UF Ext. Service for Okaloosa County

February 7, 2018 The question of what happens to the family farm is often riddled with many emotional opinions.  So much so, that families may not communicate effectively about their wishes or plans.  Many life events can change the dynamics of a family farm.  Whether marriage, children, divorce, illness, retirement or death, significant events can require a plan or a ...

Get prepared for the spring season by learning what vegetables to grow and how to care for them by attending a class on spring vegetable gardening taught by Norene Gideon, Florida Master Gardener. The program is free to attend without preregistration and is available at two locations: 10 a.m. Feb. 9, Santa Rosa County Extension Office, 6263 Dogwood Drive in ...

January 29, 2018 As a community service, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Camellia Society (GFWBCS), which is over 50 years old, conducts a free yearly Camellia Workshop to introduce the camellia to area residents. This year’s workshop will be held Saturday, February 3, 9 a.m. to Noon at the Okaloosa County Extension Annex located at 127 NW Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton ...

January 26, 2018 by Jennifer Bearden. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. EEE most often infects horses but can infect humans.  There is no vaccine for humans and approximately 1/3 of those infected die of the disease. The majority of those who survive, suffer brain damage.  The mortality rate in horses is 70-90%.  Fortunately ...

January 26, 2018 Upcoming Events Friday, January 26th, 9:00 am, Join UF IFAS Extension Escambia County for Starting Plants from Seed!  This program will include information on all the planting techniques in containers so you get a jump start on your edible and ornamental growing season.  Learn why growing your own plants from seed can be so rewarding.  Please pre-register at https://ufstartingseeds.eventbrite.com or ...

January 26, 2018 by Carrie Stevenson Imagine you are enjoying perfect fall weather on a hike with your family, when suddenly you come upon a ghost. Translucent white, small and creeping out of the ground behind a tree, you stop and look closer to figure out what it is you’ve just seen. In such an environment, the “ghost” you might come ...

January 13, 2018 by Larry Williams In celebration of Florida’s Arbor Day, free tree seedlings will be given away Friday, January 19th in Crestview and Saturday, January 20th in Fort Walton Beach. These events are sponsored by the Florida Forest Service, the Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the City of Crestview, the Garnier Beach Garden Club and the City ...

January 11, 2018 Are you guilty of “Crape Murder”, the dreaded horticultural sin that involves lopping off your beautiful Crape Myrtles fence post high and creating gnarly looking knuckles?  No need to raise hands, you know who you are!  Despite the cruelness of this act, all is not lost; there is still time to repent and change your ways!  The ...

January 5, 2018 January and February are the coldest months in Florida, and plants can be damaged by low temperatures. But with your help, cold-damaged plants can often recover. Water After a freeze, check the soil around your plants. Plants may not be getting the water they need if the soil has dried out or if the water in the ...

January 5, 2018 The Okaloosa County Master Gardeners and the University of Florida Extension Office in Okaloosa County will offer an eight week winter “Gardening in the Florida Panhandle” course in Fort Walton Beach. Whether you’re interested in vegetable gardening, landscaping or lawns or simply learning how to enjoy your yard more by working less, these classes offer something for ...