Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Environmental Horticulture Programs, for April 2010. These programs are offered by Wendy Wilber, Environmental Horticulture Agent.

• Florida-Friendly Landscaping  "Made in the Shade" - April 14, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville).

Establishing a tree canopy is a great way to begin your Florida-Friendly Yard. Trees not only provide shade and wildlife habitat, but they also help to reduce stormwater runoff. Learn to make plant choices and techniques for creating a shade garden with low maintenance plants. Pre-register by calling 352-337-6209.

• Growing Fruit in North Central Florida - April 16, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the High Springs Branch Library (135 NW 1 Avenue, High Springs).

Developing and maintaining a successful home orchard requires special horticultural skills. A well-designed and well-managed home orchard can furnish both fine fruit and pleasant hours of gardening. This class describes the various types of orchard fruits, their suitability to the Florida home orchard, and the process involved in raising a home orchard. Pre-register by calling 352-337-6209.

• Florida-Friendly Landscaping  "Pruning" - April 28, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville).

Pruning is selectively removing parts of a plant to improve plant health, control growth or enhance fruiting, flowering or appearance. Learn correct techniques and timing for hand pruning shrubs and perennials in your landscape. UF�s Erin Alvarez brings her expertise to this class. Erin is a landscape instructor for the Environmental Horticulture department in Gainesville. Pre-register by calling 352-337-6209.

There is no cost to attend these classes.

For more information about any of these programs, call 352-955-2402. For other gardening classes visit http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml.

All Extension Programs and Services are open to all without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin or handicap.  For persons requiring special accommodations, please contact the Extension office at (352) 955-2402 (voice) or TDD/TYY (352) 955-2406 or at the Alachua County Extension Service, 2800 NE 39^th Avenue, Gainesville, FL  32609.  Please contact the Extension Office at least five working days prior to the program so that proper consideration may be given to the request.