Growing Your Own Food the Florida-Friendly Way

Growing Your Own Food the Florida-Friendly Way

Workshop on soil preparation, raised bed gardening, companion planting, and other food production best practices.

By UF/IFAS Extension Indian River County

Date and time

Saturday, June 21 · 10 - 11:30am EDT

Location

Intergenerational Recreation Center

1590 9th Street Southwest Vero Beach, FL 32962

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

About this event

  • Event lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Growing Your Own Food the Florida-Friendly Way

Workshop Overview

Description:
Florida’s climate presents both opportunities and challenges for growing food at home. This workshop will guide participants through the essentials of soil preparation, raised bed gardening, companion planting, and other best practices to create a productive and sustainable edible garden. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your food-growing skills, this class will help you grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs the Florida-Friendly way! 🌱🍅

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, participants will:
✅ Understand how to prepare and improve Florida’s sandy soils for food production
✅ Learn the benefits and construction techniques for raised bed gardening
✅ Discover companion planting strategies to naturally deter pests and boost plant health
✅ Explore efficient watering and fertilization methods for a successful harvest
✅ Gain practical insights into seasonal planting schedules for Florida’s climate

Topics Covered:

🌱 Soil Health & Preparation – Amending Florida’s sandy soil, composting, and soil testing
🛠️ Raised Bed Gardening – Benefits, materials, and construction tips
🌿 Companion Planting & Natural Pest Control – Best plant pairings and organic solutions
💧 Watering & Fertilization Best Practices – Drip irrigation, mulch use, and slow-release fertilizers
📅 Florida’s Growing Seasons – What to plant and when for year-round harvests

Hands-On Activity: Raised Bed & Companion Planting Demo

Participants will:
🔹 Learn how to build and fill a raised bed garden for maximum productivity
🔹 Plan a companion planting layout to optimize space and plant health
🔹 Take home portable garden planter box

Who Should Attend?

🏡 Homeowners & renters interested in growing food in limited space
👩‍🌾 Beginner gardeners looking for Florida-specific advice
🌍 Sustainability advocates wanting to grow food with fewer resources

This workshop will provide the knowledge and confidence to grow your own food successfully in Florida’s unique environment. Join us and take the first step toward a more sustainable, homegrown harvest! 🍓🥕🌱

Organized by

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in Indian River County is a partnership between UF/IFAS, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Indian River County government, providing educational programs based on the latest research and technology.

The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Indian River County Office at indian@ifas.ufl.edu or (772) 226-4330 at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution

Contact

indian@ifas.ufl.edu

(772) 226-4330

1800 27th Street, Ste. B

Vero Beach, FL 32960

HoursMonday - Friday8:30 AM - 5 PM

$39.19