![Home grown tomatoes. Credit: Larry Williams](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okaloosaco/files/2015/03/Tomatoes-300x225.jpg)
With spring on its way, your local University of Florida Extension Office in Okaloosa County is providing lawn and garden seminars for the public.
Plan Before You Plant Seminar: Take the guesswork out of vegetable gardening and join Okaloosa County Master Gardener Lee Vanderpool as he presents this seminar on planning your vegetable garden. Topics covered will include creating a plan for planting, interplanting and companion planting, planning for raised beds and container gardening. This is the first of our monthly seminars scheduled for the 3rd Wednesday of each month now through October. This first seminar will be held Wednesday, March 18 from10 to 11 a.m. at the Extension Annex located at 127 Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach. For more information and to register, please call the Okaloosa County Extension Office at 850-689-5850. Space is limited.
Controlling Tomato Pests in the Home Garden Seminar: If you plan to grow tomatoes this year, plan to attend this seminar. Learn how to identify and control many of the insect and disease pests associated with growing tomatoes in the Florida home garden. I will provide this seminar on Thursday, April 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Okaloosa County Extension Office, 3098 Airport Road in Crestview. Please register for this program by calling the Okaloosa County Extension Office at 850-689-5850. Space is limited.
Lawn Care in Northwest Florida Seminar: I will provide this seminar as a First Tuesday Series program at the Crestview Public Library on Tuesday, April 7.
Many people become frustrated with their lawns here in Florida. Our climate, sandy soils and pest problems are unique compared to most areas of the U.S. Most people follow incorrect lawn care practices in Florida. As a result, they waste money, water, fertilizer and end up with a disappointing lawn.
This program begins at 10:30 a.m. with coffee and cookies served starting at 10 a.m. at the Crestview Public Library. The library is located at 1445 Commerce Drive (behind the Post Office). Call the library at 682-4432 or the Okaloosa County Extension Office at 689-5850 for more information.
There is no cost to attend these seminars but space is limited. So please preregister.
Larry Williams, UF/IFAS Extension Agent, Okaloosa County, March 12, 2015