November 2018
The calm after the storm Recovery and cleanup following the devastation of a storm such as Michael begins by removing one limb at a time, one neighbor helping another neighbor, one word of encouragement, which in turn becomes a community pulling together to see order come from chaos. Despite inconveniences of not having power there is something about it that is surreal. At night without any electric lights, including streetlights, the sky is stunning. The stars are extra bright against the blackness. The moon illuminates the occasional cloud. Lights from a passing vehicle rarely interrupt the darkness because of a curfew. It’s the calm after the storm.
At night much of the damage is unseen, it’s peaceful. The unfamiliar sound of generators in the distance, and voices from neighbors can be heard because the windows are open or they are sitting outside, resting from a hard day’s work of repair, not stuck away in a closed, air-conditioned house with the TV on. The smells of freshly cut wood, and grills cooking food before it spoils and the clean night air are enticing, probably reminiscent of days gone by.
The worries and thoughts of all the other world’s problems are temporally forgotten. And then, reality sets in. Tomorrow, work must be done. It’s time to call it a day, go to bed and try to sleep. Tomorrow, again the chain saws will be going full blast, the cuts and scrapes from picking up limbs, branches and other debris, the raking and bag-
ging of trash, cleaning out refrigerators and freezers, the tree trimmers and power and cable trucks will be busy up and down the streets. The mountain of debris in front of virtually every home can be seen. We’ve been blessed with nice weather following the storm to do our cleanup. And have you noticed the butterflies? I was drained from the work, took a break from the chainsaw and noticed a couple of beautiful butterflies working the flowers of surviving pentas – the calm after the storm. There are hundreds of churches, thousands of neighbors, and government agencies, community organizations, volunteer groups, the media… all working with one purpose, one objective. It’s the irony of a community touched by tragedy that motivates us to come together during an unbelievably stressful, difficult time that may seem impossible when one considers the immense size of the job ahead. There are permanent losses. The families and friends of those that lost loved ones are in all of our prayers and thoughts. A community pulling together to salvage what’s left. There’s much to be done. But it can be done. It will be done. It will be
done one limb at a time, one neighbor helping one neighbor, one word of encouragement… and before you know it, it will all be pieced back together. Larry Williams, UF/IFAS Extension Agent, Okaloosa County, October 26, 2018 2
HURRICANE MICHAEL DISTRUCTION
Dear Master Gardener, Even though this advanced training is in Sumter County, around 370 miles away, I wanted you to be aware of it. It looks like a good training. The training will be held at the Sumter County Fairgrounds located at 7620 State Rd 471 in Bushnell, Florida.
Attached is the agenda for the Master Gardener Advanced Diagnostic Training scheduled for November 14 at the UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County Office at the Sumter County Fairgrounds in Expo 5. Specialists and experts in their field will share the information that will benefit Master Gardeners in improving their plant diagnostic skills. The UF/IFAS bookstore will be at this event with books, logo items for purchase. The fee is $25 and includes lunch and materials. Here is the link for registration:
A Note to all MGs: A name and home phone number were recently given to a client who wanted a home visit. That is not the way the system works. A home visit request should be given to the coordinator (Ginny) or me if she is unavailable, and it will be sent out to the membership. The volunteer(s) will then call the client. Never pass another MG’s home phone number to a customer without permission. Photos: Larry Williams
https://advanced-mg-diagnostictraining.eventbrite.com If you have questions about this training, please contact Lisa Sanderson, Sumter County Residential Horticulture Agent. The phone number is 352-569-6862 and her email is lsanderson@ufl.edu.
3
Fall Color Without Harming the Habitat As the trees begin to turn various shades of red, many people begin to inquire about the Popcorn trees. While their autumn coloration is one of the reasons they were introduced to the Florida environment, it took years for us to realize what a menace Popcorn trees become. Triadica sebifera, the Chinese tallowtree or Popcorn tree, was introduced to Charleston, South Carolina in the late 1700s for oil production and use in making candles, earning it another common name, the Candleberry tree. Since then, it has spread to every coastal state from North Carolina to Texas, and inland to Arkansas. In Florida it occurs as far south as Tampa. It is most likely to spread to wildlands adjacent to or downstream from areas landscaped with Triadica sebifera, displacing other native plant species in those habitats. Therefore, Chinese tallowtree was listed as a noxious weed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Noxious Weed List (5b-57.007 FAC) in 1998, which means that possession with the intent to sell, transport, or plant is illegal in the state of Florida. The common name of Florida Aspen is sometimes used to market Popcorn tree in mail-order ads. Remember it’s still the same plant.
Although Florida is not known for the brilliant fall color enjoyed by other northern and western states, we do have a number of trees that provide some fall color for our North Florida landscapes. Red maple, Acer rubrum, provides brilliant red, orange and sometimes yellow leaves. The native Florida maple, Acer floridum, displays a combination of bright yellow and orange color during fall. And there are many Trident and Japanese maples that provide striking fall color. Another excellent native tree is Blackgum, Nyssa sylvatica. This tree is a little slow in its
growth rate but can eventually grow to seventy-five feet in height. It provides the earliest show of red to deep purple fall foliage. Others include Persimmon, Diospyros virginiana, Sumac, Rhus spp. and Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua. In cultivated trees that pose no threat to native ecosystems, Crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia spp. offers varying degrees of orange, red and yellow in its leaves before they fall. There are many cul-
University of Florida/IFAS Extension – “ The Foundation for the Gator Nation” an Equal Opportunity Institution.
4
tivars – some that grow several feet to others that reach nearly thirty feet in height. Also, Chinese pistache, Pistacia chinensis, can deliver a brilliant orange display.
There are a number of dependable oaks for fall color, too. Shumardi, Southern Red and Turkey are a few to consider. These oaks have dark green deeply lobed leaves during summer turning vivid red to orange in fall. Turkey oak holds onto its leaves all winter as they turn to brown and are pushed off by new spring growth. Our native Yellow poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera, and hickories, Carya spp., provide bright yellow fall foliage. And it’s difficult to find a more crisp yellow than fallen Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba, leaves. These trees represent just a few choices for fall color. Including one or several of these trees in your landscape, rather than allowing the Popcorn trees to grow, will enhance the season while protecting the ecosystem from invasive plant pests.
Crestview Landscaping Thank you, thank you to Stan, Linda Morris, Marsha, Marg, Ed & Lynn, and Debbie Bruning for braving the heat (would someone remind Mother Nature it is autumn?!?) and working at the CV landscape this morning The bedding plants have been installed as well as the natives. I was hoping to put the landscape to bed this month, but since there has been little participation this fall, we are going to have to have a landscape workday in December….particularly if we want it to look nice for the Xmas party. There is knee-high Chamberbitter in the parking lot beds and the weeds are peeking through the pine straw in the front beds. So,… the next landscape workday is December 5th – please everyone come and help!
Schedule for next year – 2019 - has been determined and is as follows: •
Feb 6th
•
March 6th
•
April 3rd
•
May 1st
•
Sept 4th
•
Oct 2nd
•
Nov 6th
•
Dec 4th (if needed)
PLEASE save these dates!
The January workday is not settled yet – more info to come when that has been finalized
Stacey
Bill Buckellew [mailto:bbnb3@yahoo.com]
For more information on Chinese tallowtree, removal techniques and native alternative trees go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag148.
I have an Ecotonix compost maker to give away. It has a crank-powered An appeaser is one who feeds chopper that turns veggie scraps into a crocodile, hoping that it will little pieces that you can put into your eat him last. Winston Churchill bin. Free to whoever asks 1st. Humor contributed by: SCOTT BERRY
5
6
7
8
I would like to thank everyone who attended the General Membership meeting on Thursday, 18 October. I would especially like to thank everyone who pitched in and helped with making coffee, set up and clean up. I’m sorry for the confusion due to the date change and that it wasn’t on a Wednesday. The date was changed due to the conflict with the conference and field trip and Thursday was the only date available.
those professionals were but now I know what I suspected before. They knew nothing about the plants they put in or they didn’t care. I’m constantly having to battle bushes and plants that are way too big for the spaces that they occupy. I have almost conAs you know, the regional conference has been postponed due to vinced my husband that we have 3 Hurricane Michael. Watch your email for an announcement of trees that need to come out. At the dates. It will be in either January or February depending on least one of the trees most likely was a cull tree. Maybe the the availability of the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. If you landscaper got it for free or at a deeply discounted price. I’m signed up for the original dates, you should have received an sure the original owners paid a pretty penny for all the work. email about the cancellation and one about the refund. Had I known then what I know now, we could have removed Thinking of our neighbors to the east and Hurricane Michael, those trees ourselves when they were much smaller. Larry showed pictures and videos of the devastation that he took Before I knew better, I was definitely a “plop, plop, fizz, fizz” when he went to help extension agents in the affected area. The gardener. I would get a plant and just drop it in a hole in a destruction was overwhelming to see. It made me realize just space that was empty. No thought as its growing conditions, how lucky we were to have narrowly avoided being hit. aesthetics or size. I’m dealing with a huge sago in the middle of Well, I was beginning to think it would never happen, but finally my backyard that I planted as a tiny sprout. It is so huge that I we are having a little cooler weather. It is nice to walk outside am having trouble digging it up. One time, several years ago, I and not be immediately drenched in sweat. Yes, I know this is cut off almost all of its fronds. It grew back bigger, stronger and the south and women are supposed to glow and glisten but I just with a bunch of friends. It will not die! I’m starting to think I’m sweat. There is no in-between. I hope the weather hangs going to have to rent a backhoe to get it out of there. Anyone around long enough for me to make some progress in taming have any ideas?? my yard. I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy ThanksgivMoving all my container plants into the garage as part of my ing! Don’t forget the General Membership meeting is early this hurricane preparation made me realize that all those darn plants month and is on Wednesday, 14 November. It will be at the need to go into the ground. There is no way that I am going to Shalimar Baptist Church. See you then! move that many pots again. I’ve wanted to redo my landscape Debbie for a very long while and this is the kick in the pants that I needSpecial thanks to Karen Harper for proofreading. ed to get started on that chore. The previous owners of my house had it “professionally” landscaped several years before we bought it. I’m not sure who
Editor: Kent Beck
9
Do you remember that word? Would you believe the email spell Back in the olden days, life used to be swell, but when's the last checker did not recognize the word Mergatroyd?
time anything was swell?
Heavens to Mergatroyd!
Swell has gone the way of beehives, pageboys and the D.A.; of spats, knickers, fedoras, poodle skirts, saddle shoes and pedal
The other day a not so elderly (I say 75) lady said something to
pushers...AND DON'T FORGET.... Saddle Stitched Pants.
her son about driving a Jalopy and he looked at her quizzically and said "What the heck is a Jalopy?"
Oh, my aching back! Kilroy was here, but he isn't anymore.
He never heard of the word jalopy!! She knew she was old.....
We wake up from what surely has been just a short nap, and
but not that old. Well, I hope you are Hunky Dory after you
before we can say, Well, I'll be 'a monkey's uncle!' Or, This is a
read this and chuckle.
'fine kettle of fish'! We discover that the words we grew up with, the words that seemed omnipresent, as oxygen, have vanished
About a month ago, I illuminated some old expressions that
with scarcely a notice from our tongues and our pens and our
have become obsolete because of the inexorable march of tech-
keyboards.
nology. Poof, go the words of our youth, the words we've left behind.
These phrases included "Don't touch that dial," "Carbon copy,"
We blink, and they're gone.
"You sound like a broken record" and "Hung out to dry." Where have all those great phrases gone? Let's all go to the Back in the olden days we had a lot of 'moxie.' We'd put on our
beach Saturday"...
best 'bib and tucker' to' straighten up and fly right'. Long gone: Pshaw, The milkman did it. Hey! It's your nickel. Heavens to Betsy! Gee whillikers! Jumping Jehoshaphat! Holy moley!
Don't forget to pull the chain. Knee high to a grasshopper.
Well, Fiddlesticks! Going like sixty. I'll see you in the funny papers. Don't take any wooden nickels. Wake up and smell the
We were 'in like Flynn' and 'living the life of Riley'', and even a
roses.
regular guy couldn't accuse us of being a knucklehead, a nincompoop or a pill. Not for all the tea in China!
It turns out there are more of these lost words and expressions than Carter has liver pills. This can be disturbing 10
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
stuff! ("Carter's Little Liver Pills" are gone too!)
A message from your new Town Crier,
We of a certain age have been blessed to live in changeable times. For a child each new word is like a shiny toy, a toy that has no age. We at the other end of the chronological arc have the advantage of remembering there are words that once did not exist and there were words that once strut-
aka Publicity Chairman Kathy Foster I am looking forward to contributing to the continued success of OCMGA by helping to publicize YOUR committee’s events and activities. Please share pertinent information with me two weeks prior to the happening so that the widest audience can be reached. Contact me at fosterpk@gnt.net Thank you!
ted their hour upon the earthly stage and now are heard no more, except in our collective memory. It's one of the greatest advantages of aging.
Leaves us to wonder where Superman will find a phone booth... See ya later, alligator! Okidoki WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE FABULOUS 50'S...NO ONE WILL EVER HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AGAIN‌ Shari Farrell
Photo: Richard Hickenbotham
11
WHAT THE ??? "Aw, man." I said aloud while watering my citrus tree and saw
And darned if it didn't! Actually he had several friends who joined him and munched the leaves off of several long limbs.
what appeared to be a large gift from a passing heron. Readying And then they began to produce long white threads and pupate. the nozzle to blast the mess off the leaf, I noticed that it moved!
I got concerned when the pupae looked shriveled up, but Lee
Bird poop with a life of its own? I transferred the leaf with the
said that they get smaller as they mature. (what genius he is!)
blob to a dustpan and immediately took a pic of it and texted it
Unfortunately, I had to leave on a 2 week trip and was sad I'd
to my "go to guru of all things weird in the garden," Lee V. He
miss the grand entrance of the swallowtails. When I wasn't driv-
responded right away: "It is the larva of the giant swallowtail
ing, I did some research on the UF web site and found some
butterfly. Highly sought after!� I was so excited! He advised
fabulous videos of the whole process. AND learned that "bird
that I return it to the tree because it would pupate in a few days. poop caterpillars" is their given name! As luck would have it, after I got back I was outside working on some plantings and my husband saw the magnificent creature in the pic! It actually
stayed in the same spot the whole time I was gardening, a few hours. Sure did make our day :) We even spotted another one the next day. We felt so honored that OUR cit-
rus tree was chosen for one of Mother Nature's miracles!!!
from Ginny
12
Many of us recently became the proud owners of very nice aprons with our Master Gardener logo on it. When you received yours, did you think about why we wear aprons and where they came from? Well, of course you did! Hence this article.
was because black dye was expensive while the plant-based dyes yielding brown or blue shades were more affordable. Here is a description of how a Puritan got dressed every day and I think we can be very thankful that those days are behind us: https:// bit.ly/2Fi79Iw. During the westward expansion era of U.S. his-
History of Aprons.
tory, aprons were always a feature of women’s and girls’ wardAprons have been around for a very long time, as both decora-
robes. These were usually long, sleeveless, one-piece ‘coveralls’
tive and functional items of clothing. There are references to
that covered and protected one’s dress beneath. If you idolized
aprons in the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. See for Laura Ingalls Wilder while you were growing up (I did), here is example, Genesis 3:7 and Acts 19:12, KJV. *Spoiler alert*- those a site that can help you dress yourself or someone else in the were aprons that Adam and Eve made from fig leaves to cover
style that Laura would have worn: https://bit.ly/2yxfhAy. Lin-
their nakedness. Who knew? But aprons have actually been
en and wool were the homegrown, homemade fabrics used by
around longer than that. Dating back to the 4th Egyptian dynas- many on the frontier. Cottons and silks could be purchased but ty (that would be around 2613 to 2494 BC), Egyptian pharaohs
were often expensive. Dyes for creating colorful fabrics were
wore fine linen aprons known as ‘shendyt’ to distinguish them-
used liberally. Initially these were plant-based but synthetic
selves from lesser nobles, commoners and other hoi polloi:
dyes were available beginning about the 1850’s. Into the early
https://bit.ly/2mSmHud. Fabric was very precious in early cen- 20th century, aprons evolved into a wraparound style known as turies. Most of it was handwoven at home on small looms with a the ‘Hoover apron’ or the great deal of effort. Aprons back then were important for pro-
‘Hooverette’.and looked something
tecting the clothing that was so painstakingly made. That was at like this: https://tinyurl.com/ least true for the average working stiff. Wealthy folks had little
y7wrjter. This style was popular for
need to wear aprons because they didn’t perform the grungy
several years. Gradually the half-
tasks that would get their expensive clothing dirty. Early set-
apron style that ties around the
tlers in the New World wore plain, long white aprons. The Puri- waist emerged and it became the tan ‘fashion’ was a white apron covering a long dress that
rage to make and decorate your own
reached from a woman’s neck to her toes. Wealthier women
half-apron: https://tinyurl.com/
wore black dresses with white aprons while the less well-to-do
y75uedpt. I was a victim of this
wore brown or indigo dresses beneath their white aprons. This
trend myself some years later during
Image: https://www.pinterest.com/octopusgrrl/hooverette-dresses-aprons/=?true
13
a Home Economics class circa 1967 when I was forced to sew just such
wallpaper and the dial phone hanging on the wall in the photo, that
an apron. Mine did not look nearly as cute as that one in the picture and
apron has been around for a while and is definitely a keeper!
I did better in Home Ec class when we moved on to cooking lessons. During the Great Depression, ‘plain’ again became the byword for aprons and during those hard times, aprons were made of feed or flour sacks or whatever material could be scrounged, leading to styles such as this: https://tinyurl.com/ycl48gvv. If
you’d had 29 cents to spare you could have bought this one: https://tinyurl.com/ ybedx9cx. As the Great Depression wore on, the pinafore or 'pinny’ style of apron became popular and as the country emerged from the depths of the Depression, nothing cheered and captured people’s imagination like Dorothy
Why ‘apron’? Here is an interesting tidbit about where the word ‘apron’ came from. If you love language and tracing the origins of words, you’ll appreciate this. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “napron (a napron → an apron), from Middle English naperon, napron, from Old French napperon, diminutive of nappe (“tablecloth”), from Latin nappa (“napkin”). The phrase a napron was reinterpreted as an apron, which is why the initial n is now missing.” Grandma’s apron. I would be
and her adventures in Oz in the1939 movie,
terribly remiss in an article about
wearing her blue gingham pinafore and pigtails.
aprons if I didn’t mention Grand-
Post WWII, aprons became very fashionable.
ma and her apron. This is not a pho-
Mrs. Cleaver of ‘Leave It to Beaver’ fame is an
of my grandma, but it certainly could be. https://tinyurl.com/
example of the stylish apron with pearls trend.
y7ufvmzw. She (and her kitchen) looked just like that; she was always
Did women just not break a sweat while cooking
working at something and always wearing her apron. I’ll bet many of
and cleaning in those days? https://
you remember a grandma like that too and so you’ll forgive me if I close
tinyurl.com/y7paqndj. Fashion statement
with a few sweet reminders of our grandmas and the aprons they wore:
aprons became popular in the 1970’s. Today,
http://www.alighthouse.com/gran9.htm
aprons are everywhere- homes, restaurants, bistros, bars, barbecues and, yes, Master Gardener events. Here are some examples of the trendiest:
Photo by Karen Harper
to
By: Karen Harper
https://tinyurl.com/yaf39fdq. I still own (and proudly wear) my “Deck Them Halls” apron. As you can tell by the hairstyle, the garish flocked Pinny photo: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/55943220350002298/?lp=true
Dorothy’s dress by ETSY
14
Florida Brilliance strawberry is a
effect on lionfish pop-
new short-day cultivar released by
ulations, the lionfish
UF and commercialized in 2018.
fishery, and reef fish
This 4-page documents describes
communities. http://
attributes of this cultivar and makes
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa209
management recommendations.
Dune Restoration and
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1322
Enhancement for the B) Lionfish during diagnostic evaluations at Florida Panhandle the FWC Fish and Wildlife Health laboratory Published by the UF/ (photo credit: FWC).
Lightning is a common occurrence in Flori-
IFAS Florida Sea
da. Although
Grant College Program, this manual provides an overview of the
lightning kills
coastal ecosystems along the Florida Panhandle and shows how
only about 10%
dunes can be restored and enhanced in this region of the North-
of the people it strikes, it can
ern Gulf of Mexico. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156 Lightning streaking across a sky. Credit: UF/IFAS
cause physical and mental complications that victims must face for the rest of their lives. This new 4-page document discusses types of lightning, outdoor safety for farm workers, lightning medical aid, and regulations for employers. http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae526
Pest control professionals and homeowners throughout Florida and the southeastern US are seeking effective options that are safer for people and the environment than some conventional synthetic pesticides. There is also rising interest in organic gardening, which relies on natural pesticides. This 13-page fact sheet describes natural products for use in residential land-
A disease first reported in the summer of 2017 has been causing scapes and gardens. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in197 skin ulcers in invasive lionfish off the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean. Fish health scientists are investigating this disease,
Missing some of your notes from the Master Gardener class?
but initial evaluations have not yet found the cause. This 7-page Want to brush up on a few topics? The Master Gardener Handbook, North and Central Florida edition SP-77 is available onfact describes research efforts to discover more about this disease and its potential to spread to other species as well as its
line. Each topic is listed separately. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ topic_book_mg_north_central
Photo credit: UF/ IFAS
Information compilation: Marg Stewart
15
Outreach (External/Outreach Activities): Karen Kirk-Williams.
newer cultivars available. In addition to use in the landscape class, we just used two of these plant lists for a Home Visit, which made it much easier to help the homeowner with plant ID and suggestions for future plant selection.
CLL classes (UWF): Mary Grace Evors. We have two sessions
Thank you to Alene Ogle, Andy Donatelli, Debbie Sewell, Donna
left of the Fall 2018 CLL Class, Gardening in the Florida Pan-
Edmiston and Lee Vanderpool for their involvement in the
handle. Sheila will speak on Pruning on October 22nd and Andy landscape workshop. We are currently making plans for the will talk about Native Trees and Shrubs for the Landscape on
spring semester classes, which will begin in February. ---KKW
October 29th. We have averaged about 23 attendees each session. This continues to be a wonderful outreach project. Thanks to all who help, most especially the speakers. We are beginning to set up the topics and presenters for the winter session.
Landscape Design Workshop (NWFSC): Karen KirkWilliams. There are two classes remaining and most of the participants are busy creating their landscape designs and plant lists. Ideally, by the end of the six weeks, they will have a com-
Master Gardener Webinars Webinars provide a convenient and free professional development option for people who want to learn new strategies and tools without taking time off work and paying travel expenses. Each hour-long session will be recorded and available on our website to view whenever you'd like.
workbook, we’re now providing them with one-to-two-page
As of July 2017, webinars are facilitated in Zoom. For help, see "Getting Started" on Zoom.com. Webinars that were recorded prior to this date were in Adobe Connect and must be converted for you to access them. Please bear with us as we make the transition.
handouts of UF/IFAS recommended plants for various types of
Upcoming Webinars
pleted design, a shopping list of plants, and a chart that shows each plant, mature size, growing requirements, bloom season, maintenance requirements, etc. In addition to the 75-page
gardens and growing conditions. So far, we have created plant lists for Florida-friendly gardens, traditional southern gardens,
All webinars start at 1 pm (EST) unless indicated otherwise.
ditional lists as time permits.I am working on one now for low-
November 29 – Top Ten Insect Problems and Top Ten Disease Problems
growing, evergreen foundation plants that will list some of the
December 13 – The Art of Tea, by Dr. Bart Schutzman
salt tolerant gardens, and shade gardens and have plans for ad-
16
November What to Plant Annuals/Bedding plants: Pansy, viola, and chrysanthemum create great fall color. See Annuals: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ topic_annual_landscape_plants Bulbs: Bulbs to plant include amaryllis, crinum, and daylily. Plant spider lily in partial shade. Plants produce foliage in win-
ter, and beautiful red flowers emerge in late summer. See Bulbs for Florida: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_bulbous_flowers
on trees and shrubs. See Landscape Pest Management: http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_landscape_pests Irrigation: Turn off systems and water only if needed. Plants need less supplemental watering in cooler weather. See Landscape Irrigation: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ topic_landscape_irrigation Flowering trees: Consider planting an ornamental Taiwan cherry (Prunus campanulata). Late winter brings pink blooms. See The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design: http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/ FYN_Plant_Selection_Guide_v090110.pdf
Herbs: A wide variety of herbs like cooler, dryer weather, including cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, sage, and thyme. See Herbs: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_herbs Vegetables: A long list of cool-season crops can be planted now including broccoli, cabbage, kale, and lettuce. See Vegetable Gardening in Florida: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ topic_vegetable_gardening
Birds: Make a small brush pile from plant debris in the back of the yard for birds. See Wild Birds: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ topic_wild_birds
Camellias: Add some of the new cultivars for bright spots of color in winter. Disbudding, or removing some buds now, ensures larger blooms later. See Camellias: http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_camellia
What to Do Citrus: Protect small citrus trees if freezing temperatures are
predicted by watering well at least a day before the freeze. You may also use covers that extend to the ground for protection. See Cold Protection and Chilling Damage of Landscape Plants: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_landscapes_and_cold Scale insects: Apply dormant oil sprays to control scale insects 17
With the weather turning a little cooler, it's the perfect time for some soup! Better Than Olive
GardenÂŽ
Soup
2 tablespoons corn starch Âź cup bacon, cooked and chopped Salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1. Brown the sausage in a sautĂŠ pan. Remove links from pan and cut each link in half and then chop into bite sized pieces. Return meat to pan and cook until no pink is visible. Remove meat into a paper-towel lined colander to drain. 2. Place the potatoes, onion, garlic, and sausage into a slow cooker. Stir well. 3. Add just enough chicken broth to cover the vegetables and meat. 4. Cook on high 3 to 4 hours or on low 5 to 6 hours until potatoes are soft.
Zuppa Toscana Ingredients:
1 pound Italian sausage (mild) 4-6 russet potatoes, cut into bite-sized cubes
1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, smashed and minced fine 32 ounces chicken broth
5. About 30 minutes before serving: In a small bowl combine the heavy whipping cream and the corn starch. Mix well (with a whisk) and make sure there are no lumps. Add the cream mixture to the soup and mix well. If the cooker was on low, turn it to high and cook until mixture thickens. 6. Add in salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.
7. Serve in deep bowls and top with bacon. 8. Grate Parmesan cheese over the top if desired. Compliments of: Marg Stewart
3-4 ounces of baby spinach (large stems removed) 1 cup heavy whipping cream 18
Since Halloween is close to the time of this writing, I decided on Artemisia ab- Large amounts of thujone (also found in sage and tansy) are sinthium or Wormwood. You might also found in this herb which some studies indicate work in the brain recognize this plant by its other com-
in the same manner as THC. Today, it is not recommended for
mon name, absinthe.
internal use.
This herb was the primary ingredient in Wormwood is a hardy perennial about 3 feet tall and 2 feet the liqueur by the same name. Notori-
wide. It has a woody base and forms a pretty, sprawling mound
of silver-green foliage. The leaves are pungent, deeply divided and covered with silky hairs. It produces upright panicles of small yellow and gray flowers. Hardy through Zone 3, wormwood should be planted away from other plants (especially expensive ones) since the compound absinthin (which gives the herb its bitter taste) is toxic to some plants and may stunt their growth or kill them. Wormwood should only be used externally and a compress made from this herb acts as an anesthetic. It also has antiseptic ous in 19th-century France and immortalized in a painting by
and anti-inflammatory properties. Dried herb leaves in your
Edgar Degas, absinthe was banned in 1915. This might lead you
closet may help keep out moths.
to think that it isn't used anymore in modern times but you'd be wrong.
Note: As with all herbal preparations, medicinal use has not been approved by the FDA and no herbal preparation should be used in
Wormwood is an ingredient in vermouth. Ironically the herb
place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor. Herbal sup-
was called "wermuth" which means 'preserver of the mind.' It
plements are not regulated and care should be exercised when pur-
was thought to stimulate the brain. For quite some time it was
chasing. Only purchase those products from reputable sources. Al-
popular as a stewing herb, insect repellent and sometimes used
ways check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements
as a substitute for hops in beer making.
and make sure to provide a complete list of herbal supplements you are taking to your medical provider. 19
Mobile and Web Applications from the UF/IFAS Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology Mobile and Web Applications from the UF/IFAS Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology
Landscape Pests currently features nearly 300 pests, and will continue development to expand the numbers of pests, as well as search capability.
Gardening information is now at your fingertips with our mobile web tools.
Visit the Landscape Pests Mobile website now
Florida Fresh Florida Fresh is a mobile app that provides a list of fruits and vegetables available fresh in stores and markets at this time of year based on your zip code. There's also a list of what edibles you can plant in your garden right now. Detailed information on each fruit The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide features more than 400 Florida-Friendly plants that can be selected by their type, shape, and sun tolerance. Each plant is accompanied by a color photo.
Landscape Pests is now available for iPhone and iPad in the Apple App Store.and vegetable is provided, along with links to other educational resources. Available free for iPhone and iPad from the Apple App Store. Trees: North & Central Florida The Trees: North & Central Florida mobile application is a readily accessible field guide for professionals, Master Gardeners, educators, and those interested in identifying the trees of north and central Florida. Written by Andrew Koeser, Gitta Hasing, Melissa Friedman, and Robert Irving.
The mobile web tool allows users to simply plug in their zip code to get specific gardening-zone recommendations for temperature tolerance and watering requirements.
Available for iPhone and iPad from the Apple App Store. 140 Florida native, introduced, and invasive species
The plant guide works on any device with a web-enabled browser, such as an iPhone, Android, or tablet. It has an annual cost of $1.99 a year.
Beautiful color photographs for each species
Get the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide Mobile Web Tool now
Special notes about natural history, as well as commercial and cultural uses
Landscape Pests
Tag and save your favorite trees
The new Landscape Pests app and mobile website helps users diagnosis and learn about common insect and mite pests found in Florida and elsewhere in the southeastern United States. Users can search for pests using menus based on plant host or damage symptom, as well as by common or scientific name.
Share trees via email, text, and social media App comes with 20 trees for free, but the remaining 120 can be unlocked for $3.99 Also available in softcover book form from the UF/IFAS Bookstore.
http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mobile/
20
Cestrum aurantiacum
Small orange colored clusters of tube flowers release a mild sweet scent as the evening begins. Low maintenance and easy to care for, cestrum is perfect for the butterfly garden since this compact shrub reaches about four feet in height and width. Very easy to grow tropical plants which require little care, they add a brilliant accent to any outdoor space. Most will survive a very light frost and quickly return to normal in spring. They grow very well in patio containers. When the plant becomes root
bound its growth will slow. At that point it is time for a larger pot. Use well drained but moist, rich organic mix. Try to stay
If you suck at playing the trumpet, that’s probably why.
away from wet, mucky or dry, sandy soils. Fertilize sparingly at least six inches away from the base, three times a year with a slow time release 15-5-10. Plant requires full or filtered sun.
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
This plant will be available in the nursery in the spring of 2019/
Photos by Lee Vanderpool
Humor: SCOTT BERRY
21
this plant rattlesnake weed because of the way the tubers look (like the rattle on a rattlesnake).
The tubers are at their best through March and April. Older tubers tend to be mushy. They do require a bit of scrubbing to get the dirt off but can be eaten raw or boiled for a short time in a little water. They also make a very good pickle!
Now here's one for you. Not only can you find a wild edible but you can also rid your yard of a nasty weed. Stachys floridana or Florida betony is a member of the mint family (the square stem gives it away). The edible part is the white tubers that every gardener recognizes. We also call
So, during your next marathon weeding session, save a few tubers and give them a try. They do taste like radishes without the heat. If you can't beat the weeds--EAT 'EM! Marg Stewart 22
Thankfully we were spared the wrath of Hurricane Michael. Walter was prepared by keeping his favorite toy safe from all the 'cats' that he heard the humans speaking about. Later he was sound asleep, secure that there were no 'cats' in our yard.
ing, slowly smothering and fending off dusty bunnies. Although he did make the comment at one point that he would arrive on the scene to help--after he stopped laughing. Such a thoughtful person I married.
More canning escapades in the form of jams and jellies-There have been a few more cooler nights and even a few apple, fall fruit, and a few others. Next on the list is canmornings that this transplanted person of the north had to ning up the mega sweet potato harvest. The frame for the admit were a tad chilly. It has been ever so nice to have the squash tunnel is up and the fall veggies are doing well. windows open and fresh air streaming through the house. Have a few more seeds to go in the ground but it's looking Walter definitely likes the windows being open and the sun more like a garden again. angle being just right to hit his cat bed for several hours during the day. Perfect for a kitty snooze fest. It's good to be outside and not turning into a pile of sweat within 5 minutes. We do have the best gardening time in the fall. So much potential, so many opportunities for mayhem.
Now if you'll excuse me I have to go bag up the Halloween candy. HH and I cannot be trusted around big bags of goodies. They call to us, they beckon us with their siren song of sugar overload and chocolate-y awesomeness. We have no willpower....none. So before we both blow our diets--it's bag it and tag it time.
And with the com ing of fall, yours truly is in sort and organize mode. Happy Hubby supports with helpful suggestions (mostly ignored) and providing altitudinal assistance when required. He al- Plentiful Plantings so makes appearances in whatever room I happen to be in Marg Stewart when there are loud thumps, bangs, and bad words in excess of what he is used to. I appreciate that. Would hate to be on the floor covered in a pile of unsorted winter cloth-
23