Summertime, and the Learning is Easy

The Garden Club may be on summer break, but we all need a little help from time to time.  The County Extension Center has horticultural programs and plant clinics to help you diagnose a plant problem or learn a new skill.  Some are at the Extension Center and others are right in the Switzerland-Fruit Cove area. Click the Read More link below for the rest of this article.





For instance, the Bartram Trail Library hosts two plant clinics a month from May through October.  One clinic is held on the third Thursday and the other is the third Saturday of the month from 10AM - noon.  Volunteer Master Gardeners provide free advice for walk-in questions; bring a sample of the problem plant or show them a picture if possible.  They also accept soil samples - a free analysis will be mailed to you.  Soil sample instructions are at solutionsforyourlife.com.  Be sure to double-check the library calendar before coming - the clinic is run by volunteers!  If you cannot get to a clinic, you can call the County Extension Center (904) 209-0430 Monday-Friday from 9AM-noon to speak with a volunteer Master Gardener.

The Extension Center holds regular free or low-cost classes on a variety of horticultural subjects.  They also publish a monthly newsletter you can have mailed to you for a nominal cost.  Don't forget the library has gardening books available for checkout. These items are available to gardeners even when you can't get to a class or clinic.  Find out how to take advantage of them by going to Plant Clinic Resources   More information is at www.FirstCoastFlora.info

And here's an idea: Become a Master Gardener.  Do you like to garden and to learn about gardening?  Are you interested in volunteering for activities that promote science-based horticulture and help county residents apply this knowledge (like the classes and clinics mentioned above)?  Then you are Master Gardener material!  Fill out an application for the free learning program (10-weeks of 6-hour classes) and return it by JULY 9!  You will be required to volunteer 75 hours of your time to help the county extension service each year, and you'll need to take 10 hours of continuing education (which can be free or paid for). If you have more questions, contact the Extension Center at the phone number given in the brochure.

Happy Gardening!