To help prepare for the fall, I’ll provide a seminar titled “Fall: Florida’s Best Gardening Season” on Tuesday, September 5th. I’ll cover why fall is our best gardening season and encourage participants to take advantage of the season that allows Northwest Florida gardeners to get the most bang for their buck in their lawns, landscapes, and gardens.
Fall should be our busiest gardening season in North Florida.
Many plants only do well when planted during the cooler weather of fall. Fall-planted trees and shrubs have a higher survival rate as compared to those planted in spring. Many nurseries have a better selection of trees during the cooler months. And, nurseries and garden centers could use your business this time of year.
To help prepare for the fall, I’ll provide a seminar titled “Fall: Florida’s Best Gardening Season” on Tuesday, September 5th. I’ll cover why fall is our best gardening season and encourage participants to take advantage of the season that allows Northwest Florida gardeners to get the most bang for their buck in their lawns, landscapes, and gardens. This topic will include information on annuals, perennials, bulbs, vegetables, and herbs to plant during fall. Basic fall lawn care and the reason why trees and shrubs are best planted during fall and early winter will be addressed.
Call the library at 682-4432 or the Okaloosa County Extension Office at 689-5850 for more information.
September’s plant clinic will be held Friday, September 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Fort Walton Beach at the Okaloosa County Extension building, 127 W. Hollywood Blvd.
Here’s how to collect a soil sample.
Collect a composite soil sample by removing sub-samples from ten to fifteen small holes dug throughout the sample area (e.g. the front yard). To obtain the sub-samples, carefully pull back mulch, grass or ground covers to expose bare soil. With a hand trowel or shovel, dig small holes six inches deep and then remove a one inch thick by six-inch deep slice of soil. Combine and mix the subsamples in a clean plastic bucket. Place about two cups of this mixture in a plastic bag or small throwaway plastic container. Close the container. If the soil is wet, let it air dry by spreading it out on newspaper before putting it in the container. Make sure to attach a slip of paper with your name, phone number and where the sample was taken (e.g. lawn, vegetable garden, flower bed, etc.).
