SATURDAY, MARCH 8TH 
Gardening Class Day!

7:30 am - 8:30 am
Registration

Browse through the Fandango Plant and Garden Expo
 

8:30 am - 9:50 am

Wildrose Lawncare Inc. presents

The 2008 Florida Yard Fandango

Greeting of participants, Introduction of our sponsors, General Information
Registered participants meet in the tent

Keynote Address

Monica Brandes, Author

"Ease of Florida Gardening"
 

For some, just the thought of going out in the garden to work is painful!  "Oh, my aching back, those darned mosquitoes and all that dirt!  Then what happens if all my efforts are for not and my grandiose landscape plan turns to dust?!  Maybe I shouldn’t try at all!" Take heart, our Keynote Speaker, Monica Brandes has been a Florida-gardener for many years and has learned some tips that she will gladly share with you in this informative and dynamic Keynote address.  Find out more about Monica Brandes at www.gardensflorida.com

8:45 am - 9:50 am

10:00 am - 10:50 am

FANDANGO CLASSES - SESSION 1

Classroom 1   - Color in your Florida Friendly Landscape
Monica Brandes - Author and avid gardener, Monica Brandes will help dispel the myth that Florida-friendly landscaping must be dull and boring.  With a plethora of colorful plants to choose from and a little common sense you can have a landscape that is colorful, water efficient and easily maintained.  Find out more about Monica Brandes at www.gardensflorida.com

Classroom 2 - Landscaping with Natives
Dale Armstrong - Pinellas Extension Office  - When used intelligently, native plants require less maintenance, are less expensive, and save energy.  They require little to no extra water.  They are also a great choice for attracting and nourishing our native wildlife.  Dale Armstrong, from Pinellas County Florida Yards and Neighborhoods will share his expertise about how to integrate native plants successfully into your Florida landscape.  To find out more about gardening with natives visit http://www.fnps.org/pages/plants/natives.php


Classroom 3 - Soils and Composting
Wae Nelson -  Florida Gardening Magazine - From our native sandy soils to our clay based fill, Florida soils can present unique challenges when planning your landscape.  Wae Nelson, editor of  Florida Gardening Magazine, will teach workshop participants how to recognize soil types and how to optimize your gardening success with the right plant choices and compost enhancements.  Enjoy Florida Gardening Magazine online at www.floridagardeningmagazine.com.

Classroom 4 - Container Gardening
Pattie Schaefer - Annie Garden Shed - The right plant in the right pot in the right place can enhance any porch, patio or pool area.  Join Patti Schaeffer, owner of Annie’s Garden Shed, in this educational and hands on workshop.  Patti will teach you how to “set the scene”  for success in container gardening.  You can visit Annie’s Garden Shed at 18621 N. Hwy 41 in Lutz or call 813-949-2600


 

11:00 am - 11:50 am

Classroom 1  - Florida Friendly Landscape Design
Marina D'Abreau - Hillsborough Extension - The first phase in creating a Florida-friendly yard is careful planning and design. Learn more about the landscape design process with Marina D’Abreau from Hillsborough County Florida Yards and Neighborhoods.  Marina will help you examine the steps to creating a Florida Yard and learn basic landscape design techniques in an interactive group setting.   To find out more about Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, visit http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/

Classroom 2 - 9 Principles of Floirda-friendly Yards
Dale Armstrong- Pinellas Extension - Florida is a diverse state. Soil types, temperature ranges and rainfall patterns differ dramatically from region to region. Learn simple, easy to apply, common sense principles in this fun and informative presentation of the “9 Principles of Florida-friendly Landscaping”. Using the basic concept of the right plant in the right place Dale Armstrong,  of the Pinellas County Extension Service, will teach workshop participants how to reduce maintenance and problems in their Florida-friendly landscapes.  For more information on the 9 Principles of Florida-friendly Landscaping visit http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/fyn

Classroom 3 - Gardening in Florida - It's different down here
Wae Nelson - Florida Gardening Magazine - It’s not your imagination.  Gardening in Florida really is different from gardening in other parts of the country.  So, whether you are a recent transplant or just a frustrated native, Wae Nelson, of Florida Gardening Magazine, can help you “Get your Green Thumb On!”.   Learn about the nuances of Florida gardening and how best to work with and around them in this fun and informative workshop.  You can also visit www.floridagardeningmagazine.com for more tips on Florida Gardening.

Classroom 4 - Toughen-up your Turf
Michael Crose - MrBugGuy.com -The answer to poorly performing sod is not always more water and fertilizer.  Join Michael Crose, Certified Pest Control Operator and Gardening Show Host, to learn how to “toughen up your turf” with some simple Florida-friendly techniques as well as the correct turf selection for your yard and environment.  Tune into one of Michael’s entertaining and informative podcasts at www.homeandgardenradio.com

11:50 am - 1:20 pm

Luncheon and Fandango Plant and Garden Expo

Purchase Lunch, stroll through the Fandango Plant and Garden Expo asking questions, or participate in a live AUCTION to benefit Horticultural Education while checking out the services available or a fast tour through MOSI

1:30 pm - 2:50 pm

Classroom 2 - Herb and Veggie Gardening
John Starnes - St. Pete Times Writer - It might surprise some to know that tomatoes don’t grow from cellophane wrapped trays at the grocery store!  And neither does parsley, oregano or basil.  They all grow from the good earth which YES you can find in Florida!  Join Organic Gardening Writer, John Starnes, and let him teach you how to partner with Mother Earth in growing delicious herbs and vegetables in your own back yard.  To find out more about John Starnes visit http://www.hometown.aol.com/johnastarnes/index.html

Classroom 3 - Enjoy your KOI
Wesley Chapel Nursery - Aquascapes of Florida  - A homonym of koi means “love and affection”.  Koi are therefore symbols of love and friendship in Japan. Koi enthusiasts enjoy much “love and affection” from their exotic pets. However, the maintenance and care of these majestic fish can sometimes be frustrating.  Learn more about how to “Enjoy your Koi” with the Koi and water gardening experts of Wesley Chapel Nursery.  Visit them on the web at http://www.wesleychapelnursery.com

Classroom 4 - Edible Landscapes
Greg Charles - Director of Horticulture Programs - PTEC - Are you hungry and health conscious?  How about a fruit salad with pineapples, blueberries, oranges and mango?  No need to run to the grocery store.  You can shop in your own back yard!  Edible landscapes afford the ability to eat a food only minutes, rather than days or weeks, after harvest, increasing the amount of their nutrients and flavor. Join Greg Charles, director of horticulture at PTEC, while he shares both his personal experience and professional expertise on how to create an edible, sustainable, and nutritional Florida landscape. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 9TH
Final Day of Plant Sale
from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Need to call for reservation on walk, limited amount of room available.

813-317-6454

9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Herb Walk in the Wetlands of MOSI - Rose Kalajian -A gentle hike through the forest at Mosi, where Rose Kalajian-Herbalist will identify the plants growing there.  In addition, she will describe how they are used as medicine.
 

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Herb Walk in the Wetlands of MOSI - Rose Kalajian -A gentle hike through the forest at Mosi, where Rose Kalajian-Herbalist will identify the plants growing there.  In addition, she will describe how they are used as medicine.