Wellington Garden Club to tackle water conservation at March meeting

Dr. Kimberly Moore, a professor of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida, is speaking at the Wellington Garden Club's monthly meeting. [Photo by the Wellington Garden Club]

In a region where lush landscapes are part of the lifestyle, Wellington residents may be surprised to learn they could be loving their plants a little too much—at least when it comes to watering them.

On Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m., the Wellington Garden Club will host Dr. Kimberly Moore, a professor of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida's IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, for a presentation titled "Turn Off Your Sprinklers, Your Plants Aren't That Thirsty." The meeting, held at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.), promises to challenge conventional thinking about landscape irrigation and offer practical solutions for sustainable gardening in South Florida.

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Dr. Moore's presentation will explore alternative growing substrates such as compost and the use of reclaimed wastewater. Her research focuses on nutritional management strategies for ornamental crops that reduce fertilizer pollution while improving plant health. She also investigates the effects of salt water on plant growth and developing methods to enhance water management.

Dr. Moore earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in horticulture from Iowa State University and her B.S. in Environmental Science and Botany. In addition to her research work, she teaches Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry and Nutritional Management at University of Florida.

The Wellington Garden Club, founded in 1981, has long served as a hub for horticultural education and environmental advocacy in the community. As a nonprofit organization, the club is dedicated to educating members and the public in gardening, horticulture, floral design and landscape design while promoting conservation of natural resources and civic beautification.

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For the March 2 meeting, the public is invited to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and a plant raffle before the presentation begins. Visitors are asked to check in at the desk upon arrival, and reserving a spot is recommended by contacting Membership Chair Anne Hlasnicek at ideasmith@comcast.net.

As water conservation becomes increasingly critical in Florida, events like this offer valuable guidance for homeowners looking to maintain beautiful landscapes while being responsible environmental stewards. Dr. Moore's research-based approach promises to deliver science-backed recommendations that Wellington gardeners can implement immediately.

For more information about the Wellington Garden Club visit www.wellingtongardenclub.org.