An edition of: WaterAtlas.orgPresented By: Orange County, USF Water Institute

Water-Related News

Flower Power: Master Gardener Volunteers Help Beautify Orange County

Do you know how to choose the right plant for the right place? This is a key focus of UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, a division of Orange County’s Community and Family Services Department, and the Master Gardener Volunteer Program.

Master Gardener Volunteers ensure that all residents know what plant will flourish in the local landscape. On a larger scale, this benefits local ecosystems because people use less water, less fertilizer and less pesticides when they choose and maintain the appropriate plants.

With so many new people moving to Central Florida, understanding the horticultural nuances of the region is critical to maintaining healthy landscapes, and having well-trained volunteers who can assist them in this regard ultimately serves the entire community.

Participants engage in 12 weeks of intensive educational training on soil science, entomology (plant insects), plant pathology (bacterial/fungal diagnostics), vegetable gardening, turf grass, palm trees, and more. Once training is completed, they log 75 hours of volunteering before earning the Master Gardener Volunteer designation.