Since 2015 Nature Coast Master Gardeners (NCMGs) have met with thousands of people during the Cedar Key Seafood Festival. Plant clinic visitors share garden photos, inquire about vegetable, ornamental and fruit selection, seek advice on pest, water and fertilizer concerns. NCMGs love to talk plants, decipher gardening questions and discuss Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) options (see this external UF web page for FFL apps).
Here’s How it Works:
Because NCMGs like to have fun, demonstrations and activities change annually. One year we partnered with the community garden, Cedar Key Art Center, Cedar Key Historical Society and Nature Coast Biological Station for a nature-based scavenger hunt. One participant shared how much he enjoyed the scavenger hunt and finding treasures at each location.
“If you were an insect, what insect would you be?” This question stimulated children’s imagination, prompted creativity and provided opportunity to talk about insect life cycle and importance of insects to humanity.
For me, planting loofa in loofa sections was a fun activity and sparked a lot of conversation. A middle-school-age student shared she had grown out the luffa seed we provided the year before, harvested the vegetable and sold the luffa sponges for a profit. She was very excited to see us and share that news. The fish-toss game is a perennial favorite.
“Recently, we embarked on a mission to improve upland management practices and redeem our seawall. Our goals were to improve habitat, reduce nutrient runoff, conserve freshwater, and increase water filtration by oysters around our property.” Savanna Barry, Regional Specialized Sea Grant Agent, University of Florida
NCMGs provide UF research based horticulture options, extend UF/IFAS outreach, save taxpayer dollars and fill a gap in services. Plant clinic visitors are often unaware of extension resources and express surprise and appreciation for plant clinic information. NCMGs are responsive, enthusiastic and serve with nobility of purpose. We hope to see you at Cedar Key Seafood Festival plant clinic or other future program. Until then — Happy Gardening!
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