As a young girl growing up in south Florida and the Caribbean, Nickie Munroe said she often found herself in trouble at school. Munroe said the trouble became less bothersome when she began tending to plants.
Today, she is a master gardener coordinator who considers the plants her friends.
“I’ve always had plant friends. They speak to me and I understand. They’re not arbitrary like humans,” Munroe said. “Weeding or installing plants changes the whole environment. It is a great way to make a difference.”
Digging up dirt, placing plants in the soil, and laying down a bed of mulch is a familiar routine for Munroe. Munroe has been teaching for eight years as the environmental horticulture agent in the county. One of the places where Munroe teaches is at a small garden in Gifford, enlightening people about the process of growing plants and re-introducing Florida’s natives.
“We love people who’ve never gardened before,” said Munroe, who teaches plant science and horticulture. “You don’t need to be a gardening expert. Come with a good attitude and we’ll take care of the rest.”
The ‘learning garden’ contains a variety of plants, including natives such as the Simpson Stopper, Porterweed, Stoke’s Aster, Milkweed, Firebush, Beautyberry, Wild Coffee, Coreopsis, red Salvia, Privet Senna and Rudbeckia. The garden also has low-maintenance, non-invasive species of plants.
Over the growing seasons, vibrant splashes of red, purple, pink and yellow sprout from the leafy plants growing in the circle-shaped garden.
The biggest impact, Munroe says, has been recruiting volunteers of all ages to help beautify the garden, located in a small, fenced area just south of the Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC). Munroe organized the ‘Garden Blitz’ events this year in hopes to teach people about gardening while building community.
“It lets us get a lot of work done at once. It gets the community engaged so people can feel like they’re part of the garden,” said Munroe, who also teaches a junior master gardener class at GYAC. “It’s a way to add more beauty to the world. I want people to say, ‘we accomplished something.’ (The events) allow people to feel like they have purpose.”
Garden Blitz
The gatherings, organized by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, were held Aug. 24 and Sept. 13 at the garden located at the Victor Hart Sr. Community Enhancement Complex. Munroe said she’s planning to host more Garden Blitz events in the near future.
Munroe said the University of Florida is a land-grant university. Land-grand universities focus on a mission to teach practical agriculture, military science, engineering and classical studies.
“Our job is to take the school to the people,” Munroe said. “We do the research to develop things that are important for people in Florida.”
In May 2023, Munroe applied for a $4,923 grant from the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program to operate the garden as a teaching space. The grant allows master gardeners to set up small demonstration pots that are visible to people passing by.
Maintaining the small space is made possible through a joint effort between Indian River County and state officials. The project, named “GYAC Garden Florida – Friendly Landscaping Demonstration,” functions under the county’s Extension Environmental Horticulture Program.
Since then, Munroe and volunteers have worked to place new plants outside of the fence line.
“I want to expose people to how they can add native plants into their landscapes. We can grow a variety of native plants…plants that will do well in the sun and shade, are well-mulched and drought tolerant,” said Munroe, noting that she chose plants that will seldom need water. “This will help people make better plant selections. It’s better for the overall environment.”
Come with a good attitude
At the Garden Blitz events, volunteers learn different techniques while placing plants in mini gardens, each with a different theme. The events provide access for people without yards at home to do gardening.
No previous gardening experience is required to participate. The only items volunteers need are gardening gloves, tools (if they have them) and a great attitude.
Munroe said the group plans to have a potting day at the garden.
Making better food choices
Munroe said she plans to continue teaching classes at GYAC this fall, using the 4H Junior Master Gardener Curriculum and the Growing Up Florida Friendly Curriculum – a children’s guide for landscaping. The fourth and fifth-graders flock to the same garden across from GYAC for Friday classes.
At the end of the sessions, students get certified as junior master gardeners.
“We’ve been certifying children as junior master gardeners for three years,” Munroe said. “The kids get a certificate and a gardening kit at the end of the program.”
Munroe said the classes teach children how to make better food choices and helps them sprout into leaders.
“Fruits…vegetables…it’s a matter of saying to children ‘try new things,'” Munroe said. “When you get choices to make, make better choices. The children leave feeling empowered.”
Munroe, who recalls growing up in an unstable household, says teaching children at GYAC is personal for her.
“Children do not get to make their decisions. They don’t get to choose parents or guardians who are functional,” Munroe said. “(Teaching at GYAC), I get to be an accepting, understanding and kind person to them, no matter their circumstances. And I share plants with them.”
For more information on upcoming Garden Blitz events, follow the UF IFAS Indian River County Master Gardeners page on Facebook or contact Munroe at [email protected].
Photos by Elise Schuchman
