People interested in growing things come from all angles. For
three big groups — gardeners, greenhouse growers and nursery,
landscape and turf professionals — three universities from three
states have put together the Tri-state Horticulture Short Course
Aug. 23 in Milton, Fla.

Georgia, Florida and Auburn may fight it out in sports, but their
extension services have joined to put on quite a program. From 9
a.m. until 4:35 p.m. in three parallel tracks, 18 university and
industry experts will speak in 24 sessions, eight in each
track.

Home gardeners will have sessions on coastal plain soils,
effective use of screens, water-wise landscapes, thirsty
butterflies, garden plants, weeds in turf, insects and flowering
vines.

Greenhouse topics

The greenhouse folks will learn about plant growth regulators,
potting-mix basics, plant diseases, insect ID, heat-loving
annuals, greenhouse safety, Boston ferns and fertilizers.

And the nursery, landscape and turf track includes ornamental
grasses, insect ID, turf weed control, container crop weeds, new
landscape plants, pot-in-pot production, worker safety and water
testing.

Pesticide applicator license holders will get 6 credits in
category 24.

The fee is $55 and includes lunch. You must preregister by Aug.
10. You can register on-line
(wfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/WFREC/horticulture/
horticulture.htm). For more information, call Robin Vickers
at (850) 983-5216, extension 100.