Media Release

3:13 p.m.

ALACHUA COUNTY - The Alachua County Extension Office is pleased to offer the following gardening classes to start off 2008.

All classes will be presented by Wendy Wilber, Alachua County Horticulture Extension Agent.  Call (352) 955-2402 or (352) 337-6209 (voicemail) to register for any or all of these classes.

Great Gainesville Gardening Course

Gardening & Landscaping in Gainesville can be unique. These classes will help participants have a great yard with minimum environmental impact. Classes will be held at the Alachua County Extension Office, 2800 NE 39th Ave. in Gainesville, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Courses include:

• Invasive Plants and Alternatives - January 23, 2008. This free class will teach participants how to identify problem plants in their landscape and how to replace them with Florida friendly plants.

• Raised Bed Square Foot Gardening - February 6, 2008. This free class will cover creating and using raised beds for vegetable gardening.

• Selecting Shrubs and Trees - February 20, 2008. This free class will teach participants about Florida friendly shrubs and trees for North Central Florida.

• Perennials for the Butterfly Garden - March 5, 2008. This free class will teach participants to select great perennials to attract butterflies and caterpillars.

Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Landscaping Program

January 25, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Alachua County Extension Office, 2800 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville.

This class will cover the ins and outs of creating a Florida Friendly Yard. Participants will learn how to create a landscape that conserves water, looks great, and is easy to take care of.  Invasive plants will also be covered in this class.

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