Spring has arrived! Azaleas are in full bloom and the bluebirds are busily working on nests. Also in full bloom are the Demonstration Gardens of UF IFAS Extension, Escambia County. Known informally as the “Demo Garden,” the landscape consists of about one acre of carefully chosen plants meant to beautify and educate. Maintained year-round by the horticulture agent and a faithful team of Master Gardener Volunteers, the garden highlights numerous plant types, gardening practices, and landscaping styles.
Located directly behind the Extension Offices at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment, the garden is open 7 days a week during daylight hours. Two newly built wooden arbors and map diagrams welcome visitors in to amble and explore. The garden is divided into 11 small areas, connected by grassy or mulched pathways. Sections include low-lying herb, border, and sun-loving plants, along with a shady copse of evergreens.
An edible garden with a seasonally rotating crop of vegetables is located on the south end of the garden, adjacent to colorful tropical and butterfly-attracting plants. In the center of the garden is a large gazebo, and behind that is a retreat space for quiet meditation. Circling around the gazebo, you’ll find ornamental grasses, a composting demo, and a handful of fruit trees. Closer to the second arbor is a Japanese Zen Garden. On the northern edges of the garden is an outdoor classroom, greenhouses, a plant propagation area, and a small native plant garden.
Our larger grounds are home to a 0.8-mile walking track, a playground, workout equipment, and frisbee golf course. We invite you and your families out to visit! I have seen groups of teenagers out taking prom pictures, toddlers enjoying the playground, and families of all ages picnicking on the grounds. We ask that visitors never remove any plants or blooms, leaving them for everyone to enjoy. The majority of our plants are labeled with common and scientific names, so if you find something you love, you know what to shop for in your own yard. Over 40 Florida county extension offices have demonstration gardens, so no matter where you live, you are likely near one!
If you’ve never been, this Saturday, March 29, is the perfect time to visit! Our Master Gardener Volunteers will be hosting a “Spring Plant Celebration” at the Demonstration Garden from 8:30 am-4:00 pm. They will have a perennial and shrub plant sale (cash/check only) and will host demonstrations on pollinators, plants, and wildflowers. For more information on the garden and horticulture program, contact our Horticulture Agent, Beth Bolles at 850-475-5230 or bbolles@ufl.edu.
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