gardening (Jacksonville, Miami, Gainesville: neighborhood, elementary schools, centers)

[manchester1]

I've always enjoyed gardening.

My question is has anyone started a palm tree roight from the seed. I've just planted coconuts and was wondering how long they take to show if they're growing?


Thanks in advance

[Karla with a K]

manchester
you can call the county extension office
they will be able to let you know. They are a great source for any of your gardening questions. They have master gardeners that answer the "plant hot line"

Duval County Extension Service
1010 N. McDuff Ave.
Jacksonville, Fl 32254
904-387-8850

[matthew in the house]

I never knew they existed

[Karla with a K]

yup you can also have your soil tested and the master garderners also volunteer at plant clinics on weekends at many nurseries and garden centers.
They speak to garden groups and neighborhood HOAs educating folks on how important it is to to be "Florida friendly" with regards to fertilizing and water usage.
My favorite part is the Junior Master Gardener program that is taught at 6 or 7 elementary schools around the city. We bring the wonder and excitement of science and plants to the kids.
The best part is all of these programs are done by volunteers

[Samierra]

Here in Miami, my best resource for plants (especially palms & orchids) is Fairchild tropical garden - it is an incredible place - true beauty amidst all the chaos of Miami. They hold plant shows several times a year where I have picked up the majority of the plants in my yard. This is one of the few places that I will truely miss when we relocate.

Does Jacksonville have anything similar to this?

[riveree]

Originally Posted by myfask

yup you can also have your soil tested and the master garderners also volunteer at plant clinics on weekends at many nurseries and garden centers.

I've used them to identify an issue I was having. I brought a clipping to the extension office and they helped me identify the problem. They were very helpful.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Samierra

Here in Miami, my best resource for plants (especially palms & orchids) is Fairchild tropical garden - it is an incredible place - true beauty amidst all the chaos of Miami. They hold plant shows several times a year where I have picked up the majority of the plants in my yard. This is one of the few places that I will truely miss when we relocate.

Does Jacksonville have anything similar to this?

Our local zoo, the Jacksonville Zoo, is now the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. It's still in the early stages, but there are plans in the works for it to be both a zoo and a botanical garden:

http://www.jaxzoo.org/

As for plant sales, one of the best resources I've found is one you may already be familiar with - a magazine called Florida Gardening. Lowes carries it (and they discount all their magazines too).

Some other local garden-y things you might want to check out:

The Cummer Museum & Gardens:

http://cummer.org/

The Treaty Oak:

http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/...909&page_id=16

The Ravine Gardens in Palatka:

http://www.floridastateparks.org/rav...ns/default.cfm

The Azalea festival is their big thing, but this is a great garden any time of the year.

The Devil's Millhopper in Gainesville:

http://www.floridastateparks.org/dev...er/default.cfm

There's also a garden in southern St. Augustine - I can't remember where....maybe near Marineland? or the Matanzas Inlet? Anyway, it was very pretty and they had a nice butterfly garden. If anyone knows which garden/park I'm referring to, please post the name - I'd love to visit it again .

[Samierra]

Originally Posted by riveree

There's also a garden in southern St. Augustine - I can't remember where....maybe near Marineland? or the Matanzas Inlet? Anyway, it was very pretty and they had a nice butterfly garden. If anyone knows which garden/park I'm referring to, please post the name - I'd love to visit it again .

Might this be the Washington Oaks State Gardens? I googled "butterfly garden" in St. Aug. & this is what came up - it looks beautiful.
try these sights:

Washington Oaks State Gardens

St. Augustine Beach Guide to Community Information

I'm so excited about all the great places there are to explore in the Jax area - with 2 small kids, I'm always looking for something new to do.

Thanks again for all the great info.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Samierra

Might this be the Washington Oaks State Gardens? I googled "butterfly garden" in St. Aug. & this is what came up - it looks beautiful.
try these sights:

Washington Oaks State Gardens

I think that might be it.....thanks Samierra .