Media Release

​ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Environmental & Community Horticulture Programs for May 2017. These programs are being offered by Dr. Denise DeBusk, Environmental & Community Horticulture Agent, at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office (2800 N.E. 39th Avenue, Gainesville).

Florida-Friendly Landscaping Series: Protect the Waterfront – May 4, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Participants learn what happens when the waterfront is not protected and what can be done to protect it from environmental concerns. The class will include a soil erosion demonstration and an activity where participants select plants that work around waterfronts. Participants will receive handbooks and materials.

Registration cost is $5. Participants can register online (for an additional fee). There are no refunds for registration costs. This class is limited to 30 participants.

Maintaining Your Citrus – May 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Participants learn to maintain delicious oranges, tangerines, lemons and grapefruit trees. The class also covers variety selection, fertilization, freeze protection, and pest control. Participants will create a management plan for their citrus.

Registration cost is $5. Participants can register online (for an additional fee). There are no refunds for registration costs. This class is limited to 30 participants.

Planting & Maintaining Trees & Shrubs – May 20, from 8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at the  2017 Ag Fest & Master Gardener Plant Sale

Participants learn how to plant and successfully establish plants, shrubs, and trees. The workshop topics include proper planting, fertilizing, watering, and pruning.

This workshop is free, and participants do not need to register.

Growing Blueberries – May 20, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the 2017 Ag Fest & Master Gardener Plant Sale

Alachua County is one of the top blueberry producing counties in the state. Participants learn to grow rabbit eye blueberries. This class covers planning, fertilizing, and pruning. This class is taught by Jeff Popowski, Master Gardener.

This class is free, and participants do not need to register.

Manage Yard Pests Responsibly – May 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Participants learn about the pests and diseases that can plague a landscape and what can be done about them. Participants will develop an integrated pest management plan for tackling their most common pests.

Registration cost is $5. Participants can register online (for an additional fee). There are no refunds for registration costs. This class is limited to 30 participants.

Introduction to the Master Gardener Volunteer Program – May 30, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Those interested in becoming an UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Master Gardener volunteers learn more about the program and what it takes to become a Master Gardener.

This class is free, but participants must register online.

For more information about these programs call 352-955-2402. Visit the Extension Office Calendar for additional programs offered by the Extension Office.

An Equal Opportunity Institution. Extension Service, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Nick T. Place, Dean. Single copies of Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county Extension offices. Information about alternate formats is available from IFAS Communications, University of Florida, PO Box 110810, Gainesville, FL 32611-0810.