tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12554485141948062582024-03-05T09:31:00.092-05:00Community Gardens: Orange County, FloridaThis blog is about growing vegetables in community gardens which may be family plots, or communal areas. Growing vegetables in Orange County, Florida is very different than anywhere else. There are specific varieties of vegetables to consider. The vegetable season is at least nine months long but starts in September. Summers are usually too hot and too humid unless tropical vegetables are of interest. Learn more at this blog and enjoy the best tasing vegetables ever grown --- your own.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-47474581789115717482012-07-11T07:56:00.000-04:002012-07-11T07:56:28.228-04:00Celebrating 150 Years of the Land Grant SystemThe Univeristy of Florida is celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Land Grant College System. For more information see: <a href="http://landgrant.ufl.edu/">http://landgrant.ufl.edu/</a> Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-36847806803908105262012-07-06T14:48:00.001-04:002012-07-06T14:48:40.733-04:00Vegetable Gardening and Horticulture Classes in July<strong>Yard Trouble Solutions</strong><br />
July 11, Wednesday: 6:30 – 8:00pm, Jessie Brock Community Center, Winter Garden<br />
Register by calling (407) 254-9200<br />
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<strong>Edible Gardening: Growing a Salad Table ($40)</strong><br />
July 13, Friday: 3:00 – 5:30pm, Orange County Extension Education Center<br />
Register on‐line at <a href="http://www.mysaladtable.eventbrite.com/">http://www.mysaladtable.eventbrite.com/</a> <br />
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<strong>Micro‐Irrigation for Your Home</strong><br />
July 14, Saturday: 9:00am – Noon, Jessie Brock Community Center, Winter Garden<br />
July 17, Tuesday: 9:00am – Noon, Orange County Extension Education Center<br />
July 21, Saturday: 9:00am – Noon, Orange County Extension Education Center<br />
Pre‐register on‐line at <a href="http://www.smartwateruse.eventbrite.com/">http://www.smartwateruse.eventbrite.com/</a> <br />
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<strong>Vegetable Gardening in Florida – What to do in the Summer</strong><br />
July 14, Saturday: 9:00 – 10:30am, Orange County Extension Education Center<br />
July 19, Thursday: 6:30 – 8:00pm, Jessie Brock Community Center, Winter Garden<br />
Register by calling (407) 254-9200<br />
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<strong>Square Foot Gardening</strong><br />
July 18, Wednesday: 10:00 – 11:30am, Orange County Extension Education Center<br />
Register by calling (407) 254-9200<br />
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<strong>Vegetable Gardening in Florida – The Season Begins</strong><br />
July 26, Thursday: 10:00 – 11:30am, Orange County Extension Education Center<br />
Register by calling (407) 254-9200<br />
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Jessie Brock Community Center is located at 310 N. Dillard St. in Winter Garden<br />
Orange County Extension Education Center is located at 6021 S. Conway Rd, Orlando<br />
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<br />Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-8416186532878196182012-07-06T14:41:00.001-04:002012-07-06T14:41:32.793-04:00Be A Master Gardener Volunteer --- New Class FormingApplications are being received now through July 13, 2012. Please send an <a href="mailto:Orange@ifas.ufl.edu?Subject=Master_Gardener">e-mail to the Master Gardner Coordinator </a>with your snail mail address and telephone number. Check out the Orange County Master Gardener Program... <a href="http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/mg/index.html">http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/mg/index.html</a> <br />
<br />Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-61799838720074974042012-07-06T14:38:00.001-04:002012-07-06T14:38:31.884-04:00Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference July 27, 28 & 29Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference --- Educating Entrepreneurs to Strengthen Local Food Systems<br />
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July 27-29, 2012 * Kissimmee, FL<br />
<a href="http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms">www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms</a> <br />
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Early Registration Deadline is Monday, July 9, 2012<br />
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There will be a Community Garden Workshop on Friday afternoon, July 27, 2012 from 2:00 - 5:00pm.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-64076076980144340542012-07-06T14:31:00.001-04:002012-07-06T14:31:49.375-04:00Dirt to Dinner SeriesSix week Series: July 13, 20, 27 and August 3,10,17 9:00am - Noon<br />
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Use the summer months, between growing seasons, to plan your home garden. Learn to grow, preserve and prepare fresh, safe, healthy Florida Foods. Topics include soil, composting, insects and pests, organics, container gardening, square foot gardening, safe food preservation, storage, nutrition and food preparation... and more.<br />
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To register go online to <a href="http://dirt2dinner.eventbrite.com/">http://dirt2dinner.eventbrite.com/</a>. Registration is $50.<br />
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Deadline to register is July 6th. Register early as the class fills up fast! Minimum<br />
<br />
to hold class is 15 ‐ maximum is 25.<br />
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For further information contact Ruth Howard at 407‐254‐9218. Visit this site: <a href="http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/fcs/pdffiles/classes/From%20Dirt%20to%20Dinner.pdf">http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/fcs/pdffiles/classes/From%20Dirt%20to%20Dinner.pdf</a> <br />Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-11364589093138942772012-03-27T17:15:00.001-04:002012-03-27T17:16:50.899-04:00Plant Fair --- Saturday, March 31, 2012Orange County Master Gardener Plant Fair. Buy your spring plants at this event. Come and see what is growing in the 9,500 square foot Demonstration Small Farm and Home Vegetable Gardens --- raised beds, containers, in-ground, elevated raised beds, Square Foot Gardens, Earthboxes, raft hydroponic garden, and composting units.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-35472837217305967342012-03-09T17:18:00.000-05:002012-03-09T17:18:18.074-05:00Master Gardener Plant Fair - March 31, 2012Join us for a PLANT FAIR on Saturday, March 31, 2012 9:00 AM at the Orange County Extension Education Center. Vendors, educational events, kids activities, plants on sale and more: <br />
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<a href="http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/mg/pdffiles/2012%20Plant%20Fair%20Events%20.pdf">http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/mg/pdffiles/2012%20Plant%20Fair%20Events%20.pdf</a>Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-33006114644660882212012-03-09T17:16:00.000-05:002012-03-09T17:16:50.963-05:00Urban Farming WorkshopMarch 21st, Orange County Extension Education Center will host the 2nd Annual Urban Farming Workshop. Topics covered this year include small poultry flocks, Florida's Cottage Food Law (homemade food sales), Blueberries, Aquaponics, Alternative ground covers and a field techniques tour.<br />
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For more information: <a href="http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/UF_workshop/pdffiles/Urban%20Farming%20Workshop%202012.pdf">http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/UF_workshop/pdffiles/Urban%20Farming%20Workshop%202012.pdf</a>Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-4053693822880677522012-03-09T17:14:00.000-05:002012-03-09T17:14:05.249-05:00Dirt to Dinner - Summer SeriesUse the summer months, between growing seasons, to plan your home garden. Learn to grow, preserve and prepare fresh, safe, healthy Florida Foods. Topics include soil composting, insects and pests, organics, container gardening, square foot gardening, safe food preservation, storage, nutrition and food preparation. The dates are July 13, 20, 27 and August 3, 10, 17. <br />
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To register go online to http://dirt2dinner.eventbrite.com.<br />
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Deadline to register is July 6th. Register early as the class fills up fast! Registration is $50.<br />
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Minimum to hold class is 15 ‐ maximum is 25.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-47892142064694879032012-02-02T13:38:00.000-05:002012-02-02T13:38:23.577-05:00How to Start a Community GardenDon't miss out on the 5th Annual Orange County Eco-nomic Living Expo this Saturday, February 4th at the Orange County Extension Education Center (6021 S. Conway Rd, Orlando, 32812). Ed Thralls will be presenting a 30 minute presentation in the Magnolia Room where he will address the 9-steps to starting a Community Garden. There will be other great presentations too so don't miss out. This is a FREE event. For more information, download this PDF file <a href="http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/ocs/pdffiles/2012/program.pdf">http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/ocs/pdffiles/2012/program.pdf</a>Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-78086732359925029562011-12-07T15:06:00.000-05:002011-12-07T15:06:18.865-05:00Dirt to Dinner Series - Winter Classes<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2cRKyE_VI4ZKhmT36T8jmgP2ZmPKwTmXMw6Qf3aakpdHCaOdnsuenWootsWqTW9iX3rRIBi8bIcfWajX09d-FWMPYsQC9k0Czwjwe1cwTsZk4VFLhpdyyc4Acrg4tLa8gkq1BdA4_6-X/s1600/dirt+to+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2cRKyE_VI4ZKhmT36T8jmgP2ZmPKwTmXMw6Qf3aakpdHCaOdnsuenWootsWqTW9iX3rRIBi8bIcfWajX09d-FWMPYsQC9k0Czwjwe1cwTsZk4VFLhpdyyc4Acrg4tLa8gkq1BdA4_6-X/s320/dirt+to+dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Interested in vegetable gardening and nutrition the the new six weeks series called "Dirt to Dinner" may be for you. The series will be taught on Thursdays, from 9am - noon at the Orange County Extension Education Center. The dates are January 5, 12, 19 and February 2, 9, 16. <br />
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The cost for the six week series is $50 per household. Class size is limited to 25 families. <br />
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Come learn about growing you own vegetables in your Florida backyard. To register and prepay for the class, come to our offices at 6021 S. Conway Rd., Orlando, FL 32812. For more information, call us at 407 254-9200 and ask for information about the "Dirt to Dinner" program.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-52985089205285151972011-06-09T07:42:00.000-04:002011-06-09T07:42:10.628-04:00College Park Community Garden in the Planning Stages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs9DwWeWyKCJg3o76-N21pciw4lukGiYrVjRaSAtGZktiH4PVeTaRslPPYSiHwvd0gNBHH1TKfpeUb3VGqdp9969-KgNNtJssjn2gdxV3Z-8Wzg4YCuPIXepmI-nAfPSenTPu9d6VsrW2/s1600/ar124914106627266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs9DwWeWyKCJg3o76-N21pciw4lukGiYrVjRaSAtGZktiH4PVeTaRslPPYSiHwvd0gNBHH1TKfpeUb3VGqdp9969-KgNNtJssjn2gdxV3Z-8Wzg4YCuPIXepmI-nAfPSenTPu9d6VsrW2/s320/ar124914106627266.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The College Park Community Garden is in the planning stages. The next organizational meeting will be on Monday June 20 at 7 p.m. at College Park Baptist Church in the Fellowship Hall.<br />
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Heather Tribou is leading the program and if you are interested in getting in on the ground floor, be at the meeting or contact Heather at Heather Tribou 407-843-0496.<br />
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Orange County Master Gardener Dena Wild (and College Park resident) will be the Community Garden Advisor to the College Park Community Garden.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-71221024613751598152011-02-21T16:34:00.000-05:002011-02-21T16:34:02.527-05:00Apopka Billie Dean Community Garden --- Interested in Joining??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox_OcPF9jmfYaVYgTy4wmBsKmCR2SDA148kZQiXJobdCl-o1o26zEGiCcJzA_o7AEX6gEglAzCRVgVJrql4mzkdUwf0_cMB6O5-SR-KKUFr70pyC8D1foqHm0Tc8wKOwElmg3iaWNnFZY/s1600/ApopkaCommunityGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox_OcPF9jmfYaVYgTy4wmBsKmCR2SDA148kZQiXJobdCl-o1o26zEGiCcJzA_o7AEX6gEglAzCRVgVJrql4mzkdUwf0_cMB6O5-SR-KKUFr70pyC8D1foqHm0Tc8wKOwElmg3iaWNnFZY/s320/ApopkaCommunityGarden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Apopka Billie Dean Community Garden is located on the corner of 9th and Park Avenue in Apopka, FL. </div><br />
The Community Garden currently has 14 raised bed gardens either available or being used and 6 other raised bed gardens that need more work. <br />
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The Community Garden is planned to has the capacity for 80 raised bed gardens. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Community Garden needs gardeners, leaders and idea people with planning and marketing on their mind. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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Grow Your Own Vegetables!<br />
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Tomatoes! Carrots! Peppers<br />
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Rent a raised garden bed for $20 a year with compost and water included. Receive garden advice and education from professionals.<br />
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Eat your own healthy, organic vegetables.<br />
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Contact Peter or Carole if you are interested in becoming part of the Apopka Billie Dean Community Gardenl <br />
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Peter: 407-473-0132<br />
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Carole: 407-880-0147Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-19416566728757220482011-02-21T16:00:00.000-05:002011-02-21T16:00:43.538-05:00Winter Garden Community Garden Reunion PlannedThere is a reunion for returning and former members and a new membership drive/registration at the garden on Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 8:00 A.M.to 12:00 P.M. If you have friends or family members that would like to garden, please let them know and bring them on 3-5-11.<br />
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<b>Attention all current and returning WGCG Gardeners:</b><br />
THE 2011-2012 Gardener's Agreement FORM AND MONEY MUST BE RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 28, 2011 OR PLOT(S) MAY BE REASSIGNED ON MARCH 1, 2011.<br />
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Thank you for your prompt attention and cooperation.<br />
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Nancy Reid<br />
Secretary, WGCGHeliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-60683921738570910562011-02-11T16:06:00.001-05:002011-02-11T16:09:25.900-05:00Community Garden Accounting PracticesA community gardener comments: “I am looking for advice/guidelines on correctly setting up our account for a new community garden I'm involved with. We have applied and received our first grant and are looking for the best way to deposit these funds and access them that is legal and ethical. We hope to become a 501(c) (3) in the future, but are not ready for that just yet.”<br /><br /><strong>Suggestions include this one from a fellow community Gardener: “Do you have a separate bank account? Do you have a 501(c) (3) that can act as a fiduciary for you? How much money is it?<br /><br />You can probably set up an account at your local bank or credit union. Set it up in the name of the Garden or whoever the check is made out to. You will need two signing officers at least, 3 is better, you will all have to go to the bank, with ID (two pieces, one with address, one with photo) and sign the papers, order the checks and there you go.”</strong><br /><br /><em>Another community gardener suggested “Until you get an account in the name of your garden group, you can ask some other 501(c) (3) group to act as your "fiscal sponsor" and accept the check on your behalf. They would then release the funds to you. They would probably ask you to document the transaction and what/how you spend the money because once a group becomes a fiscal sponsor, they are also responsible to the original funder for the proper use of the money. Many non-profits will do this for free; some charge a small administrative fee. Some are more "hands-on" about managing this than others. Maybe there is some other local greening or environmental group, community service organization or even a local church/temple, etc., that would be willing to be your fiscal sponsor.”</em><br /><br />My advice is for you to contact a lawyer and get real legal advice.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-74225540561737972122011-02-11T16:03:00.002-05:002011-02-11T16:06:26.761-05:00What is Your Non-profit Status?The President of the River City Harvest, a community garden in Great Falls, Montana, states “and we're running into a big bump in the road when it comes to our 501(c)3 application. They turned us down because they said we're a social group and not for the poor, etc. We charge $25/season for a 600 sq ft plot and $5/season for 100 sq ft to be able to reach all income levels. People can grow a heck a lot more than $25 worth of food in a 600 sq ft plot. We also have plots set aside to grow food specifically for Meals On Wheels and the local food bank.<br /><br />We also helped the Salvation Army start a garden. It was their land and water, but we plowed, fertilized, provided the seeds/plants and volunteers. They harvested nearly 5000 lbs of vegetables for their family services program. It's just frustrating. I wondered how others are set up, and how you explained what you're doing so the IRS could understand it.”<br /><br /><strong>She received this response from a fellow Community Gardener: “The 501 c3 is for educational organizations. Do you do workshops or on site garden classes? If you do, did you include that information in your application? I looked at your web site, keep in mind that it is an educational tool, for example the article on flea beetles. Also when you built the garden for the Salvation Army if you worked with volunteers that is kind of training should be presented as an on-site educational workshop.</strong><br /><br /><em>From another Community Garden expert: “It sounds like you are running an undeclared not for profit or a not declared charitable group. This open ended arrangement is always looked at by the IRS or Canada Tax in my case as a for profit enterprise until proven differently. A lot of the groups that started out as spontaneous "help the community" gardens end up becoming profitable gardens several years later. How can the government assess that such a transformation has not occurred? <br /><br />By attaching the garden projects to a church, or by becoming a sanctioned community program under the local municipal government, or by being adopted by a community center or the Salvation Army they would have assurances that this transformation to a for profit would not occur. <br /><br />As long as the program appears to be run under an acceptable authority and has supervision all questions of tax forms should clear up. You will just need the paper work proving the connection and programs are real and that the consumers of the produce are receiving them at below cost."</em><br /><br /><br />My advice is for you to contact a lawyer for some real legal advice.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-3150651787036882722011-01-27T14:50:00.004-05:002011-01-27T14:57:22.472-05:00Mushroom Compost - Monterey Mushroom FarmAmy Wilkinson is the new Compost Coordinator at Monterey Mushrooms.<br /><br />Monterey Mushrooms currently produce 1200 yards of compost each and every week! At present, they are paying to have the majority of it removed from their facility, as they cannot store it here. Amy's job is to create a program through which they can reduce, or alleviate the cost of disposal. Many other mushroom farms have created a demand for it - as you can imagine!<br /><br />The mushroom compost (spent mushroom substrate) is a fantastic soil amendment. The water retention properties alone should make Florida growers beat down our doors! It has a pH range of 6.5- 7.5, and provides many nutrients. It is supplemented with nitrogen so it does not draw down nitrogen levels - unlike wood products. It meets "Organically Grown" standards after brief additional composting. Amy can furnish publications detailing this.<br /><br />Contact Amy if you have any questions. <br /><br />Amy Wilkinson<br />Monterey Mushrooms<br />407-905-4015<br />5949 Sadler Avenue<br />Mount Dora, FL 32757Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-33538045572883779992011-01-07T07:56:00.002-05:002011-01-07T08:02:24.923-05:00Winter Garden Community Garden MeetingThe Winter Garden Community Garden's next Meeting is Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.<br />Location: Maxey Community Center, 830 Klondike Street, Winter Garden, FL<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPPd6qqNC7uVBQCu5X9ClRoeWge0goGw4xfh_sH8Eir6CjY2W46DYGMPPT_vKSCrI3POWDhZ3o2z6LSQNIeyEzdFsbxUf__owxQLPMdxs0cxkML4hi97VUTNPWZ0u8ebZYCfNbc2RiWRm/s1600/DSCN1254.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPPd6qqNC7uVBQCu5X9ClRoeWge0goGw4xfh_sH8Eir6CjY2W46DYGMPPT_vKSCrI3POWDhZ3o2z6LSQNIeyEzdFsbxUf__owxQLPMdxs0cxkML4hi97VUTNPWZ0u8ebZYCfNbc2RiWRm/s320/DSCN1254.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559428485712836066" /></a>Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-22393654436043184362011-01-04T16:15:00.004-05:002011-01-04T16:40:38.368-05:00Peppermill Community Garden - Open House - January 15th, 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilI1ivmQXKQo37s15zQ7xx78AkGAA2yQ4uc3X27yKLKAysEx4QeAINvnqdSvgxn4DiWsoYmnv7EmN9qcvcFyssWQvGH-Rf1u0AMOZFDtqrK1f1mBym1lQc-BjpBfzVrgm8pm5mkpDjEoEc/s1600/garden+work+day+018.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilI1ivmQXKQo37s15zQ7xx78AkGAA2yQ4uc3X27yKLKAysEx4QeAINvnqdSvgxn4DiWsoYmnv7EmN9qcvcFyssWQvGH-Rf1u0AMOZFDtqrK1f1mBym1lQc-BjpBfzVrgm8pm5mkpDjEoEc/s320/garden+work+day+018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558443874432869202" /></a><br /><br />Laura Coffey Richardson is one of the leaders in the newly formed Peppermill Community Garden. She has announced that the Peppermill Community Garden will have a "Garden Open House on January 15th from noon – 2pm".<br /><br />The Peppermill Community Garden has all raised bed gardens because the beds are built upon an old, unused tennis court. The ultimate in "recycling" or "re-purposing". They have done a fantastic job. Join them and congratulate them.<br /><br />If you can, be there ---- Learn, Share, Grow.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-4669205600174107862010-12-27T12:08:00.001-05:002010-12-27T12:10:29.164-05:00New Website Address for County Extension OfficeFor years, to view the Orange County Extension Website, it has been difficult to remember the website address and just as difficult to explain that it is an abbreviation for the Orange County Extension (ocextension) at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (ifas) at the Univeristy of Florida (ufl) an Educational Institution (edu). When you put it all together it looks like this: http://ocextension.ifas.ufl.edu. Now it will be easier to remember because the "ocextension" name can be replaced with "orange". <br /><br />As we move into the new year, you may use this link to find the Orange County/UF-IFAS Extension Service: http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu. It will also help to remember that if you need to send e-mail to the Orange County/UF-IFAS Extension Service, the email address is very similar: orange@ifas.ufl.edu. <br /><br />If you have the old website address (URL) bookmarked or in your favoites list, it will still work because both names are approved for use when viewing the Orange County/UF-IFAS Extension Service website.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-79899602987901638512010-12-07T17:23:00.004-05:002010-12-07T17:31:28.959-05:00$480 Worth of Vegetables in a 4' x 16' Raised Bed Garden"There are many reasons for the raised bed revival, but probably the most important is more production per square foot of garden. In a traditional home garden, good management may yield about .6 pounds of vegetables per square foot. Records of production over three years in a raised bed at Dawes Arboretum near Newark, Ohio, indicate an average of 1.24 pounds per square foot, more than double the conventional yield. Raised beds do not require the usual space between rows because no walking is done in the bed to cultivate or harvest. Hence, vegetables are planted in beds at higher densities - ideally spaced just far enough apart to avoid crowding but close enough to shade weeds." (source: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1641.html )<br /><br />A 4'x16' raised bed garden has the potential to produce 80 pounds of vegetables. If one assumes an average price of $2 per pound of vegetables and grows 80 pounds of vegetables during each of the three seasons in Central Florida, one could harvest $480 worth of vegetables each year (even more if selected vegetables were grown in the summer).Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-66373674122232041382010-12-01T14:36:00.003-05:002010-12-01T15:09:08.770-05:00Where has the year gone?It is now December. Hurricane season has officially ended. Gardeners new to the area want to know what to plant. We are in our "Cool Season Crops" time of year. Most leafy vegetables are appropriate such as Swiss chard, collards, cabbage, lettuce, kale and the like. Also, the root vegetables are excellent choices at this time of year including beets, turnips, radishes, kohlrabi, carrots and onions. Don't foget that many herbs are excellent at this time of year too.<br /><br />Water is most critical at this time of year with every plant slowing down, we want to keep our Cool Season vegetables growing. MODERATELY MOIST is the key and with the winter winds blowing over the top of our plants there will be a great deal of moisture taken out of the ground; more that you can anticipate. Use a microirrigation system on a timer if you wish; they are exempt from Water Management District rules for irrigation. Otherwise you will need a hose near the garden with a positive shut off. When is it moist? When it feels moist --- put your hand on the soil.<br /><br />Pests can be problems at this time of year too. Read and follow all instructions on the pesticide label. Most of your problems can be hand picked and tossed into a bucket of soapy water. Insecticidal soap will take care of the aphid, white fly and spider mites. Chilli thrips will need a shot of the natural control "Spinosad". Small cateripllars on your cabbages and collards can be hand picked or killed with the natural control "Bt" which is found as Dipel or Thuricide.<br /><br />Just because it is winter does not mean we give up vegetable gardening. There is no need to give up until June when it is too hot to stay out in the garden.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-7646186708944015912010-08-08T09:22:00.004-04:002010-08-08T09:26:14.011-04:00Pine Hills Community Garden - Grant ApprovedA ReNew Grant was approved on July 30, 2010 to assist the Pine Hills Community Garden program to move to the next step. Construction of raised beds and access to irrigation water will commence during the week of August 16th. Congratulations for completing this most important step.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-35623864697964357802010-04-21T17:22:00.002-04:002010-04-21T17:28:13.080-04:00Pine Hills Community GardenComing soon to the Pine Hills Community Center in Orlando will be a new Community Garden comprised of ten 4' by 16' raised bed vegetable gardens. On the intiative of Seniors at the Pine Hills Community Center, and the result of the Board of County Commissioners to permit the establishment of Community Gardens on Orange County Park or Orange County Community Center properties, a License Agreement has been completed to build this first of many new Community Gardens in the near future.<br /><br />Follow us here as we build this new Community Garden --- watch us grow.Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255448514194806258.post-42816115664138227362010-03-03T21:37:00.006-05:002010-03-03T22:01:53.293-05:00Organization - Key to Successful Community GardensWho will help my find a place to plant my corn?<br />Who will help me plant my corn?<br />Who will help me care for my corn?<br />Who will help me harvest my corn?<br />Who will help me eat my corn?<br /><br />Even the Little Red Hen knew she could not grow the best garden by herself. <br /><br />Find 9 more friends and contact the Orange County Extension Service Office at (407) 254-9200 to learn why "Organization is the Key to a Successful Community Garden".Heliothishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933438858431704421noreply@blogger.com1