Crape Myrtle Trees on Amelia Island, Florida (Fernandina Beach)
Three upcoming gardening clinics hosted by the experts of the Nassau County Extension (including one to be held at Lowes on A1A in Yulee) are listed below (all free to the public). Are you a Florida-Friendly gardener? Also see further info below about getting recognition for “Florida-Friendly” yards in Nassau County. The Extension is looking for homeowners to show off their environmentally friendly landscapes.
February 11, 2012 — Crape Myrtle session (Lowes Home Improvement in Yulee)- Rebecca L. Jordi, Nassau County Extension Director/ Horticulture Agent for Nassau County, will conduct a class on Crape Myrtle pruning and maintenance at the Lowes Garden Day, being held on February 11, 2012 at 10 am. An ISA-certified arborist, Ms. Jordi will demonstrate correct pruning practices for crape myrtles. The session will also cover the selection of the best crape myrtle cultivar for your landscape, proper fertilization and pest management. This class is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Nassau County Extension office at 904-879-1019 or 904-491-7340.
The Master Gardener Crape Myrtle Island is the focus of a partnership between the Lowes Yulee store and the Nassau County Extension office. The purpose is to educate Nassau County homeowners on correct pruning practices and to eliminate “Crape Murder.” Three trees are involved in this program: two Crape Myrtle ‘Natchez’ trees and a Crape Myrtle ‘Osage’ tree. Both the ‘pencil-style’ and ‘pollarding-style’ pruning techniques will be demonstrated.
February 17, 2012 — Pruning Class - County Extension Director/Nassau County Horticulture Agent, Rebecca Jordi and Master Gardener Bea Walker will conduct a class on pruning trees and shrubs in your landscape. The session will take place at the UF/IFAS Nassau County Demonstration Garden, at 10 am. For more information, see the Extension website at: http://nassau.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/landmatters/landmatters.html, or call the Extension office at 904-879-1019 or 904-491-7340. This session is free and open to the public.
February 27, 2012 — Plant Clinic - Becky Jordi, County Extension Director/Horticulture Agent will conduct a Plant Clinic from 10 am until 2 pm at the Yulee Extension Office (A1A and Pages Dairy Road). All County residents are invited to bring plant samples showing problems in their landscapes. Problems will be identified and solutions offered for correction. There is no fee for this service. For information call 879-1019 or 491-7340.
Nassau County, Florida Homeowners: Do you have a Florida Friendly Yard? Seek Recognition
The Nassau County Extension will be participating in the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) Homeowner Program and its Florida Friendly Landscape® (FFL) Yard Recognition Program. Nassau County Master Gardener Bea Walker will serve as Yard Advisor for the program.
More About The Florida Friendly Landscape® Recognition Program
The conservation and protection of Florida’s water resources starts at home. Homeowners’ landscaping choices can affect the health of ground and surface waters, and by extension the natural environment.
Rebecca Jordi
“We are pleased to provide this opportunity to Nassau homeowners to become engaged in the effort to protect our natural resources,” said Jordi.
The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Homeowner Program educates homeowners about how to design, install, and maintain healthy landscapes that use a minimum of water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Low-cost, low-maintenance, attractive landscapes add value to your community and reduce the chance of polluting the water supply.
The FYN Homeowner Program recognizes environmentally friendly gardeners with official FFL Yard Recognition signs. Nassau County’s Yard Advisor, Bea Walker, will conduct home visits and use the homeowner checklist to determine whether your yard is eligible for Gold or Standard recognition. This is a great educational opportunity, as well as a chance for you to show your commitment to protecting Florida’s water resources!
“The certification process is not difficult, and starts with a self-evaluation checklist, followed by an onsite visit. Many of our homeowners may be eligible. There are several required practices. For example landscape must contain at least five species of plants. Additionally, aesthetic requirements include proper disposal of or recycling of landscape and household debris. Once satisfying the required practices, only 50 out of 105 points are needed to qualify for FFL Yard recognition,” stated Walker.
For more information about the FYN Homeowner program, see their website at: http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/homeowner.htm; or visit Nassau County Extension’s website http://nassau.ifas.ufl.edu/ and access the link for FYN Homeowner Program; or call the Extension office at 904-879-1019 or 904-491-7340.
