Gardening Advice Everyone Can Dig Into
Personal Column
Cynthia Nazario-Leary
Environmental Horticulture Agent
UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County
Newberry
Abstract
The UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture and Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agents for both Marion and Alachua counties, share a rotating gardening column in the Gainesville Sun and Ocala Star-Banner newspapers. Daily circulation for both newspapers combined is estimated at 100,000 and the average online view is 500,000. The gardening column provides agents an opportunity to provide science- and place-based horticultural, landscaping, and other plant-related information to residents in both print and online formats. The column is limited to 500 - 600 words, so articles need to be brief and concise while also piquing interest and providing useful information. I author one article per month, covering both landscape and edible gardening topics. Articles address general gardening tips, landscape advice, such as Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM practices; and timely or seasonal concerns for plants, such as protecting plants from freezing temperatures or what to plant for a particular season. On August 21, 2022, I wrote an article on how certain weeds can be indicators of soil and environmental conditions. On March 5, 2023, I authored another article providing tips for fertilizing your landscape appropriately. In all my articles, my aim is to provide timely information with an approachable and conversational tone that keeps the reader engaged while providing information that they can easily put into practice. I include personal observations and stories to share knowledge as if it were coming from a friend or neighbor. Feedback from readers has been positive, and I generally receive two to three requests for gardening or landscape advice because of that month's article. Comments from readers include, “Thank you for your informative article in today's newspaper, I have a couple of questions regarding trees,” “Very helpful information – I was not aware of the County fertilizer ordinances,” and “Great article – clear, thoughtful, engaging.”
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