...for discerning weeders February, 2013
Inside this issue: Gimme Five
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Walk on the Wild
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Side Events
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The Fabric of Our
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Lives Book Review
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Links
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Weed of the
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Month Why Attract
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Wildlife Puzzle
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Last Word
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By John B.
As we transition briskly into February, I would observe that January provided an active commencement to our 2013 MG calendar. We celebrated Arbor Day with a successful tree giveaway and two commemorative tree plantings, which certainly will enhance the Extension Office landscape. The Nursery hosted a “potting party” at which volunteers prepared 1000 sea oat seedlings for the “grasses for classes” program. And, most significantly, 31 new MG trainees embarked on their classroom instruction, in preparation for eventually reinforcing our veteran corps.
Before we totally lose sight of January, I hope that you will consider one additional New Year’s resolution. Specifically, think about accepting the “Gimme Five” invitation to volunteer five additional service hours to your OCMGA in 2013. Take a moment and review the “Gimme Five” campaign summary in today’s “Compost Pile”. February offers many opportunities to be on your way to becoming a “Gimme Five” ambassador, starting with participation in the Economic Expo on Saturday, 2/02/13. I am confident that the additional hours you choose to volunteer this year will be rewarding and inspiring, and will set a great example for the 31 MG trainees that will look toward, and learn from, your leadership and service.
View more pictures of Arbor Day by visiting http://jalbum.net/a/1302638
Correction: Last month we neglected to credit Jane M. for the great garden pictures located on page 5 of January’s edition.
More pictures of the potting party available at http://jalbum.net/a/1302633
Arbor Day—DAR tree installation
DON’T FORGET! You have to log your hours onto the VMS system!
Photos courtesy of Andy D., Ed & Lynn F.
Sea Oat potting party. 1
GIMME FIVE
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
By John B.
By Linda M.
As is often inevitable, we all tend to become accepting of the status quo relative to our involvement in any worthy endeavor. This can often manifest itself in a way which leads to lesser participation, rationalizing that “someone else will do it”.
February brings us early signs of Spring. Here are some interesting wildlife happenings for this month: BIRDS: Early purple martin scouts will start to appear in Florida this month. Now is the time to raise bird houses or gourds. Ospreys will begin nesting in north Florida near the end of the month. Found throughout Florida, but may be rare in some areas. The interior of the panhandle has very few nesting birds, and winter sightings are even less common. Population may be increasing, however, and sightings may become more regular at some inland lakes and rivers in the panhandle. North Florida woodcocks begin courtship behavior. Listen at dusk for their “peenting” in open fields. Pileated Woodpeckers begin their mating season and will start announcing territories by drumming on various objects including houses and telephone poles. Others who are beginning their nesting season include: Little Blue and Tri-colored Herons, Wood and Mottled Ducks, and Snail Kites. Purple Finches and Pine Siskins will leave our feeders and begin their migration back to northern nesting areas. American Swallow-tailed kites begin returning to Florida from South American wintering areas.
It is in this spirit, that the “Gimme Five” campaign is intended. Simply stated, “Gimme Five” is an invitation for you to consider renewing your commitment to the OCMGA by undertaking and contributing five more volunteer hours than you performed in 2012. Yes, this is very modest, corresponding to less than 30 minutes per month. But, if each active Master Gardener accepts and fulfills this challenge, we could collectively provide more than 400 additional hours of service for the residents of Okaloosa County in 2013. As we are all “maturing”, many of us are facing physical limitations, precluding us from doing the more rigorous volunteer activities. But the range of MG contribution niches is wellsuited to valuing our priceless resource of experience and wisdom. Activities such as fielding phone calls in the Extension or Annex Offices, speaking at a civic organization meeting, contributing articles to “The Compost Pile”, updating the area horticultural resource guide, etc. are all critical needs that anyone can perform effectively.
MAMMALS: Eastern Moles are breeding this month in tunnels under our lawns. Striped Skunks begin their breeding season. Pocket Gophers begin their spring breeding season.
Already this month, several of our members have decided to become “Gimme Five” ambassadors by volunteering at the Nursery. In addition to giving a big boost to the regular Nursery “cast of characters”, these folks re-discovered that it was fun and rewarding!
REPTILES: Alligator snapping turtles will start mating this month, with nesting activity throughout the spring. Strictly a turtle of rivers, though it utilizes backwater swamps, overflow lakes, and impoundments as well as main channels. Present year-round but rarely observed because of secretive, bottom-dwelling habits. Females nest in late April and May, with young emerging in August and September. Gopher tortoises seldom seen outside burrows.
I believe that you, too, will rediscover that, far from being a drudge, your renewed commitment will be a “labor of love”. The new giving tree logo is intended to remind you to consider becoming a “Gimme Five” ambassador by volunteering five additional hours, but more importantly, to remember that it is better to give than receive.
FISH: Crappie and Striped bass are spawning. Large schools of Spanish mackerel roam Florida Bay. Shad spawning occurring in rivers.
Ed note: Opportunities abound! We need folks to volunteer for Chair of the speaker’s bureau, Activities chair, and Awards chair! 2
Click here to register on-line or email here
February 5th Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance and Limited Lawn and Ornamental Pesticide Training and Exam Contact Sheila to register! sdunning@ufl.edu 850-689-5850
February 2nd 9:30am to 2pm Emerald Coast Convention Center
TRAINING CLASSES All training classes are on Mondays at the Extension Office in Crestview—beginning at 9 am Feb. 4th (soil testing); Feb. 11th (plant science and propagation); Feb. 18th; Feb. 25th; March 4th (Turkey Creek); March 11th; March 18th; March 25th; April 1st; April 8th; April 15; April 22nd; April 29th (WFREC); May 6th– final class
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS February 6th, 9am @ Extension Annex, Ft. Walton Beach March 6th, 9am @ Extension Office, Crestview April 3rd, 9am Shalimar Baptist Church, Shalimar
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THE TOUCH, THE FEEL OF COTTON.... ...the faaaabric of our liiiives. There. Now that I've implanted that song in your brain, you can join me in trying to shake it loose and get rid of it! It's been bouncing around in my head for weeks now as I've contemplated writing this article about cotton. Is there any truth to that claim? Is cotton really the fabric of our lives? What about wool, flax, hemp...yak hair? Don't they count too? Well, it seems that cotton actually does hold a significant claim to the title, in terms of the production and use of cotton world-wide. But statistics later. Let's look at some of the facts about cotton first:
By Karen H. world production are about 25 million tons annually, accounting for 2.5% of the world's arable land, whether it be new world cotton, with longer, smoother fibers, or the shorter and coarser old world varieties. Cotton controversies?
Yes, several. Cotton fiber is somewhat flammable, especially the lighter fibers that hold a lot of air. Some of that is chemically treated to reduce flammability and that causes environmental controversy, particularly in the developing world. Also in those regions of the world, pesticides are heavily employed to combat insect infestations. A number of producers Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a capsule called a also genetically modify the plant, a practice viewed skeptically by boll, which surrounds the seeds of the cotton plant. Cotton is of some. Cotton also has very large water requirements, which may the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. Left to place stress on nations with limited water resources. In the late 20th century, there began to be greater emphasis on organic, its own devices, the cotton boll is designed to help carry the seeds long distances on the wind so that the plant can distribute sustainable cotton grown and harvested without the use of pestiitself. However, beginning thousands of years ago, humans real- cides. It is significantly more expensive than conventionally farmed varieties, however, and may not be practical for most ized that those soft fibers might be suitable for textile use and consumers. began to breed the plant, selecting for fluffy, easily spun varieties. Cotton is one of the oldest fibers under human cultivation Did you know that... and evidence of cultivation over 7,000 years old has been recovered from archaeological sites, including fragments of cotton -while white is the most commonly grown color of cotton, the fabric excavated in Mexico and the Indus Valley Civilization plant is also grown in colors such as brown, rust and purple? (modern day Pakistan). -American paper currency is composed of 75% cotton? The cotton plant is in the mallow family, which is familiar to us gardeners and includes hibiscus and hollyhocks, among many others. The plant is a shrub, and is native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, and India. The greatest diversity of wild cotton species is found in Mexico, followed by Australia and Africa. Cotton was independently domesticated in both the Old and New Worlds. The English name for cotton derives from the Arabic (al) qutn which began to be used around 1400 AD. The Spanish word, "algodón", is likewise derived from the Arabic.
-the first light bulb used a cotton filament? -"Jean" was the French name for a blended cotton-linen or cotton-wool cloth popular with the sailors of Genoa, who were nicknamed "genes" by the French. So the “genes” wore “jean” and thus the cultural phenomenon of “jeans” was born, which answers THAT question! It turns out cotton is just more cotton-picking fun than you had ever imagined! http://tinyurl.com/ajl4uad; http://tinyurl.com/ az37ef8
Here are some tips for caring properly for your cotton garments After harvesting, cotton must be combed to remove the seeds. and textiles: http://tinyurl.com/b2sq2jj This used to be a laborious process until the invention of the cotton gin, which quickly separates the seeds from the fiber and combs them for spinning. The cotton gin lowered the cost of production and that led to much greater interest in cotton, making it the most widely used natural fiber cloth in clothing today. (The cotton gin was invented in 1793 by Eli Whitney and that's an interesting story in itself: http://tinyurl.com/6pzufl). While a single fiber of cotton is not terribly strong, when multiple curling fibers are straightened and twisted together, they form a strong, smooth thread that can be knitted or woven, as well as dyed. The fiber is generally spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile. Consumers from all nations wear and Continued on next page use cotton in a variety of applications. Current estimates for 4
COTTON
continued
Now, for those statistics. China is the world's largest producer of cotton, but most of this is used domestically. The United States has been the largest exporter for many years. Perhaps no surprise to anyone, the Southeast region of the U.S. produces the most cotton., accounting for 4.5 million bales ginned annually. Georgia leads the Southeast region in the estimated number of bales ginned, followed by North Carolina, Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia and Florida (in that order). The MidSouth region (comprised of Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri and Louisiana) runs a close second to the Southeast Region in production, accounting for 4.4 million bales ginned. People may not realize that the Southwest region (comprised of Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma) is a significant producer of cotton, with Texas alone accounting for 3.4 million of the total 3.5 million bales ginned in that region. And the far West region gets into the act as well, with California, Arizona and New Mexico ginning .9 million bales annually: http://tinyurl.com/ a53v8jv The link below leads to detailed production data from the cotton-producing states, with 2008 being the most recent year shown. The table shows Okaloosa County's peak cotton production years to have been from 2000-2002, with 9700 bales harvested in 2001. This compares with 5,500 bales harvested in 2008. But while overall production is down, the yield per acre has nearly doubled, increasing from 597 pounds per acre in 2001 to 1,100 pounds per acre in 2008: http://tinyurl.com/ b4upv9t There are numerous other types of production data available and anyone interested in the subject of cotton production will find a lot here: http://www.cotton.org/econ/cropinfo/ cropdata/ And if that's not enough information, here is a whole collection of cotton information sites: http://tinyurl.com/bamcrqv And finally, that song. Many of us will remember it from the original fabric-of-our lives advertising campaign, that featured such heartwarming scenes as this: http://tinyurl.com/ cwcm9w
BOOK REVIEW
By Marg S.
Gardeners today face a unique challenge: how do you create a beautiful, thriving landscape without environmentally harmful fertilizers, pesticides, and water use? Sustainable Gardening for Florida might be the first place to look for answers. This book provides interesting, money-saving ideas to reduce your ecological footprint. It includes chapters on composting and mulching, integrated pest management, water-wise irrigation and rainwater harvesting, preparing your garden for disasters, and all aspects of managing meadows, lawns, trees and shrubs, edible gardens, rain gardens and waterfront gardening. Also includes a glossary and list of plants. 325 pp. Published by University Press of Florida. Half of all royalties from sales of this book will be paid directly to the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. This book is available through the IFAS Extension Bookstore and on Amazon.
LIKEABLE LINKS Every so often we receive really interesting links from our members. Thanks to Ed S. and Rick H. for this month’s contributions. Urban farming and combating the food desert in Chicago http://tinyurl.com/cx8v527 When is a vegetable not a vegetable? http://tinyurl.com/9wk2xzq Earlier spring flowers due to global warming? http://tinyurl.com/b3fv57b Metronomes in sync http://tinyurl.com/9drztzj
But you may not have noticed how very hip the campaign has become in recent years! Here are a couple of the current ads to bring you up to speed: http://tinyurl.com/9bt2xu8
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Weed of the Month Florida Betony, Stachys floridana is also called “rattlesnake weed” and sometimes “hedgenettle.” This weed grows on wet, sandy soils, lawns, landscape beds, roadsides and thickets throughout Florida, westward to Texas and northward to Virginia. It is a problem weed in both gardens and lawns. Florida betony is a “winter” perennial actively growing in mid - to late fall and spring and then slowing or becoming dormant in the extreme temperatures of winter and summer. Like most plants in the mint family, Florida Betony has 10-15 inch, square stems with two-inch-long, oval, aromatic and opposite leaves. The flowers are usually pink, have the classic mint-like structure and occur in clusters of 3-6 in the upper leaf axils. Although Florida Betony spreads by seeds, rhizomes and tubers, seedlings are rarely seen. Virtually all spreading is by tubers. It has the unique characteristic of producing white tubers that look like the rattles of a rattlesnake, hence the name “rattlesnake weed.” The young sprouts growing from the tubers have leaves on opposite sides of the stem which is usually square and quite hairy.
by Jenny G. to spread aggressively and make it difficult to be removed by hand. You may have better success by using an appropriate herbicide. Just be sure to read and follow all label instructions. The first line of defense against Florida betony in lawns is to use cultural practices that promote vigorous turfgrass growth and development. Florida betony does not readily infest turfgrass that is properly fertilized, watered, and mowed at the correct height and frequency. Florida betony is usually found in bare or thin areas of the lawn. Keep in mind that the strongest defense against weeds is a healthy lawn, so be sure to mow, fertilize, and irrigate your lawn according to UF/IFAS best management practices. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fw041 http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/giam/problems/ weeds/florida_betony.html http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep388 http://thefamilyherbalist.wordpress.com/2 0/12/09/ florida-betony-stachys-floridana/
Tubers of Florida betony can reach lengths of more than 1 meter in moist, sandy soils. The tubers are edible and some people relish their succulent flavor. They are said to have a very fresh taste and are crisp and crunchy when you bite into them. Tasting like a very mild radish, the tubers can be sautéed with butter or oil, boiled, pickled, added to soup and stews or just eaten raw in salads. They have been known to sell for $20.00 per pound! Who knows, maybe one day we will be figuring out how to grow Florida betony instead of killing it! Anyone want some fresh rattlesnake weed tubers in their salad? However, the edible tubers are what make rattlesnake weed such a tough weed to get rid of. They allow the weed 6
WHY DO WE WANT TO ATTRACT WILDLIFE? “A concern for the land and its resources is basic to our survival, both as individuals and as a nation, for we cannot live apart from our planetary home. Environmental quality and human health and well-being are interdependent. Our environmental future to a large degree is in our hands. Working together will have a beneficial effect on future environments as well as on the lives and well-being of humans and wildlife who will share them.” Project Wild
Good environmental stewardship begins in our own back yards. When we plant trees, shrubs, and flowers around our homes, we are also building homes for a whole community of animals. Even if we plant only a few useful plants, we are improving the habitat for wildlife.
clude aesthetic, ecological, scientific, political, commercial, economic, recreational and intrinsic values.
Wildlife viewing activities generate more than $5 billion in Florida a year.
For us older folks watching wildlife will help to develop better visual and hearing acuity, and generally we will become much more observant than the average person.
Understanding how wildlife and other natural resources can be managed and conserved helps us acquire the knowledge, information and skills to assist in making informed and responsible decisions affecting wildlife, people and our shared environments.
A more conscious awareness of the plants and animals in your yard will add a new dimension of colors, sights, and sounds to your outdoor experiences.
Inviting nature back into our cities will make our urban environments nicer places to grow up and live in.
Florida’s marvelous wealth and diversity of wildlife is at risk. Over 15 fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are now classified as endangered, threatened or of special concern and that number grows each year. Loss of wildlife habitat, the land, food and water animals must have to live is largely responsible. Human population growth, development and intensive agricultural practices have caused extensive habitat reduction and fragmentation.
Designing a landscape with native plants and wildflowers, will save gasoline and mowing time, and increase the lawn’s capacity to hold water in the soil. Native lawns also cut down fertilizing needs and help keep lakes and wetlands clean.
Pollution, exploitation and the introduction of non-native species of animals and plants have hurried our native animals and plants along the road to endangerment and extinction.
Even a tiny yard is big enough to attract some animals. A nest box, potted plants, water dish, and bird feeder will fit in a large window box and attract birds and butterflies. No matter what kind of yard you have, you have room for wildlife.
By landscaping with native plants, and getting rid of as much of your lawn as possible and devoting the space to more natural vegetation provides food and cover for wildlife and makes your yard look more attractive.
While wildlife watching, besides just being great fun for the whole family, you will learn more about the natural beauty of our area, enjoy many spectacular creatures, and benefit from the fresh air and exercise.
Wildlife contributions to people and the environment, in-
by Linda M.
Enjoying wildlife in your yard will give you an opportunity to share what you learn with your children, grandchildren and friends. Sources: Project Wild, “What Have You Done for Wildlife Lately?” Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, Florida Birding Trail, National Wildlife Federation
DON’T FORGET! IF YOU HAVE PHOTOS, IDEAS, ARTICLES....ANYTHING SEND THEM IN!!!!!!
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Marg Stewart—Editor Shari Farrell, Karen Harper and Linda Meyers—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
LAST WORD Most times, this column comes fairly easily. This, my friends, is not one of those times. Ever have one of those days when you have too many ideas running around? They are like potato chips—you can’t just have one. And choosing just one, that doesn’t seem right at all. The idea that keeps hounding me goes back to the first night of psychology class. The professor asked everyone to respond to three questions: (1) What makes a good student? (2) What makes a good teacher? and (3) What makes good curriculum? Think about that for a moment. Sure, easy questions to answer when you’re sitting at home but actually telling an instructor what your criteria is—not so easy. I have to admit, he had our undivided attention at that point. The answers that finally started coming out were insightful and sometimes surprising. My choice for what makes a good student was ‘respect’. Respect for yourself and for others. After making that list—we realized that most of our other qualities all related back to respect. So what is the big deal when it comes to respect? We all know that we want it—but how do we define it? Do we expect it in all avenues of our life? Of course we do! BUT, and here’s the kicker—do we GIVE it as much as we want to RECEIVE it?
The Foundation for the Gator Nation.....An equal opportunity institution.
I think that respect is something that we can’t possible GET until we GIVE it. Wait, it gets a bit more detailed. Respect can be given even when the other person doesn’t know you’re doing it! The other day, I went shopping and after loading my purchases into my car, I took my cart and another that was sitting nearby to the cart return. Yes, it was out of my way. Yes, it 9
By Marg S. took time and YES it was a minor thing. But in reality I think of it as respecting the person who has to go out and retrieve those carts. If you pick up something in a store and later decide that you don’t want it...where is the harm in returning it to where you got it from? Respect for the next person in the store as well as the employee that will have to cart the item back. Cell phones. I supposed because they are verboten in class, I’ve developed the habit of making sure that my cell is on vibrate before I even enter the building. Not having it go off—respect for the instructor and fellow classmates. Remember when we were kids and when someone said they would do something? What was our response? We always said, “Promise?” In all reality we were asking for the respect of the person to do what they said they would do. Our words and our actions convey respect in so many ways. And people are watching and taking note. You never know who may be watching what we do and hearing what we say. With that in mind shouldn’t we always try to aim for the most respectful frame of mind possible? Shouldn’t we always try to keep our word? I say, yes. On that note, I think Robert Frost said it best: “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.” I’d like to think that we all can enjoy the woods but never forget that we have promises to keep with ourselves and with each other.