A Ghost in the Woods
Imagine you are enjoying perfect fall weather on a hike with your family, when suddenly you come upon a ghost. Translucent white, small and creeping out of the ground behind a tree, you stop and look closer to figure out what it is you’ve just seen. In such an environment, the “ghost” you might come across is the perennial wildflower known as the ghost plant (Monotropa uniflora, also known as Indian pipe). Continue reading to learn more about this mysterious plant!
Start Your Spring Garden Indoors
Get a head start on your spring vegetable garden by planting seed now for some of your favorite spring crops. A great advantage to starting from seed is the seemingly endless number of varieties of your favorite vegetables that are available from online seed companies. You can experiment with new and heirloom varieties. Look to plant several different varieties that will mature at different times, thereby lengthening your harvest season
Buy Seeds Now for Your Spring Garden!
We’re having a cold winter this year and I’m sure the last thing on your mind is your spring garden, but it’s time to start ordering seeds! The spring gardening seed catalogs are now out on garden center magazine racks and it’s tempting to buy everything that looks good in pictures. However, there are a few things to think about when picking out what you want to grow. Click here to find out!
Upcoming Events
Friday, January 26th, 9:00 am, Join UF IFAS Extension Escambia County for Starting Plants from Seed! This program will include information on all the planting techniques in containers so you get a jump start on your edible and ornamental growing season. Learn why growing your own plants from seed can be so rewarding. Please pre-register at https://ufstartingseeds.eventbrite.com or by calling 475-5230. Program will be at UF IFAS Extension Escambia County, 3730 Stefani Road, Cantonment, FL 32533
Saturday, January 27th, 10am to 1pm – Leon County Seed Library Spring 2018 Launch – Stop by the Leon County Main Library (200 W. Park Avenue) to check out vegetable garden seeds for the spring season. UF/IFAS Leon County Extension staff and Master Gardener volunteers will be there with advice and hands-on demonstrations to help you have a bountiful spring harvest. For more information, contact Molly Jameson at 850-606-5219 or mjameson@ufl.edu.
Beginning in February the UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension will offer a series of gardening courses in preparation for the spring season, with topics focused on edibles and recycling. The courses will be taught by Extension Services faculty and Florida Master Gardeners as part of the community programs presented by Myrtle Grove United Methodist Church. Each program will take place on Wednesdays from 6–7 p.m. at Myrtle Grove United Methodist Church, located 1030 N 57th Ave. in Pensacola.
- February 7: Growing Potatoes in Containers
- February 21: Growing Tomatoes in Pots
- February 28: Attractive Edibles
- March 14: Composting on Your Own
- March 28: Growing Citrus
To learn more about the classes or to register, visit https://myrtlegrove.eventbrite.com or call 850-475-5230.
Wednesday, February 7th, 10am to 12pm. Anyone who has gardened for any length of time has seen some strange things in their lawns and landscapes! If you are interested in learning more about these garden oddities, then the Walton County Master Gardeners would like to invite you to attend “What on Earth is That? The Lowdown on Weird Occurrences in the Landscape!”, the latest installment of the Walton County Master Gardeners Lecture Series at the UF/IFAS Walton County Extension Coastal Branch, 70 Logan Ln, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459!
This workshop will feature Walton County Master Gardener Andrea Schnapp and will discuss all manner of interesting landscape occurrences from fairy rings, to witches brooms, to unannounced slime molds! You will get the low-down on all the weirdness of these happenings complete with identifications, explanations and even debunking a few superstitions! Seating is limited, so call (850)-892-8172 to reserve your spot! Cost of the program is $5 (cash or check only) and will include presentation handouts, educational publications, and light refreshments! We hope to see you there!
Saturday, February 10th, 9am to 2pm – The Jackson County Master Gardeners invite you to attend their Shiitake Mushroom Growing Workshop! This event includes learning how to grow shiitake mushrooms on logs and all about the nutritional benefits of mushrooms. Participants will take home an inoculated mushroom log and a home cooked lunch will also be provided. The workshop will be held at the UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Office (2741 Penn Ave, Marianna). Cost of the program is $20. As space is limited, please call (850)-482-9620 or email s.farr@ufl.edu by February 7th to reserve your spot!
Friday, February 16th, 8:30-3:30. Please join Washington County Extension for an informative workshop to about managing insects in fruit & vegetables. You will learn how to identify common insect pests, control insect pests and submit samples for diagnosis from University of Florida / IFAS specialists. Attendees will receive free Insect ID guides and participate in an on-site demonstration! Pesticide CEUs will be available for license holders as well. This workshop is at Washington County Agriculture Center 1424 Jackson Ave., East wing and there is no registration fee! Pre-Registration required for count: Contact Nikki or Cynthia at 850-638-6180 or email Matthew Orwat at mjorwat@ufl.edu
Saturday, February 24th, 9:30am to 1pm EST – The University of Florida/IFAS NFREC and the Gardening Friends of the Big Bend invite you to attend their event “Magnificent Magnolias” at the NFREC, 155 Research Rd, Quincy, FL 32351! Learn about magnolias around the world, the best magnolias for our area, and the role of native magnolias in our Southeastern forests from speakers Andrew Bunting (Chicago Botanic Garden), John Tobe (Tobe Botanic Garden) and Gary Knox (Magnolia Society International). Afterwards, view the many magnolias in our botanic garden and purchase a specimen (or five!) for your garden. Finally, enjoy a complimentary lunch with speakers and other participants! Cost of the program is $10 person ($5 for GFBB members). To register, send names of attendees to friends@ifas.ufl.edu or phone UF/NFREC: 850-875-7105.
