Gardening Events & Classes in Greater Tampa Bay: January 23-27

Even though it may not feel like it, Spring is right around the corner for the Tampa Bay area. With Spring times comes gardening and many gardening events. Here's a listing of gardening events and classes taking place in the Greater Tampa Bay area this coming week:

Monday, January 23, 2012

• Hassle-Free Houseplants presented by the Master Gardeners starting at 6:30pm at the Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 N Central Ave, Tampa. Hassle-Free Houseplants will show you the 11 most hassle-free plants for your home.
• Composting for Your Home Landscape from 5:30pm - 7:00pm at the Hernando County Extension Office, 1653 Blaise Dr, Brooksville.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

• Water Education Alliance for Horticulture Webinar on "Algae Control and Pond Management" from noon to 1:00pm EST by Ken Wagner from Water Resource Services. This webinar will provide a bit of background on algal ecology as relates to control options and will provide an introduction to control algae within your pond.                                                                www.watereducationalliance.org/workshops.asp
• Hi Color, Low Maintenance Gardening presented by the Master Gardeners in partnership with Hillsborough County Extension Services from 6:30pm - 7:45pm at the North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 N Blvd, Tampa. This how-to class will show you how to maximize the color in your garden in minimal time.
• Spring Hill Garden Club Monthly Meeting at 1:00pm at the Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill. Anyone is welcome to attend, you do not have to be a member. Meetings typically have a speaker, plant raffle table and refreshments. The speaker for this meeting will be Captain Jim Powers from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.
• Jungle & Green Fingers starting at 1:00pm. Contact the Garden Club of St. Petersburg for more information. Located at 500 Sunset Dr South, St Petersburg. (727) 381-8920    www.GardenClubStPetersburg.org

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

• Green Dreams, 14510 Black Lake Road, Odessa
   www.GreenDreamsFL.com

1. Introduction to Permaculture from 11:00am - 1:00pm at Green Dreams in Odessa. This introduction to Permaculture will teach you how to integrate several systems together to create your own sustainable homestead. Some of the topics covered include: history of permaculture, principles of permaculture, concepts to save money while producing more yield, and more. The cost for this class is $15 and requires booking your space ahead of time through their website.
2. Organic Vegetable Gardening 101 from 2:00 - 4:00pm at Green Dreams in Odessa. All about gardening organically including integrated pest management, nutrients, pH, various styles of gardening, planting times and more. This class will get you started growing your own organic food year round here in Florida. The cost for this class is $15 and requires booking your space ahead of time through their website.

• Rain Barrel Workshop from 5:30pm - 6:30pm at the Hernando County Extension Office, 1653 Blaise Dr, Brooksville. The cost for the class is $55 which is for the supplies for you to make your own rain barrel to bring home when class is over. If you are a HCUD customer in good standing, you will receive a $25 rebate.
• Fertilizer / Pesticide Best Management Practices starting at 8:30am at the Pinellas County Extension's Commercial Horticulture office, 12520 Ulmerton Rd, Largo. This class provides training and testing for anyone working in the lawn, landscaping, pest control, or municipal ground areas to obtain a Limited Certification for Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer (LCULCF) BMP certification. It focuses on reducing non-point source pollution resulting from fertilization or pesticide application. Cost for the class is $15 before event and is free for Pinellas County Employees, Pinellas County School Board, and Pinellas County Master Gardeners. Regsiteration is required through their website. http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/

Thursday, January 26, 2012

• Starting Your Spring Vegetable Garden from 2:00pm - 3:30pm presented by Master Gardeners at the St Petersburg Library, 3745 9th Ave North, St Petersburg. This free class will help you understand how to pick the site for your garden, along with layout and include a discussion on various varieties that grow best in our climate. For more information contact (727) 582-2109.

Friday, January 27, 2012

• AGRItunity Pre-Conference Events at the West Central Florida Agricultural Education Center, 7620 SR 471, Bushnell                                                               http://sumter.ifas.ufl.edu/Sustainable-Living/AGRItunityRegistration.shtml

1. Farm Tour starting at 8:30am at the West Central Florida Agricultural Education Center in Bushnell. This tour will take participants by bus to various working livestock and crop farms located throughout Hernando and Pasco Counties. Cost for the tour is $30 which includes the bus fee and lunch. Registration is required through the website before 1/23/12.
2. AGRItunity Pre-Conference Workshop and Tour starting at noon at the West Central Florida Agricultural Education Center in Bushnell. The workshop is on the ABC's of Hydroponics and covers the entire scope of hydroponic gardening from choosing your media to getting started, managing pests and more. Following the workshop, participants can drive approximately 3 miles to tour the X-Farms for a tour of a working hydroponic farm from 3:00pm - 4:30pm. Cost for the workshop is $20 which includes the X-Farms tour and lunch. Registration is required online before 1/23/12.

• Green Dreams, 14510 Black Lake Road, Odessa
   www.GreenDreamsFL.com

1. Introduction to Permaculture from 11:00am - 1:00pm at Green Dreams in Odessa. This introduction to Permaculture will teach you how to integrate several systems together to create your own sustainable homestead. Some of the topics covered include: history of permaculture, principles of permaculture, concepts to save money while producing more yield, and more. The cost for this class is $15 and requires booking your space ahead of time through their website.
2. Organic Vegetable Gardening 101 from 2:00 - 4:00pm at Green Dreams in Odessa. All about gardening organically including integrated pest management, nutrients, pH, various styles of gardening, planting times and more. This class will get you started growing your own organic food year round here in Florida. The cost for this class is $15 and requires booking your space ahead of time through their website.

If your group or organization provides gardening events and you wish to have your events included, or if you know of an upcoming event, please contact the writer with the information.