Grapes in the Garden: A Muscadine Field Day

Come join us for a fun-filled day exploring muscadine grapes and beautiful gardens at Grapes & Gardens: A Muscadine Field Day!

About this Event

Grapes and Gardens: A Muscadine Field Day for Homeowners

Description:Discover how to grow and enjoy muscadine grapes right at home! Join UF/IFAS Extension agents and specialists for a hands-on field day covering everything from trellising and irrigation to pest management and top-performing varieties for Florida landscapes.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to improve your grape-growing success, this program offers practical tips and expert insights to help your vines thrive.

Topics include:

• Planting, trellising, irrigation, and fertilization
• Common pests and problems in home vineyards
• Recommended varieties for backyard growers
• Florida-Friendly Landscaping considerations
• Cooking and recipes using muscadines
• Optional U-Pick grape harvesting

🎟 Ticket Options:Choose the registration that fits you best:

• General Admission – Attend the field day and enjoy all sessions.
• Grapevine Ticket – Includes event admission plus a 1-gallon muscadine grapevine to take home.

Varieties:

• Southern Home – A unique hybrid muscadine with ornamental, deeply lobed leaves and black fruit with a mild, non-muscadine flavor. Ripens August to November.
• Delicious – A black muscadine from UF with excellent flavor, thin edible skin, and early, even ripening. Ripens from late July through mid-October. Great for fresh eating and shows potential for wine production.
• Welder – A bronze muscadine with a long ripening season, ideal for juice or wine. Ripens from late August to early September and often requires multiple harvests for full yield.

👟 What to Bring:Parts of this event will take place outdoors. We recommend wearing closed-toed shoes or sneakers, and bringing a hat, sunscreen, and a sweat towel to stay comfortable during vineyard activities.

Note: This program includes a food demonstration with samples. For food safety and planning purposes, please complete a separate ticket for each participant so we can collect accurate dietary information.

Speakers:

Julio Perez – Horticulture Agent, UF/IFAS Putnam County

Judy Jean – Horticulture Agent, UF/IFAS Flagler County

Terra Freeman – Florida-Friendly Landscaping & Commercial Horticulture Agent

Dr. Ali Sarkhosh – UF/IFAS Tree Fruit & Viticulture Specialist

Ryan Bjelke – Rural Health Agent, UF/IFAS Putnam County

Important Information:

• Accessibility: The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and alternate formats of written material, please contact Julio Perez at or 386-329-0318 at least 10 days in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
• Registration & Refunds: General Admission Ticket sales will close 24 hours before the start of the program. 'Admission with Vine' Tickets will close August 6th at 5pm. Refunds and cancellations must be requested and processed 48 hours before the program date. No Refunds will be issued for 'Admission and Plant Vines' purchases after August 6th.

Agenda


🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Grape Expectations: How to Pick Like a Pro and Check-in

Info: Get a quick lesson on how to spot ripe muscadine grapes and pick them the right way, then head into the vineyard to harvest at your own pace. This is a great chance to learn and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 PM
Welcome and Introductions

🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:15 AM
From Ground to Grapes
Host: Judy Jean

Info: Learn how to start your muscadine vineyard the right way. This session will cover how to choose the right planting site, install simple trellises, set up irrigation, and apply fertilizer for healthy vine growth and fruit production.

🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Trouble in the Vineyard: Common Pests and Problems
Host: Julio Perez

Info: Discover the most common insect pests and diseases that affect muscadine grapes in Florida. You'll learn how to spot symptoms early and manage issues using Florida-Friendly practices.

🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:20 AM
Break

🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM
UF Favorites & Backyard Standout
Host: Dr. Ali Sarkhosh

Info: Explore top-performing muscadine varieties developed or recommended by UF/IFAS. Learn what makes each variety unique and how to choose the best fit for your home garden or landscape.

🕑: 11:50 AM - 12:20 PM
TBA
Host: Terra Freeman

🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
From Vine to Dine
Host: Ryan Bjelke

Info: Take your muscadines from harvest to table. This session highlights creative and healthy ways to use fresh-picked grapes in the kitchen, with simple recipe ideas and preservation tips.

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Sweet Send-Off: U-Pick Time

Info: Wrap up the day with more time in the vineyard. This optional session gives you a chance to head back out and harvest additional muscadine grapes at your own pace.

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