Upcoming horticulture events for September

When you plant trees and shrubs, you are planting the future – good or bad. Learning how to choose the right plants for Northwest Florida and how to get them in the ground correctly can prevent many future problems, including short-lived plants or possibly total failure.

The final plant clinic for 2018 will be held Friday, September 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

If you have a plant problem that you would like diagnosed, bring a sample of the weed, plant, insect, etc., to the clinic. Be sure to bring a fresh sample that represents what is seen in the landscape. This may include a plant stem with several leaves, a 4-inch square of grass with roots attached, etc. You may also bring a sample of your soil for pH testing. 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). With a hand trowel or shovel, remove small slices of soil about one to two inches thick by six inches deep. Combine and mix these slices/sub-samples in a clean bucket. Place about two cups of this mixture in a plastic bag or small throwaway 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, flowerbed, etc.).

On Wednesday, September 19 at 10 a.m., join us for an hour-long seminar titled Landscaping with Trees and Shrubs. Sheila Dunning, Commercial Horticulture Agent with the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Okaloosa County, will be the presenter.

When you plant trees and shrubs, you are planting the future – good or bad. Learning how to choose the right plants for Northwest Florida and how to get them in the ground correctly can prevent many future problems, including short-lived plants or possibly total failure. By applying the techniques that Sheila will share, homeowners can improve their success in creating and maintaining an attractive Florida-friendly landscape.

There is no cost to attend this seminar but space is limited. Please call (850) 689-5850 to reserve your seat.

Okaloosa County Master Gardeners will hold their Fall Plant Sale from 8 to 11 a.m. on September 22. They have 1,500 plants in their inventory, including plants that attract butterflies and other pollinators, Florida native plants and Florida-friendly plants.

Please note that they can only take cash and checks. Prices are $5 for one-gallon plants or five for $20.

Proceeds will be used by Okaloosa County Master Gardeners in providing their educational programs for the public.

All three of these events will be held at the Okaloosa County Extension Annex located at 127 NW Hollywood Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach.

Larry Williams is the Extension horticulture agent with the Okaloosa County Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida. Contact Larry at 689-5850 or email lwilliams@myokaloosa.com.