UF IFAS Extension Lake County Master Gardener

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

The 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 held a 14 home garden site tour on Saturday, June 6. Ranging from small yards to large, several homes utilized over 40 native plants, trees, and bushes. Many ideas for tastefully adding native plants and support for wildlife to one’s yard were on display.

MGV Eillen Pumphrey & MGV Delphine Salai

06/05/2026

𝙁𝙁𝙂𝘾 𝙐𝙁 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨
Local MGV members recently attended the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC) University of Florida Short Course in Gainesville, where participants enjoyed educational presentations and inspiring garden tours.

A highlight of the event was a visit to a beautiful private garden, where attendees explored creative landscape design, plant selections, and sustainable gardening practices. The tour provided numerous ideas that gardeners can adapt for their own landscapes.

Participants also toured the University of Florida's Field & Fork Garden, an innovative campus garden that demonstrates sustainable food production, community engagement, and educational outreach. The garden showcases vegetable growing techniques and serves as a living classroom for students and visitors alike.

In addition to the tours, attendees learned about several educational opportunities offered through the University of Florida. Discussions included local plant pathology programs that help gardeners identify and manage plant diseases, as well as invasive species education and identification courses designed to increase awareness of threats to Florida's natural ecosystems.

The UF Short Course once again provided valuable learning experiences, practical gardening knowledge, and opportunities to connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts from across the state.

MGV Bonny Oliver & MGV Carol Hoffman

06/04/2026

The Five Senses Garden is in progress of a makeover ... beautiful new designs. I wonder who is the culprit?

An art fairy named 𝙈𝙂𝙑 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙖 𝘽𝙧𝙮𝙖𝙣 might get the credit?

06/02/2026

HYDROPONICS Anyone?
The most amazing tower hydroponics have been set up by Madelyn Greathouse (Sumter County) and our Toby Bartchlett (Discovery Gardens Technician). New pumps, new lights, new growing solution, and new plantlets ... mort amazing!!!

Visit the middle hallway in the AgCenter, near classroom #1. Actually, just follow the lights!

Thank you, Ms. Madelyn and Toby, you did a great job.

05/31/2026

Check out the latest BLOG highlighting our latest Field Trip to Nehrling Gardens: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/lakeco/2026/05/31/field-trip-nerhling-gardens-in-gotha-fl/
Thank you MGV Cathy Keller for this article.

05/25/2026

05/20/2026

Nehrling Gardens sights ...

05/20/2026

Thank you very much Theresa Schretzmann-Myers, Vice President & Tour Leader, Nehrling Gardens, Gotha FL. She was excellent in presenting the history of the gardens, and the Conservation & Sustainability Efforts they are performing.

05/19/2026

The Inaugural Summer MGV Meetup at the Discovery Gardens this Tuesday Morning.

"... looked like a Board Meeting!"

ALL MGVs are invited and needed in this social event. Please!