Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program Calendar
This calendar contains a list of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ programs, programs offered by the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service, and other landscaping related events.
For more information, or to register for the events and workshops listed below, click on the blue titles and they will send you to the appropriate link. Please email any additional questions or call (863) 519-8677. If you are registering for a workshop you WILL NOT receive confirmation.
January 2012
Polk County Youth Fair
January 21-27
UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service, 1702 US Hwy 17 South, Bartow
For a schedule of events go to the Youth Fair website .
February 2012
Friendly Florida Parks
Thursday, February 2, 10:00 a.m.
Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve, 900 Mackay Blvd., Lake Alfred
Join the Polk County Master Gardeners on the first Thursday of each month as they present a free gardening lecture. No sign-up is required.
Community Shoreline Cleanup
Saturday, February 11, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Lake Bonny Boat Ramp, 1600 E. Main Street, Lakeland
For more information contact Cindy Hill, Lakeland Lakes Program Coordinator, (863) 834-8429 or cindy.hill@lakelandgov.net
March 2012
Nature and History Walking Tour
Thursday, March 1, 10:00 a.m.
Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve, 900 Mackay Blvd., Lake Alfred
Join the Polk County Master Gardeners on the first Thursday of each month as they present a free gardening lecture. This month we will take the educational program outdoors for a pleasant and informative one-mile tour, hosted by Steve Franklin, an experienced and enthusiastic interpretive guide. We will also be joined by Benny Bindshadler, who will identify many of the wild and cultivated plants along the way. Wear comforable shoes and bring a bottle of water. We will meet in the pavilion/playground area NOT at the Mackay house. No registation is required.
Spring Obsession
Saturday, March 10, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Munn Park, Downtown Lakeland (between Main and Kentucky)
Are you a garden enthusiast? Looking for plants to spruce up your garden? Interested in garden art, learning more about landscaping in Florida or how to care for your plants? Join the Master Gardeners and the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program in Munn Park! Lots of vendors, free information from the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service and free gardening lectures throughout the day. For more information go to
http://www.springbsession.org.
Community Shoreline Cleanup
Saturday, March 10, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Lake Beulah-Veterans Park, 2 Lake Beulah Drive, Lakeland
For more information contact Cindy Hill, Lakeland Lakes Program Coordinator, (863) 834-8429 or cindy.hill@lakelandgov.net.
April 2012
WATER CONSERVATION MONTH
Rain Barrel Workshop
Thursday, April 5, 10:00 a.m.
Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve, 900 Mackay Blvd., Lake Alfred
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program will present a free workshop on how to conserve water using a rain barrel. Collecting rain water can be fun and easy, and can save you money on your monthly water bill. No rain barrels will be for sale at this workshop (coupons for barrel purchase at the Extension Service will be provided to participants). Registration is not required.
Community Shoreline Cleanup
Saturday, April 14, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Lake Parker Park, 910 E. Granada Street, Lakeland
For more information contact Cindy Hill, Lakeland Lakes Program Coordinator, (863) 834-8429 or cindy.hill@lakelandgov.net
Platform Art Party #19: Art in AgriCulture
Saturday, April 28, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
St. Joesph's Catholic Church parking lot, Lakeland
This art festival will result in environmental landscape improvements, as well as the design, production and installation of a signature public art piece that will be installed at the Orange Street Bridge, serving as the gateway from the Lakeland Center and Hyatt Hotel into downtown Lakeland.
Come and celebrate Polk County's agricultural roots with the Polk County Master Gardeners and the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program. See (and purchase) rain barrels painted by local art students, learn about Polk County agriculture and the programs at the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service. For more information go to Platform Art.
May 2012
Gardening for Butterflies
Thursday, May 3, 10:00 a.m.
Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve, 900 Mackay Blvd., Lake Alfred
Join the Polk County Master Gardeners on the first Thursday of each month as they present a free gardening lecture. Discover the joys of attracting butterflies to your home garden. Participants will learn about the many species of butterflies that visit or live in Florida, and how to attract them to the garden. No sign-up is required.
Community Shoreline Cleanup
Saturday, May 12, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Lake Hunter Boat Ramp, 650 Sikes Blvd. Lakeland
For more information contact Cindy Hill, Lakeland Lakes Program Coordinator, (863) 834-8429 or cindy.hill@lakelandgov.net
June 2012
Florida's Glorious Wildflowers
Thursday, June 7, 10:00 a.m.
Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve, 900 Mackay Blvd., Lake Alfred
Join the Polk County Master Gardeners on the first Thursday of each month as they present a free gardening lecture. Find out about the many and sometimes forgotten wildflowers of Florida. Learn how you can bring these flowers into your home landscape. No sign-up is required.
Community Shoreline Cleanup
Saturday, June 9, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Lake WIre-Behind Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, 20 Lake Wire Drive, Lakeland
For more information contact Cindy Hill, Lakeland Lakes Program Coordinator, (863) 834-8429 or cindy.hill@lakelandgov.net
July 2012
Landscaping with Natives
Thursday, July 5, 10:00 a.m.
Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve, 900 Mackay Blvd., Lake Alfred
Join the Polk County Master Gardeners on the first Thursday of each month as they present a free gardening lecture. What are native plants? How can they work in my garden? Where can I get them? Gardeners will leave this program with a list of must-have plants that requie minimal care and deliver maximum landscape beauty. No sign-up is required.
Community Shoreline Cleanup
Saturday, July 14, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Lake Mirror-Next to the Lakeland FIre Dept., 729 E. Main Street, Lakeland
For more information contact Cindy Hill, Lakeland Lakes Program Coordinator, (863) 834-8429 or cindy.hill@lakelandgov.net
August 2012
Composting Workshop
Thursday, August 2, 10:00 a.m.
Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve, 900 Mackay Blvd., Lake Alfred
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program will present a free workshop on how to create compost, no matter how much space, time or "stuff" you have! No registration is required.
September 2012
Cardboard Boat Challenge and Lakes Festival
Saturday, September 15, 10:00 a.m. (boat building starts at 8:30)
Lake Hollingsworth Boat Ramp, 920 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland
Create a team and construct your own boat to race in Lake Hollingsworth or come and watch the racing excitement! For more information contact Cindy Hill, Lakeland Lakes Program Coordinator, (863) 834-8429 or cindy.hill@lakelandgov.net
October 2012
November 2012
December 2012
