually: $35 members; $50 mon-members. Pre-registration for both is required before the commencement of Part I for the cost discount. Both classes are not required, but recommended.
Click here to register.