Work Parties this Thursday at 9 and Friday at 9 and 5 and FW: Press Release: Master Gardener Plant Sale
Hello Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm,
We had a lot of fun at the May Day Farm Fest out at the beautiful Swallowtail Farm on Saturday, and met a lot of wonderful new folks. Thanks, Swallowtail Farmers, for inviting us to this fun event, Joey had a great time on the slip-n- slide, and the farm is gorgeous! And thanks to all the hard working volunteers who have been coming out to help out at the blueberry farm, working in the rows to help the berries thrive! Without all of you the berry bushes would be buried in vines and shaded by trees – not the fruit-laden beauties that they are now. And thanks, Bubba for the courageous, hard core mowing which allows us access to help the bushes! Bubba watched a Bobcat resting at the farm last week – Im so jealous, all Ive ever seen of them,there, is their scat! Coming to the farm is a good opportunity to see wildlife and birds, from otters and an alligator (in the pond) to bobwhite quail, coyotes and turkeys, and lots of deer and rabbits!
The summer is barreling down on us now and there is still plenty to do in those rows to get your hours in before the season starts. We will be cutting weedy trees and vines which compete with the berry bushes for water and light, but not pulling them out so as not to disturb the growing berries – and there are lots of berries, getting bigger by the day!(see attached pictures)
So c’mon out to the farm this Thursday at 9am and Friday at 9 and 5, I will be in the barnyard gardens with plenty of tools, you bring plenty of water, a hat, and long sleeves and pants. Kids are very welcome but please leave pet friends at home. If you bring kids its a good idea to bring extra water and snacks, and dress them in closed toed shoes and long pants. Kids love coming out to the farm, especially in the cool parts of the day.
And read on about the Master Gardeners Plant sale, it looks like a good opportunity to get some plants and help out what looks like a really interesting and beneficial program.
Hope to see you down at the farm!
maureen
www.GvilleBlueberryFarmFriends.org
Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 10:35:35 -0400
From: msexton@alachuacounty.us
To: maureenreschly@hotmail.com
Subject: Press Release: Master Gardener Plant Sale
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Communications Office – Press Release
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CONTACT: Mark Sexton, Communications Coordinator
PHONE: (352) 374-5204; CELL (352) 283-2317
EMAIL: msexton@alachuacounty.us
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| Master Gardener Plant Sale |
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May 3, 2010
10:30 a.m.
ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale takes place on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville, corner of Waldo Rd & NE 39 Ave.)
All year Master Gardeners start from seed or propagate their favorite plants for this sale. A variety of herbs, annuals, perennials, natives and more will be available. Master Gardeners will be on site for advice on caring for your plants.
This annual plant sale is a fundraiser for the Alachua County Master Gardener Volunteer Program. In 2009 these volunteers gave over 5,700 hours of service to the citizens of Alachua County and made contact with nearly 20,000 people seeking gardening advice. There are currently 11 school gardens throughout Alachua County elementary schools run by these volunteers. School children are learning about growing fruits and vegetables. Last year over 75 pounds of food grown at schools was donated to Bread of the Mighty Food Bank. Community gardens are continually being established for local residents.
Admission and parking is free. Bring a box, bag or wagon to carry plants in.
For more information on the plant sale or to ask a master gardener for advice, contact the Extension office at 352-955-2402.
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