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New Issue of Harbor Happenings Now Avail...

The new issue of Harbor Happenings, the newsletter of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP), is now available at the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service. To learn more about the CHNEP or to subscribe to the newsletter go...

Florida-Friendly Garden in Lake Alfred

Volunteers Build Eunice Moore Memorial Garden Behind Lake Alfred Library

Now All We Need is the Rain!

Rain Barrel WorkshopSaturday, July 7, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noonCampfire USA, 2600 Buckingham Avenue, LakelandWant to supplement your potable water use? Learn how to collect rainwater with a rain barrel. In this workshop you will learn the basics of water harvesting using a rain barrel. This workshop is presented by the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service's Florida-Friendly...

MEET ME IN POLK: Mom Has Lots To Choose ...

MEET ME IN POLK: Mom Has Lots To Choose From This Weekend
Let’s all look forward to good weather this weekend because Mom deserves to mingle with artists from around the country on Lake Morton during the 41st Annual MIDFLORIDA Mayfaire by-the-Lake Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday night you can hear some great jazz sounds at the performance of “All That Jazz.” This free Tuesday Music Club event features...

Smokies Off Nana’s Bucket List

Smokies Off Nana’s Bucket List
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now off Nana’s bucket list, without the rubber stamp for my passport.  I forgot and left it at home!  Even so I will log our adventure in the same manner as I have for the other national parks Nana had the joy of visiting prior to purchase of the little memory book at the Grand Canyon a year ago.  I created my own miniature photo stamps,...

Master Gardener Plant Sale is THIS SATUR...

Making plans for Saturday? Remember to come to the Polk County Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale from 8:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 12. It will be held at the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service at 1702 US Hwy 17 in Bartow (drive around back to our potting...

From Coffee to Worms, Dirt Days Are Fun

From Coffee to Worms, Dirt Days Are Fun
By Glenda Mink Youngsters were joined by their adult partners and other volunteers who helped weed and clean out the beds and trim back other plants as part of a spring cleaning project at Polk County’s Christina Park, site of the popular “It Matters What You Grow” Dirt Day No. 2, that was held April 28. Members of the Florida Geocaching Association (who...

Fertilization– The Florida-Friendl...

May is really the latest you should be applying spring fertilization to your turf.  If you need to brush up on some of the UF/IFAS recommendations on what, when, and how much to apply, check out the links to EDIS circulars below.   And as always, make sure your fertilizer spreader is calibrated and has a shield (see the nifty do-it-yourself one below).  Fertilizer...

The New Front Yard

Another great use for Asiatic Jasmine in the front yard!  These two neighbors have just started to establish Asiatic Jasmine for an alternative to turf in their yards.  If you have an area of turf that is hard to maintain (mow, water, keep pest free) you may want to consider trying another type of plant in that place.  As always, know your site conditions...

A "Heads Up" on Broccoli

Another wonderful vegetable gardening article from Polk County Master Gardener, Carol Leffler.  Enjoy!! “Broccoli” is the plural of the Italian broccolo, and refers to “the flowering top of a cabbage.” Some sources report that folks of Italian descent brought broccoli to the U.S. around 1920. However, multiple sources credit Thomas Jefferson with bringing broccoli...

It Felt Good

It Felt Good
One small patch of the once beautiful wild coffee needed a good shot of iron to restore yellowing leaves to the same lush and shiny evergreen displayed by the remainder that provided stem cuttings for youngsters who participated in our popular “It Matters What You Grow” Dirt Day plant propagation workshop held last Saturday at Christina Park.  Kids ages 6 to 12 and their adult...

‘Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!’ Weekend Offe...

‘Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!’ Weekend Offers Angling Fun
Women are invited to explore the finest of fishing at the next “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” seminar, hosted May 18-20 at the Pirates Cove Resort and Marine, 4307 Southeast Bayview St. in Stuart. Sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in conjunction with the Sport Fish Restoration Program, “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” is a national...

Tire Recycling Event in Lake Wales

Tire Recycling Event in Lake Wales
Lake Wales – Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. will hold a FREE Tire Recycling event  on Saturday, April 28, from 8 a.m. to noon.  This event will take place at the Eagle Ridge Mall in the east parking lot between the Movie Theater and Dillard’s. In addition to tires, residents may bring rechargeable batteries that weigh one pound or less, used ink cartridges and mobile phones to...

Dirt Day No. 2 Registration Deadline is ...

Dirt Day No. 2 Registration Deadline is Monday!
Hey kids!  Monday April 23 is the deadline to pre-register for Dirt Day No. 2 at Christina Park beginning at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, April 28.  Ask your adult partner to call Carmen Hunter at 534-4340 or e-mail Miss Glenda at glendamink@polk-county.net to reserve your seat today.  Remember, Dirt Days are totally FREE and lots of fun!   Click here for all the details:...

What are YOU Doing for Water Conservatio...

There are many things we can do to conserve water in our homes and landscapes. In honor of Water Conservation Month we are providing you with some helpful conservation tips. By following some or all of the tips you can conserve and preserve our valuable water resources as well as save money. Engage the entire family in the effort to conserve water and make it fun for kids.The...

Backyard Discovery

Backyard Discovery
On his website (http://www.polkcountybirds.com/) local birding expert Chuck Geanangel notes that “wrens will build nests almost anywhere.”  Usually low to the ground and no more than eye level, the Carolina Wren builds multiple domed nests and sometimes will raise three broods in a season.  Like the House Wren, they build dummy nests to perhaps give the female a choice of...

Master Gardener’s Spring Plant Sal...

Saturday, May 12, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noonUF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service1702 US Hwy 17 South, BartowThe Polk County Master Gardeners will be selling plants, yard art and rain barrels ($30 each) at this plant sale. Florida-Friendly and native plantswill be available. Call (863) 519-8677 for more information. ...

Free Turfgrass Workshop

The Urban Horticulturist, Dr. Shibles, is offering a turfgrass workshop on April 21st 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Office at 1702 US Highway 17/98 South in Bartow. Call 863-519-8677 to register. ...

Mulberry Great American Cleanup Saturday...

Mulberry Great American Cleanup Saturday, April 14
Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. in partnership with the City of Mulberry and Magnify Credit Union, invite you to participate in this year’s City of Mulberry Great American Cleanup on Saturday, April 14, at Magnify Credit Union from 8 am-noon. The Great American Cleanup is a nationwide cleanup initiative led by Keep America Beautiful.  This cleanup event has taken place across the...

Sportsman’s Assn. Joins KPCB To Cl...

Sportsman’s Assn. Joins KPCB To Clean Up Camp Mack
Lake Wales – Kissimmee River Valley Sportsman’s Association’s (K.R.V.S.A) and Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc.  (KPCB) are gearing up again for this year’s 25th annual lake cleanup at Camp Mack in Lake Wales on April 14.  K.R.V.S.A. is a local sportsman’s club whose motto is “Keeping our waterways Navigable,” who in addition to this event and others like it,...

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