Media Release

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

• "Compost the Most" series
  This series of three sessions is presented by Wendy Wilber, Environmental Horticulture Agent and Jenny Seitz, Public Education Coordinator, Alachua County Waste Alternatives.  The series will instruct backyard and aspiring composters on how to effectively compost (Composting reduces the amount of yard waste taken off-site and is an important part of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program).
  
  Participants should plan on attending all three sessions.
  • Session 1: Composting Introduction  April 29th, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Alachua County Extension Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville)
  • Session 2: Compost in Alachua County  Tours to local composting sites in and around the County. May 1st, 10 a.m., departing from the Alachua County Extension Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville)
  • Session 3: Composting Trouble Shooting May 6th, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Alachua County Extension Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville)
    
    Pre-register by calling 352-337-6209. 
    
    
• Vegetable Garden Trouble Shooting - May 5, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville)
  
  This class will help identify what can go wrong in your home garden (including insect, disease, poor soil and weather conditions) and how to make corrections in your existing garden.  Pre-register by calling 352-337-6209.
  
  
• Plants to Attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies to Your Garden - May 15, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Tower Road Branch Library (3020 SW 25 Street, Gainesville)
  
  This class will introduce plant selections that will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. Pre-register by calling 352-337-6209.
  
  
• Perennials for Your Landscape & Butterfly Garden - May 19, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville)
  
  This class will introduce perennial plant selections to attract butterflies to your garden. Topics include site selection, water requirements, and the butterfly life cycle. Pre-register by calling 352-337-6209.
  
  
• Florida-Friendly Landscaping  "Made in the Shade" - May 24, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Downtown Headquarters Library (401 East University Avenue, Gainesville)
  
  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.

 There is no cost to attend these classes.

For more information about any of these programs, call 352-955-2402. For other gardening classes, click here.

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.