Mission offers supplies for food gardens PINELLAS PARK – The Suncoast Haven of Rest Rescue Mission is starting a new program to encourage food gardening. The first 50 adult residents of Pinellas County who register with the mission will receive a free “Earthbox,” which is a mobile self-contained growing unit with peat and supplies worth $70, and a choice of six of 12 different packets of seeds. Participants will receive the supplies by attending a free class on how to grow food, taught by a master gardener from the Pinellas County Extension Service. Classes will be presented twice on Mondays, noon to 1:30 p.m., and 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the mission, 5625 Park Blvd. in Pinellas Park, starting July 9. To register, call 545-8282.
Tampa African Violet Society meeting TAMPA – The Tampa African Violet Society will meet Thursday, July 5, 7 p.m., at the Common Ground Christian Church, 4207 North Blvd., Tampa. Dottie Cesario will give the program on “sports, mutations and other violet surprises.” The meeting will include a plant raffle and growing tips will be offered. Visitors are welcome. Admission and parking are free. Call Jim Boyer at 871-2014 or email jasb39@gmail.com.
Begonias 101 ST. PETERSBURG – Begonias 101 will be presented Wednesday, July 25, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at St. Petersburg Library, 3745 Ninth Ave. N. Dale Sena of the Tampa Bay Begonia Society will the workshop which will cover “everything you need to know to start raising these beautiful and versatile plants.” Registration is required. To register, call 582-2603 and leave a message with name, telephone number and email address.
Rain harvesting workshop LARGO – A rain harvesting workshop will be presented Saturday, July 28, 9 to 10:30 a.m., at Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road. Attendees will learn how to save rainwater in a recycled plastic barrel. The collected water may be used for plant beds, potted plants and vegetable and herb gardens. With payment of $10 advance registration fee, each attendee will receive the booklet “Building and Installing the Rain Barrel,” one 60-gallon plastic barrel and a 3/4-inch spigot. Registration is required. Visit pce-lawnandgarden.eventbrite.com.
Garden tours LARGO – Free garden tours will be offered Tuesdays, July 10, 24, Aug. 7 and 21, 9 to 11 a.m., at Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road. Participants will enjoy a stroll through the Florida Botanical Gardens and discover how to incorporate some of Florida native and Florida-friendly plants in home landscapes. Attendees will observe how the same plants can survive under different light and water conditions. Tours, recommended for adults, are limited to groups of four to 10 people. Registration is required. Visit pce-lawnandgarden.eventbrite.com.
Herb, fruit garden tours LARGO – Free herb and tropical fruit garden tours will be offered Thursdays, July 19, Aug. 2, 9, 16 and 30, 9 to 11 a.m., at 12520 Ulmerton Road. Attendees will explore the Florida-friendly ground covers, vegetable gardening in raised beds, and the herb and tropical fruit gardens. The herb garden delights visitors with the scents, colors and historical uses of medicinal, culinary and ceremonial plants. Tips will be offered on what crops can be raised locally with success. Tours are recommended for adults and limited to groups of four to 10 people. Registration is required. Visit pce-lawnandgarden.eventbrite.com.
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