Nature Coast Master Gardeners (NCMGs) partnered with The Children’s Table, a non-profit food pantry to teach vegetable gardening basics. Participants were new to gardening or were unfamiliar with north Florida growing conditions. During the five-week series, novice gardeners applied class instruction while cultivating the onsite garden. The garden site and open air meeting space are graciously provided by Two Hawk Hammock owners Kenneth and Heidi Schwiebert.
The ‘Gardeners Growing Gardeners’ (GGG) program addressed the perceived difficulty of raising vegetables in Florida. Referencing AskIFAS science-based resources, NCMGs answered questions such as: how to deal with garden pests; where to find seeds/plants for north Florida; where to put a garden; and how to grow plants in beach sand.
Nothing wrong with old school, right? Bring out the flip charts, handouts and show-n-tell style demonstrations. Some felt intimidated by the gardening process. They did not know how to get started and many shared their frustration with past gardening failures. Several participants declaring that everything they planted died. NGMGs listened to participant’s concerns and provided time and space to meet with participants individually or in small groups.
The GGG course provided a basic overview of how to grow vegetables in north Florida. NCMGs provided step-by-step guidance on the siting of a garden, alternative garden options, crop planting, fertilizing and pest control measures based on University of Florida research-based publications. Among these were: Florida vegetable gardening guide (Park Brown et. al., 2021); heat safety (AskIFAS, Gardening Solutions) and soil pH and the home landscape or garden (Shober et.al., 2019).
NCMGs made use of the onsite garden to supplement information with hands-on weeding, planting cover crops, scouting for insects and harvesting vegetables. Attendees applied classroom lessons in the garden. For example, following the class discussion on plant spacing participants thinned seedlings. Participants learned about Integrated Pest Management at the same time pickle worms/eggs were noted on the squash. NCMGs designed the GGG program to emphasize hands-on learning and face-to-face interaction .
Gardeners harvested vegetables for themselves, and donated hundreds of pounds of vegetables to The Children’s Table food pantry. Each attendee received a GGG booklet, a compilation of UF/IFAS publications with basic information needed to plan a fall garden, local extension contacts information and links to Ask IFAS so that follow-up information and assistance was at their fingertips. One participant shared as a result of the classes, she felt better prepared to garden.
Join us for the next gardening program, Saturday, November 2, Two Hawk Hammock, 17990 NE 53rd Ln, Williston, FL 32696. The program is free, however pre-register is required. Register with The Children’s Table, this is link to external Children’s Table web site for registration. Bring your own tools, and plant your own row of cool season vegetables.
Questions? Call Barbara 352-486-5131 or email savemygarden@ufl.edu. Until next time – Happy Gardening!
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