By:
Emily E. Eubanks, 352-392-1831, ext. 246

Source(s):
Tom Wichman twichman@ifas.ufl.edu, 352-392-1831, ext. 331
Jim Moll jimm@co.hernando.fl.us, 352-754-4433

View Photo

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Floridians with a growing passion for gardening and home horticulture will soon have a new source of help – on Oct. 2 the University of Florida launches a new radio series, “Gardening in a Minute,” providing information from experts with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

The one-minute program will air on WUFT-FM Classic 89 in Gainesville and WJUF-FM Nature Coast 90 in Inverness during the 2 p.m. hour and again at 6:18 p.m., Monday through Friday. Both are public radio stations with coverage areas including 19 counties in North Central and Mid-Florida.

Initially, the series will reach both stations’ broadcast areas; its range will be expanded to other Florida markets in the future, said Tom Wichman, a state extension agent who narrates the series.

“I’m very excited about the impact this program can have in bringing practical gardening information to the public,” said Wichman, who also coordinates the state’s Master Gardener Program.

An accompanying Web site, found at http://www.gardeninginaminute.com, will provide extensive information on topics discussed in the series, along with listener-participation opportunities such as an “ask the expert” feature where visitors can query UF faculty members. “Gardening in a Minute” will also be available online at http://www.RadioSource.NET, which is hosted by UF.

Topics initially addressed in the series include home vegetable production, low-input landscaping and ways to provide backyard wildlife habitat. Though the series is meant for gardeners throughout the state, more localized information can be obtained from UF Cooperative Extension Service offices, which can be found through www.solutionsforyourlife.com.

“The show provides informative landscaping tips in a fun format,” said Jim Moll, Hernando County urban horticulture extension agent. “We (extension agents) can help gardeners regionalize those tips so that they work in their landscapes.”

Wichman said Florida residents’ interest in gardening mirrors national trends, which include high demand for trees, shrubs, plants and turfgrass. According to the National Gardening Association, 83 percent of all U.S. households participated in one or more types of do-it-yourself lawn and garden activities in 2005.

WUFT-FM, operated by UF’s College of Journalism and Communications, is providing production facilities and will broadcast the series; UF’s Center for Landscape Ecology and Conservation funds production costs and underwrites expenses for the series.

-30-

0