Nl december 13

...for discerning weeders December, 2013

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

WEED OF THE MONTH Inside this issue:

Meeting Dates

2

Gardener Gifts

3

Homemade

4

Treats Walk on the

5

Wild Side Citrus Canker

5

Out & About

6

Book Review

7

Events

7

Recipe

8

Updates & Info

8

Birthdays

8

More Events!

9

Last Word

10

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It’s December and time to prepare for Christmas. No flower says Christmas like poinsettia.

The bright red poinsettia is one of the classic icons of the season. These beautiful flowers are even the subject of a charming Christmas legend. According to the Mexican legend, a poor girl brought some simple weeds to church on Christmas Eve. As she entered the church, her simple weeds were transformed into beautiful poinsettias.

Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family. Botanically, Christmas Poinsettia's technical name is Euphorbia pulcherrima.

Did you know a weed growing here is a close cousin of the iconic Christmas Poinsettia? Wild Poinsettia is also called Mexican Fire Plant, Painted Euphorbia, Fire on the Mountain and Paint Leaf.

Euphorbia hetrophylla is a summer annual weed primarily of the tropical climates of South America but developing into a greater problem in the Southern U.S. It is native to Mexico, but many scientists believe this plant is also native to the contiguous United States.

By Jenny G. These plants are best suited for full sun or part shade conditions, in "lean" soil that does not have extensive organic matter or fertility.

Young plants will readily appear from seed after the first year, even if mulch has been applied to the flowerbeds. Any excess seedlings may be pulled up with little trouble. Allow 6-8" of space between plants.

There are similarities between Wild Poinsettia and Christmas Poinsettia: similar leaf shape, flowers cluster at the stem's top, and the cluster's middle leaves are colored toward their bases. Of course, Christmas Poinsettias uppermost leaves are red where Wild Poinsettia is a very variable species and often the leaf bases are red.

Wild Poinsettia is a Florida native plant that can add splashes of color to gardens without overWild poinsettia grows in zones 9b through 11 as powering. The dark green leaves can be oval or a perennial, but will grow as a self-seeding anindented on the sides as though someone nual through zone 7b. A very common, kneesqueezed them. Some have a splash of red that high herb, often found as a weed along roadlooks painted on, thus the common name sides. The plants grow only to one foot in height "Painted Leaf.” Wild Poinsettia is not as showy and survive the heat of summer quite well, often as the kind sold during the holidays, but it has a blooming just before autumn. The colorful foli- certain homegrown charm. Most plants that age lasts until frost. As with all the poinsettias, provide food to bees, wasps, butterflies also feed the color we admire is actually the leaves surother little critters. rounding the tiny flowers.

Painted spurge (Euphorbia heterophylla) reproThe minute flowers lack petals and are a 5duces by seed. The capsules open explosively lobed, gland-rimmed cup, all in a cluster atop when mature, expelling the seeds short distanceach leafy stem - just above partly red, white, or es. They may also be spread by water movement yellow leaves. The broken stem oozes a milky and as dumped garden waste. This species presap. All Euphorbias have milky white latex sap, fers sandy soils, particularly in disturbed sites. which is toxic, so gardeners will need to make sure not to allow it to make contact with skin or Continued on page 2 eyes while working around the plants.

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Weed

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Wild Poinsettia is easily recognized by the red splotches at the base of new growth leaves. The plant is known to form large colonies that might appear as a tangled mass of vines, but as a solitary plant, it will stand upright, spreading its numerous woody branches. Most scientific descriptions refer to it as "Painted Leaf" since only a small piece of the leaf turns color. The coloring normally begins in early June and will have completed the cycle by end of November. This annual transplants well and will spread rapidly once established. However, do not depend on it being where you left it the year before because the seeds disperse rapidly and the plant escapes easily.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/favorite-christmas-plantsholiday-decor#.Un67j5V3taQ http://ipm.missouri.edu/IPCM/2010/9/Weed-of-the-MonthWild-Poinsettia/ http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp? recNum=WF1719 http://butterflies.heuristron.net/plants/poinsettia.html http://courses.missouristate.edu/pbtrewatha/ painted_spurge.htm http://www.austinbug.com/larvalbugbio/poinsettias.html http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/03030800-0b07490a-8d04-0605030c0f01/media/Html/ It is resistant to most herbicides and is considered invasive in Euphorbia_cyathophora.htm many states, but has not appeared on the Federal Noxious http://wildflowers.jdcc.edu/Euphorbiaceae.html Weeds List as of the latest update. The simplest way to control http://www.alafarmnews.com/index.php? this plant is to manually pull it before the flowers mature and option=com_content&id=1803:we-have-wild-poinsettias-inproduce the fruits (seeds). Wild Poinsettias are also important alabama troublesome weeds that can outcompete crops, such as peanuts http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm? in the southern United States and is considered the “eighth most pk_id=6447 troublesome weed of peanut” by University of Georgia. http://www.peanut.ncsu.edu/Weeds/Poinsettia_Wild.aspx I first saw this weed/wild flower years ago growing in Pensacola behind a building near historic Seville Square. I thought to myself: “Boy does this look like a poinsettia!” Since then I have seen it growing along the fence at the ANNEX. By Jove, I think she’s got it!!

Ed. Note: Jenny G. is ‘retiring’ from the weed of the month feature. We thank her for her tireless contributions since 2010!

We are going to offer other features each month but we know that our monthly dose of weed lore will be missed.

2014 General Meeting Schedule There will be a few changes to the General Membership meeting schedule. As always we will be rotating through different locations throughout the year.

September 24th @ Shalimar Baptist Church October 29th @ Crestview Extension

All meetings will be on the LAST Wednesday of each month. The November 12th @ Extension Annex only exceptions will be the November and December meetings December 10th @ Shalimar Baptist Church due to conflicts with the holidays.

Meetings will begin at 9:00 am.

As always, members are encouraged to sign up to help with hospitality and bring a dish to the meetings.

Any questions, please contact Stacey T. The following is the entire year for 2014. Any changes will be sent out to the membership.

January 29th @ Crestview Extension February 26th @ Extension Annex

Crestview Extension is located at 3098 Airport Road, Crestview Extension Annex is located at 127 Hollywood Blvd., Ft. Walton Beach Shalimar Baptist Church is located at 17 4th Avenue, Shalimar

Don’t forget, carpooling is strongly encouraged to all meetings but especially the Extension Annex.

March 26th @ Shalimar Baptist Church April 30th @ Crestview Extension May 28th @ Extension Annex June 25th @ Shalimar Baptist Church July 30th @ Crestview Extension August 27th @ Extension Annex 2

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE GARDENER Christmas is upon us and again you are staring at your list, wondering what to give to the gardeners who made the cut this year and are deserving of your largesse. Whether it's a gift for your sweetie, your mom or your best friend, it's important that it be perfect, right? So, you can play it safe and give the usual: gardening gloves, hand-painted trowel, garden gnome or the ever-popular amaryllis bulb kit. Or, you can be more adventurous and consider one of these options: You can give your friends worms. OK, that didn't come out right but bear with me. We all know how worms improve the tilth and health of our soil and if you have a friend who has just moved into a new tract house where anything resembling topsoil was carted away during the home's construction, a package of earthworms to get your friend started on building up good soil would be a very thoughtful gift. I didn't think of this idea on my own. It tops this list of 10 unusual gardening gifts: http://tinyurl.com/ orm8rtr I didn't find the other ideas on this list very unusual; nice, but not really eye-catching. Worms, though...I like that as a unique yet useful gift. Unfortunately the link in this article takes you to all kinds of worm-named things, such as worm-gears, that are not earthworms at all. My suggestion would be to either dig up some worms from your own garden and package them in a suitable gift box (with soil and airholes, please!), or go to a bait shop and buy a pint of worms.

How about those times when you're working hard in the garden and need a wee nip of something a bit stronger than sweet tea to make your day complete? You'll need a garden flask for that: http://tinyurl.com/oo5peog If your friend is a rose specialist she might prefer this model: http://tinyurl.com/ot5tfhd I'd like to have that one handy myself to help relieve the pain of my annual rose-pruning sessions in January during which the roses fling their thorns at me and get even for being neglected the previous summer.

by Karen H.

And forget garden gnomes. For a mere $250 (plus shipping, I suppose), you can have this metal shark swimming around your garden and maybe frightening off the squirrels (but probably not): http://tinyurl.com/o9kedb9 Want to give a friend a real challenge (and maybe be able to cross them off your list next Christmas after they've spent an aggravating year trying to make this work)? Give them a topiary frame! And maybe a pot of English ivy or other suitable fast-growing plant to train on the topiary. Your friend can grow a giraffe, a bear, a peacock!

They'll thank you (or curse you) every time they go outside to look at their handiwork: http://www.giftsandgardens.com/ topiary.htm For the women on your list and certain men as well, how about lichen earrings? I can't think of anything, well, earthier! http:// tinyurl.com/p9p5qhp Got a friend with a lazy dawg? How about a Zen dog statue to celebrate the dogs' laid-backness? (and if that's not a word, it should be): http://tinyurl.com/ovsosuv And for a mere $35 your friends can grow moss in a light bulb and maybe bring themselves good luck. Why not? http:// tinyurl.com/oq769az Clearly there is no need to give the same old same old gifts to our gardening friends. We gardeners are generally regarded as being rather eccentric anyway so why not put that imagination to good use and come up with gifts that they'll remember (for better or worse! :))

Recycling at its best. Carport greenhouse! Courtesy of Dick

Container gardening in buckets! Photo courtesy of Dick H.

H.

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HOLIDAY RECIPES AND TREATS FOR WILD BIRDS Courtesy of Linda M.

While you are baking and cooking for your family and friends for the holidays, don't forget your wild feathered friends! Here are some ideas for decorating your yard and trees with festive, edible treats. These make wonderful gifts for the wild bird lovers in your family, too. Use either the suet or birdseed/fruit mixture to form the decorations that follow.

Stuffed Pine Cones Gather cones that are partially opened. Stuff with the suet mixture or chunky peanut butter and cornmeal mixture (better for the birds than peanut butter alone). Use raffia or colorful string to hang.

Dried Fruit Wreaths and Garlands

Holiday Peanut Butter Suet

For Wreaths: Thread a large darning needle with cotton string or dental floss. Make a knot 4-6" from one end. String dried fruit (apricots, papaya, oranges, raisins, etc.) until enough to form a small wreath. Knot string together to secure circle, leaving enough string at each end to form hanger loop. Use paper-twists or raffia to decorate.

2 cups chunky peanut butter 1 cup lard (animal fat-based if possible) 2 cups oats 2 cups cornmeal 1 cup white flour Melt lard and peanut butter together; add the rest, plus mixed seeds, fresh cranberries, orange pieces, and other colorful additions.

Birdseed and Fruit Mixture Edible Glue: 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 cup water, 3 Tbsp. corn syrup (add package of plain Knox gelatin for extra holding power if necessary).

Add 4 cups birdseed and peanuts, fruits, berries, raisins, or anything else the birds enjoy.

Stars and Wreaths Cover tray with waxed paper; roll out mixture 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Use cookie cutters or shape mixture into stars and wreaths. Freeze if using the suet. For birdseed mixture, let dry 4-6 hours; remove cookie cutters; turn over and dry 4-6 hours more. Use raffia to hang from trees.

Garlands look festive in outside trees.

Thread a large needle with a 3 to 6 foot length of cotton string or dental floss. After stringing the ingredients, loop and knot each end for hanger loops. String with the following: Pretzels (unsalted), peanuts in shells, dried fruits, pine cones, sprigs of holly or pine, knotting string around the larger pieces. Colored-kernel popcorn, dried fruit. Roll fresh cranberries in lightly beaten egg whites and then in superfine granulated sugar (lightly). Place on waxed paper to dry before stringing.

Source: author - P. H. Macayo http:// www.connectedbypets.com/articles/HolidayTreats.html

Birdseed Bells Coat outside of 2-1/4" diameter peat pots with the suet mixture or use a paintbrush to coat with the edible glue and then roll in birdseed and place on waxed paper to dry for 46 hours. Use needle and thread to string 4-5 cranberries for clappers; pass needle through top of bell and knot at top.

Use paper-twists or raffia bows to decorate at top and double as hangers.

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.

To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” Calvin Coolidge

From All of Us to All of You—A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 4

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Courtesy Linda M.

Ho Ho Ho! This is a great time for bird watchers, here are just a few feathered activities to enjoy:

These birds of prey are relatively large in size. The length of the bird is about 1-½ to 2 feet, and weights are about 22 oz. for males and 28 oz. for females. Wingspan is from 40 - 50 inches and body length ranges from 17 - 24 inches. The barred owl is • National Audubon So- named for the feather patterns, which are barred with the alterciety - The 114th Annual nating colors of white and brown, located on its head, chest and Audubon Christmas Bird back. This owl is a resident species. Therefore, it does not miCount will take place grate. Although many species of owls are strictly nocturnal, the December 14, 2013 to barred owl is sometimes active during the day. The life span of January 5, 2014. The these owls has been known to exceed 10 years in the wild. Caplongest running Citizen tive birds have been known to live as long as 23 years. EDIS Science survey in the world, the Christmas Bird Count provides Publication #WEC 156 critical data on population trends. Tens of thousands of participants know that it is also a lot of fun. Since the Christmas Bird • Look for Goldfinches at north Florida feeders.

Count began over a century ago, it has relied on the dedication and commitment of volunteer citizen scientists. If you would like • Yellow-rumped warblers will show-up at feeders if it is cold enough. to participate during the CBC season, sign-up at http:// birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count • In north Florida, bald eagles start hatching about Christmas • This is the best time for watching waterfowl on wetlands, lakes, day. In Florida bald eagles begin building a nest in late September or early October. Eagles can begin laying eggs as early as and prairies.

October or as late as April. Nest sites tend to be built near the • Great horned owls and barred owls courting. Listen for them. edges of eagle habitats such as in a living tree that offers a view The barred owl makes its home in mature trees of woodlands of the surrounding area and that can support the eagle's often and swamps across the eastern half of the United States. Relat- sizable nest. Most nests contain clutches of two eggs. Incubation ed to the spotted owl and the great horned owl, the barred owl lasts about 35 days. Nestlings in Florida fledge from the nest, at is in the order Strigiformes and the subfamily Striginae. Owls in around 11 weeks of age and remain with their parents near the this group have a rounded facial disk and large ear openings. nest for an additional 4-11 weeks.

CITRUS CANKER IS IN THE PANHANDLE As you may have heard, Citrus Canker, has been confirmed in Santa Rosa county. This is a serious disease. Citrus canker is a highly

contagious plant disease and spreads rapidly over short distances. Wind-driven rain, overhead irrigation, flooding and human movement can spread citrus canker. Environmental factors, such as wind and rain, cannot be controlled; however, spread of citrus canker by humans can be managed by proper decontamination procedures and preventing transportation of infected plant material. Transport of infected plant material is the primary means of spreading the canker pathogen over longer distances.

It is advisable to practice personal and equipment decontamination between trees. Hand and arm washing with

soap and water, hot or cold, for a minimum of 20 seconds is needed to remove the bacterium from the skin. Additional use of an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer after handwashing will make personal decontamination more effective. Tools should be decontaminated with a solution of 1 ounce household bleach to 1 gallon of water. To reduce the risk of rusting, tools should be rinsed afterwards. The bleach solution will not be effective if used on dirty equipment and should be made fresh daily because it loses effectiveness quickly. Disease spread can also occur via clothing, so it is best to wash or change clothing between sites and dates of handling citrus trees.

There is no cure for citrus canker and only way to control the disease is through management.

More information may be found at: http:// www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/canker/ and http:// www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/canker/.

Homeowner Fact Sheet: Citrus Canker http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ pp116

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OUT AND ABOUT

Photos courtesy of our Master Gardeners

Cassia in bloom before it was ‘removed’ by a hurricane. Photo courtesy of Dick H. Double Brugmansia. Photo courtesy of Dick H.

Dune Lakes field trip. Photos courtesy of Rick H.

‘Friends’ on a Ficus. Photo courtesy of Dick H.

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BOOK REVIEW Show of hands...how many folks remember reading (or being read to) the Tales of Peter Rabbit? The magical garden where Peter ate his fill only to be chased by Mr. McGregor. There were many other books by Beatrix Potter.

by Marg S. of Potter’s love of gardening. The book begins with a gardener’s biography that highlights key moments and places throughout Beatrix’s life. Next, there is a year in Beatrix Potter’s garden with a season-by-season overview. The book ends with a traveler's guide, and includes information on how and where to visit Potter’s gardens today. Lovely illustrations.

340 pages.

This month, I recommend two books.

The first, Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear is a wonderful biography of the woman behind the beloved characters and illustrations many of us grew up with. Potter was one of the first female naturalists in the Both books are wonderful and if you enjoyed the Peter Rabbit world. This book has many rare illustrations as well as an intitales, Jemima Puddle Duck and all the rest of Beatrix Potter’s mate look at Beatrix Potter’s life. 608 pages. creations, you’ll really enjoy the detailed look into her life and The second book, Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life: The Plants gardens. 5 wreaths out of 5. and Places That Inspired the Classic Children’s Tales by Marta McDowell is a wonderful book and the first to explore the origins

SET UP FOR THE CHRISTMAS PARTY 2 pm TUESDAY DECEMBER 3RD

LANDSCAPE WORK DAY!

SHALIMAR BAPTIST CHURCH

8 AM START TIME

THURSDAY DECEMBER 12TH

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CHEESE BALLS! Courtesy of Gail S. From a old Hurlburt Recipe Book 2 - 8 oz. packages cream cheese 1/4 of 5 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper 2 cups chopped pecans (one cup to add to mixture and one cup to roll cheese ball in) 1 tablespoon seasoned salt

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO! Pam G. Karen K. Laurie M. Ann P. Amy Jo R. Roxy S.

Soften cream cheese. Whip cream cheese with a fork. Put in all ingredients and one cup of pecans. Mix and form into a ball and roll in remaining one cup pecans. Wrap in aluminum foil and put in refrigerator overnight. This is important, so onion and bell pepper will not be overpowering. Serve with crackers.

Do you have a favorite recipe that you’d like to share? Send it in! Submissions are due before the 24th of each month.

UPDATES AND INFO You’ve heard that grass grows faster after a lightning storm.

Well, check out a PBS video about lightning and nitrates http:// tinyurl.com/luohetd Find out more about honey bees. Why can’t they pollinate a tomato or an eggplant flower? http://bugguide.net/node/ view/475348 Information on torpedo grass http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/ node/308#chemical Wish you had a microscope? But you happen to have a smartphone? Check out how to turn your smartphone into a microscope! http://videos.komando.com/watch/4293/viral-videoshow-to-turn-your-smartphone-into-a-microscope EDIS Top 30 publications Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide Common Poultry Diseases Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges, and the Required Managerial Tools Triangulation: Establishing the Validity of Qualitative Studies Dealing with Snakes in Florida’s Residential Areas – Identifying Commonly Encountered Snakes Determining Sample Size Transformational Leadership: The Transformation of Managers and Associates “Black Snakes”: Identification and Ecology St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns Conducting an In-depth Interview

Sulfites: Separating Fact from Fiction Factors Affecting Egg Production in Backyard Chicken Flocks Understanding Exchange Rates: A Weakening U.S. Dollar– Good, Bad, or Indifferent for Florida Farmers and Agribusinesses?

Common Florida Spiders Basic Elements of Equipment Cleaning and Sanitizing in Food Processing and Handling Operations Avocado Growing in the Florida Home Landscape Bahiagrass for Florida Lawns Zoysiagrass for Florida Lawns Mango Growing in the Florida Home Landscape Bird-of-Paradise Understanding Motivation: An Effective Tool for Managers Citrus Problems In The Home Landscape Preventing Foodborne Illness: Clostridium botulinum Cockroaches and Their Management Basic Principles of Landscape Design Mites That Attack Humans Invisible Itches: Insect and Non-Insect Causes Blueberry Gardener’s Guide Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ Bloodgood Japanese Maple Drip-irrigation systems for small conventional vegetable farms and organic vegetable farms

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General Membership Meeting 2013 Gadsden Tomato Forum December 5, 2013 North Florida Research & Education Center Quincy, Florida 8 am to 1:30 pm

Combined Meeting and Christmas Party December 4th Shalimar Baptist Church 17th 4th Ave. Shalimar, FL Next meeting January 29th 9:00 am Crestview Extension Office 3098 Airport Road Crestview

Forest Certification Workshops December 11th 9 am to 3 pm UF/IFAS Walton County Extension Office Defuniak Springs 9

Marg S.—Editor Shari F., Karen H. and Linda M.—Co-Editors

Have pictures or an idea for an article?

Send it in!

Articles and pictures are always welcome.

Your member site: www.ocmgamembers.org

The Foundation for the Gator Nation.....An equal opportunity institution.

LAST WORD One of the houses on my street put up his Christmas lights.....in October! I finally had to stop and ask why so early? His response was that he wasn’t home last year so he’s going all out this year. I smile and try not to make eye contact. I like Christmas as much as the next person but October????

It was catching. Before Thanksgiving arrived, two more houses had their lights up. I noticed that the day following Thanksgiving, there are at least 4 more just in my neighborhood.

Another house (my neighbor) joined in last night. Yes, I said last night.

Seems that a certain football game had his attention, so he finished stringing the lights....in the dark....with a flashlight.

I have some of my lights up, only because I had help on that day. They haven’t been lit, but at least I won’t be dangling from the gutters like some years in the past.

Christmas commercials started before Halloween! Yes they did! Thanksgiving got a whisper until someone discovered Hanukah fell on the same day...then it was a race to see how many ways the two could be combined.

Happy Thanksgivakah! (Gobble-Tov).

Black Friday turned into Thanksgiving shopping day. I took my mom out Black Friday and we waited in no lines.

We did, however, see a whole bunch of very tired looking folks that were staggering to their cars when we arrived.

I admit that I have my shopping done, only because most of it is done on-line now.

And you know what? I miss the old way. I miss piling into the car and heading to the mall or the local big town to make a day of shopping. Your fingers would hurt from carrying the bags but then you had a break during lunch.

Christmas lights went up on the 10

By Marg S. weekend following Thanksgiving. The model trains had been worked on all through November so the platform with the town and the whole set up would be ready to go into the living room once all the furniture got moved around.

Starting on the 1st the kitchen would smell wonderful pretty much every day with the baking of cookies and other treats. You gave those to the postman, delivery guys, meter reader and anyone else who happened to stop at the house. You didn’t worry about gluten free.

And then there was Santa arriving.

Funny, as a kid you saw nothing weird in the big guy arriving by various means of conveyance at the local store, knowing full well that he was arriving somewhere else...the same day. That was just part of the magic.

Pretty soon I’ll get out the decorations and put up way too many. I’ll add more lights out front even though I said I wasn’t going to. The wrapping paper will come out and I’ll try to keep ribbons and bow on the packages in a house with two cats who think ribbons are a basic food group.

The tree will go up and cards will be mailed and I’ll make cookies. The family will get together and we’ll make a mess, eat too much and take a breather while we prepare for New Year’s Eve. Will there be magic? I’d like to think so. The magic of baking a treat that I made with my grandmother. Sitting and watching the lights on the tree with Christmas carols playing. Remembering Christmas past with nostalgia and a smile.

So go ahead and put up lights in October...if that’s where you magic is...I’m okay with that. Just for fun, give someone homemade cookies and make sure you put extra tinsel on the tree. Merry Christmas everyone!