Tuesday, January 3, 2012 - Extension Office Offers Codl Weather Preparedness Resources

St. Lucie County is not immune to occasional cold weather. Tonight’s overnight temperatures are projected to be in the low to mid-30s. The Extension Office is receiving calls from local residents and agri-businesses requesting cold weather preparedness information. To help meet these needs, a website has been created to provide University of Florida research based information at http://stlucie.ifas.ufl.edu.

In addition, the following experts are available for advice:

For residential landscapes questions, please contact the St Lucie County Master Gardeners or Environmental Horticulture Agent Anita Neal at 772-462-1660 or asn@ufl.edu. Additional experts are available to assist local agri-businesses. Commercial ornamental producers and row crop farmers can contact Commercial Horticulture Agent Ed Skvarch for advice at the same number or eask@ufl.edu. The commercial citrus industry can contact Commercial Citrus Agent Tim Gaver at tgaver.49@ufl.edu.

As a reminder, 4-H / Livestock Agent Sue Munyan (sjmunyan@ufl.edu) encourages people to bring their pets indoors when cold weather is forecast. In addition, Natural Resource Extension Agent Ken Gioeli is available to share information on the potential impacts of cold weather on wildlife and the environment. This cold weather is most likely to impact non-native plants and animals. Impacts may be noticeable to populations of non-native tropical fish and invasive reptiles and amphibians.

The St. Lucie County Extension Office has launched a cold weather resources website. This site can be accessed at http://stlucie.ifas.ufl.edu This site features the Florida Automated Weather Network information as well as information on preparing your plants for cold weather. Information about this website can be directed to Ken Gioeli, webmaster and natural resources agent, at 772-462-1660 or via email ktgioeli@ufl.edu.

For additional cold weather-related information, please contact the St. Lucie County Extension Office at 772-462-1660. The St. Lucie County Cooperative Extension is a division of the St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department and the University of Florida / IFAS Extension.