BACK TO BASICS EDUCATES NEWCOMERS ON SUCCESSFUL VEGETABLE GARDENING IN LOCAL DEEP SAND SOILS
Extension Education
Donna Demorest
Horticulture Extension Agent III
University of Florida/IFAS Extension, Columbia County
Lake City
Abstract
\r\n Predominantly sandy soils have extremely low water and nutrient holding capacity. Nutrient leaching into the aquifer is high due to this low retention ability and high water permeability. In an attempt to grow food, unsuccessful gardeners often resort to the practices of over fertilizing and overwatering which can lead to nutrient leaching. This program was designed for the beginning gardener as well as for the gardener new to growing produce in the unique soil structure and heat of northern Florida. This six-session course, offer in the fall, was based on soil building, and participants were provided with visuals and demonstrations to help them understand the concept of water and nutrient movement and uptake. Each session addressed a different topic including warm and cool weather crops, container and hydroponic gardens, integrated pest management, and growing vegetables for a family of four. The Best Management Practices (BMPs) taught during this course foster gardening success and are environmentally friendly. 100% of the 36 participants of this series indicated that they had learned new and useful information, and 94% indicated they would adopt a new practice. Due to the feedback and success of the autumn course, a spring Back to Basics vegetable gardening course is now being taught with a total of 38 participants.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: D.N. Demorest
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Demorest, D. Horticulture Extension Agent, University of Florida/IFAS Columbia County Extension, Florida, 32025