Nl june 13

...for discerning weeders An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication June, 2013

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Inside this issue:

Weed of the

2

Month Walk on the Wild 3 Side Ladybugs

4

Onion flowers

5

Natural Pesti-

6

cides Edible Flowers

8

Bookstore

9

Riddle

9

Last Word

10

DON’T FORGET! You have to log your hours onto the VMS system!

As many of you are aware, our colleague master gardener, Robert Fultyn, has just relocated to the Orlando area to be close to his son and daughter-in-law, as they await the imminent birth of twins. Predictably, as a new grandfather-to-be, Robert is full of anticipation and excitement. After a distinguished career as a scientist at Los Alamos, Robert became a master gardener with the class of 1996, and has served the OCMGA with distinction, especially as our acknowledged turf grass “guru.” Prior to departing, Robert decided to continue his contributions to the OCMGA by donating valuable books, tools and equipment for our internal use and /or fundraising benefit. As we wish Robert well as he commences this new fulfilling role, I would challenge each of you, veteran and intern alike, to consider becoming a subject matter expert (SME), as we begin this new strategic educational initiative. Whether it be expertise related to grass, like Robert, or any other horticultural discipline, your participation in this program will facilitate our mission to educate and better inform the people of Okaloosa County. I can envision no more fitting tribute to Robert than to develop a “Corps of MGs”, as subject matter experts. Good luck, and happy gardening, Robert!

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

LIFE is like a camera.

FOCUS on what’s important.

CAPTURE the good times.

DEVELOP from the negatives.

If things don’t work out...TAKE ANOTHER SHOT!

By John B.

We’ve gotten some very good links submitted by our fellow Master Gardeners. Many thanks to everyone who sent in info!

First off, we all drive and this link is from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and shows how we can be looking directly at something and miss it the first time around. Compelling evidence to always check twice. http://www.msf-usa.org/motion.html If you are like me, you really wish you could make your food dollars stretch a bit farther.

Here is a great link on how to re-grow some vegetables that you may not have thought of before. http://tinyurl.com/cy633u8

A word for your vocabulary (if you don’t already know it): silviculture—the care and cultivation of forest trees.

A phrase that we all need to pay attention to: “natural state of intellectual inertia” An article from the NY Times regarding food nutrition: http://tinyurl.com/lwkrxfd If you come across interesting items, make sure to send them in! We’re always open to articles and ideas!

Happy June!

1

WEED OF THE MONTH

by Jenny G.

American Burnweed Erechtites hieracifolia

A weed seedling has shown up in my lawn and garden beds this month. I haven’t seen this weed before so I carefully pulled it out of the grass and was surprised to see how few roots it had. Hmmm, I thought, maybe it’s an annual. I took it into the UF/IFAS County Extension Annex on Hollywood Blvd. for identification. This weed is American Burnweed, Fireweed or sometimes Pilewort, Erechtites hieracifolia.

Fireweed got its name because it is one of the first weeds to show up after a fire.

any broadleaf weed control spray should work.”

Burnweed has a few redeeming features: The presence of this weed might indicate soil deficiencies: low calcium and phosphorous, high potassium and iron. http:// tinyurl.com/lsbetk5 Burnweed may be an indicator or host of Mi (= M. incognita ) – Southern root-knot nematode and - or Mj (= M. javanica ) – Javanese root-knot nematode. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in846

The good news is this summer weed is an annual so it can only reproduce by seed. The bad news is annuals can only reproduce by seed so they make the most of it by generating hundreds and sometimes even thousands of seeds. So, it only takes one plant to infest a neighborhood. Hmm, perhaps that’s how it ended up in my garden. http://tinyurl.com/ldcdjzw

Peterson's: “A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America”: says it can be used for a salad or cooked green. In Asia they eat the leaves raw. An acquired taste for it, as the book says is probably being kind for its strong flavor. It looks sort of like a wild lettuce but it has white, not yellow, blossoms from the green bracts or buds. The white Now what? blossoms that open from the bracts are also hairlike or downy seeds, not yellow flower petals like the wild lettuce.” Anyway I Research: Fireweed is primarily a weed of pastures, abandoned have been seeing a lot of them just about everywhere lately. fields, farm crops and roadsides. It’s found in almost any disNo, I do not want to eat any.” Says Walter Muma of Wildturbed area from Maine, Minnesota, and South Dakota, south wood Survival http://tinyurl.com/k58rwco throughout the eastern, central, the southern states, and Oregon and Hawaii. It’s also found in Newfoundland, Quebec, the Other helpful links: West Indies, Mexico, Central America, South America, and Asia. Fireweed is described as a tall, mostly unbranched, erect http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/mg/mg_compendium/ Weeds_of_Southern_Turfgrasses/EREHI.htm summer annual.

Leaves and stems are bright green and fleshy. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate with shallow teeth along the margin (more - toward the leaf-tip), approximately 2 to 8 inches long, and ½ to 1 ½ inches wide. The stems are erect, solid, and usually without hairs (but occasionally slightly hairy), from 1 ½ feet to 6-10 feet tall! It prefers full sun, tolerates moderate shade, but needs fairly moist, well-drained soil.

http://www.commodities.caes.uga.edu/turfgrass/georgiaturf/ WeedMngt/grsweedpages/Erehi.html

Flowers bloom from August – September in open, terminal clusters but they don’t open much. White tufts at the top of the stem are the seed heads which have parachutes attached and allow for wind dispersal. This fluffy portion of the seed heads floats the seeds in the breeze, just like dandelions .

More info and good pix: http://www.missouriplants.com/ Whitealt/ites_hieracifolia_page.html

http://nassau.ifas.ufl.edu/Horticulture/questions/weeds.html http://courses.missouristate.edu/pbtrewatha/ american_burnweed.htm

So, that’s how it takes only one plant to infest a neighborhood!

“You can control Burnweed with a pre-emergent designed for broadleaf weeds, applied in March…but the weed is so easy to pull, try hand weeding first. If the plants are too numerous, 2

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

By Linda M. Courtesy of UF/IFAS “Wildlife Happenings” As May heads into June and the beginning of summer, let’s hope it brings many beautiful, lazy days.

Here are some interesting wildlife happenings going on this month: Birds: It’s breeding season for laughing gulls, least terns, oystercatchers, and black skimmers. They nest on islands, undisturbed beaches, and even rooftops when their preferred habitat is unavailable.

Mockingbirds may attack pedestrians who wander too close to nesting sites. Mockingbirds are known for their eager defense of their territory, nest and young. Both male and female birds sing, unmated males are heard at night. A male’s repertoire can contain more than 150 distinct songs including those of other birds, animals and mechanical sounds.

Mammals: Southern Flying Squirrels start their breeding season.

Red bats and Seminole bats give birth.

Florida is home to thirteen species of bats that are either year round or seasonal residents. All thirteen species are insectivorous. Some live in colonies and others roost alone.

Night Blooming Cereus courtesy of Dick H.

Datura courtesy of Dick H.

Reptiles: It’s the height of the Gopher Tortoise season.

In Florida, these long lived retiles are listed as Threatened.

Both the tortoise and his burrow is protected under state law.

They live in upland habitat including forests, pastures and yards. They share their deep dug burrows with more than 350 other species.

Insects: Cicadas emerge from their underground growth period to begin making their classic summer sound.

Cicadas are found throughout the eastern United States but are not considered major forest pests in Florida. There are many species of cicadas. These insects are also called locusts.

Special dates in June June 1, 1952: First sighting of cattle egrets in Florida.

June 14, 1969: Last sighting of Ivory-billed woodpeckers in Florida. Special Note: Researchers are pretty confident they have found solid activity of Ivory-bills in the Choctawhatchee River Basin.

3

“LADY BUG, LADYBUG FLY AWAY HOME”

by Linda M.

We all probably remember the favorite nursery rhyme about this In Florida, adults and larvae of 75 species feed on scale insects little beetle,... and 13 feed primarily on aphids. Other species feed on mealybugs, mites and whiteflies. Adults and larvae of some species Ladybug! Ladybug! also feed on plants. In Florida the squash beetle, feeds on memFly away home. bers of the squash family and the Mexican bean beetle, feeds on Your house is on fire. the bean family. Ladybugs of the subfamily Coccinellinae feed on And your children all gone. fungal growths (mildews) on the leaves of plants. The Rodolia cardinalis is highly effective at controlling cottonycushion scale, Ladybirds, Ladybird Beetles, Lady Beetles, or Ladybugs are the a pest of citrus, several other trees and shrubs including Acacia, most common names that have been used for this family of beeCasuarina, and Pittosporum. tles. Ladybirds is the name Ladybug larvae and adults may supplement their normal prey in used in Engtimes of scarcity with other types of food. They consume flower land for more nectar, water, and honeydew – the sugary excretion of piercingthan 600 sucking insects such as aphids and whiteflies. years. They were named Ladybugs can be purchased for consumer use, but keep in mind for the "the that released ladybugs may not establish in your garden—if they Virgin Mary." do not like the conditions, they will simply fly away. A good way In the US, the to increase ladybugs is to encourage the growth of populations name ladybird that are already present. Make conditions as favorable as possiwas American- ble and avoid spraying chemicals that will harm them. Gardenized to ladybug. Many ladybug species are considered beneficial ers sometimes mistake ladybug larvae and pupae for pests and to humans because they eat insects considered "plant pests." kill them. Make sure you are familiar with what the different Worldwide, nearly 6,000 species of ladybugs are known, of lifecycle stages of ladybugs look like so that they will find a welwhich 98 are currently reported to be found in Florida. come home in your landscape.

Ladybug adults are oval, range in length from about 1 mm to over 10 mm depending on the species, and have wings. Females on average are larger than males. Adults of some species are brightly colored including orange or red with spots, and solid black, orange, or red. Their mandibles are used for chewing.

Adult ladybugs are able to reflex-bleed a repulsive smelling alkaloid toxin as a defense mechanism against predators. Some believe the bright colors of adult ladybugs warn would-be predators that the beetles are distasteful or toxic.

Sources of information: Ladybirds, Ladybird beetles, Lady Beetles, Ladybugs of Florida, Coleoptera: Coccinellidae, J. H. Frank, R. F. Mizell, III Natural Enemies and Biological Control, Hugh A. Smith and John L. Capinera Ladybugs of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life

Ladybugsʼ oval yellow eggs hatch larvae that have been described as looking “alligator-like.” The larval stage is elongate and flattened, and usually blackish or bluish with orange spots.

In Florida, one common ladybug species has larvae with white, waxy exudate on its back. If you see a white insect crawling amongst aphids, it very likely is this ladybug. The pupal stage is similar to the larva in color, though not capable of moving or feeding. So far as is known, all the Florida species have this typical life cycle. Ladybugs usually have several generations each year, and reproduction is slowed or halted by cooler winter weather, when adults may hibernate.

Do you have an ‘critter’ that you want to know more about? A weed? Let us know! Send in your requests and we’ll work on them for future editions of The Compost Pile!

4

ONION FLOWERS AND GARLIC FLOWERS This article was originally published by Vicki Mattern in edibleyardworks.com and Mother Earth News in response to this question: I noticed onion flowers and garlic flowers in my garden last summer. What caused this, and, in the future, should I remove the flowering stems or let them bloom?

Onions are biennial, which means they ordinarily produce bulbs in their first year of growth, then, if left in the garden, they flower and bear seed in their second year. George Boyhan, a vegetable specialist at the University of Georgia extension office, says springtime temperature swings — such as a warm spell followed by a cold snap — can sometimes cause onions to bloom.

That’s especially true if cold weather strikes an onion that is approaching maturity, a state usually indicated by seven true leaves. Younger plants with fewer leaves are less likely to bloom early.

What to do? Harvest any flowering onions and use the bulbs immediately, because they won’t keep well. (You can put the pretty flowering stems in a vase with water.) Do not break off the flower stems or leave the bulbs in the ground for later harvest — the bulbs won’t grow any larger, and the broken, hollow flower stems will channel rainwater directly to the bulbs, encouraging rot.

Courtesy of Shari F. Bulb formation is triggered by the amount of daylight, so be sure you are planting the right “day length” type for your area — “long day” onion varieties in northerly latitudes, and “short day” onion varieties in southerly latitudes. Smaller onion sets (less than the size of a dime in diameter) are less likely to bolt than larger sets.

Hardneck garlic produces long, curled stems, called “scapes,” in early to midsummer, following a fall planting. Snip off the scapes as soon as they appear, but don’t harvest the garlic bulbs yet. Unlike onions, the flowering garlic bulbs will continue to grow after the scapes have been removed, putting all of their energy into making the bulb. A tasty bonus: You can use scapes from flowering garlic — which have a pleasantly mild garlicky flavor — in soups, salads, stir-fries or pestos. Harvest garlic bulbs when the lower five leaves of the plant have turned brown.

According to several website found these flowers are edible.

There are approximately four hundred species that includes onion, garlic, chives, ramps, and shallots. All members of this genus are edible. Their flavors range from mild onions and leeks right through to strong onion and garlic. All parts of the plants are edible. The flowers tend to have a stronger flavor than the leaves According to Boyhan, onions are regionally developed. To reduce and the young developing seed-heads are even stronger. We eat the chance of onion flowers blooming (or “bolting”) too soon, the leaves and flowers mainly in salads. The leaves can also be check with your extension service for recommended varieties. cooked as a flavoring with other vegetables in soups, etc.

Peach hibiscus courtesy of Dick H.

Dick H. favorite Lily. Anyone know what it is?

5

NATURAL PESTICIDES As we evolve in our dual roles as stewards of the land and as advisers to the gardening public, we become more and more committed to the responsible use of pesticides. Many of us are firmly in the 'no-spray' camp and the rest are in the category of using pesticides sparingly, as a last resort and always with the goal of using the least harmful substances we can find to accomplish the goal. Thus, the interest in so-called natural pesticides. Most of us seem to use the terms pesticide and insecticide interchangeably although you might recall from your master gardening classes that technically 'pesticide' refers to substances that kill insects or microbes.

By Karen H. use with some success for controlling the pesky citrus leaf miners that have been the bane of my existence as a citrus grower.

This past spring I jumped into a new adventure in growing deciduous fruit trees. Since my last effort (back in the '90's) didn't bear fruit, so to speak, I have a renewed interest in what's available with low toxicity to help control the diseases that seem to plague apple trees and the like. Although my baby trees are mostly thriving so far this year, I'll be making make use of dormant oil spray in order to get ahead of the problems that I know will present themselves once this year's temporary honeymoon is over. http://tinyurl.com/oladyrx And if that's not First, let's deal with what we all know already which is that no enough protection, I also like what I'm reading about lime sulfur pesticide is harmless, whether it's natural or chemical. If the sub- spray as a new alternative to the more toxic sulfur sprays of the stance is supposed to kill something then by definition it's harm- past. The addition of lime has been found to reduce the toxicity ful. Insecticides, even those that are naturally derived, kill off all of the sulfur spray: http://tinyurl.com/o3z5uzu insect life. Further complicating the definition of 'natural' is the Slugs? I hate them. Who doesn't? This year they helped themfact that several effective chemicals are actually plant-derived selves freely to much of my strawberry crop during a time when I and marketed as insecticides. These include Rotenone, pyrethrum, sabadilla, and nicotine extracts, with Rotenone and pyre- was occupied with non-gardening activities and didn't have time thrum being quite toxic. Also, problems have recently been noted to set out traps or spread the diatomaceous earth that might with the use of nicotine-based pesticides. They are being blamed have saved my strawberries. DE is another naturally-occurring substance that has a wide variety of uses in the garden and landfor the increase in the colony-collapse disorder that is affecting honeybee and bumblebee populations and therefore threatening scape, including discouraging slugs from eating your crops. DE consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled the pollinators that we depend on so heavily. The entire class of algae. It is a soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumpesticides called neonicotinoids has already been banned in bled into a fine white to off-white powder with sharp particle France and Italy: http://tinyurl.com/7nxoqyp edges that would slice a slug to ribbons if it were stupid enough So, with all that in mind, what are the tried and true choices for to crawl across it. That alone might give satisfaction to the garthe gardener who wishes to use the most natural, least harmful dener bent on revenge but DE unfortunately has the disadpesticides possible and what are the latest developments in natu- vantage of having to be re-applied after rainfall and (one would ral pesticides? IFAS has a very good, comprehensive article on assume) after irrigation, making it a good choice only if you can this subject, discussing pros and cons of the most commonly trust yourself to remember to re-apply it frequently. Next year to used natural pesticides: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in197 protect my strawberries from slugs I'm thinking of growing them in elevated containers. That would also deter the baby turtles Here is an article from the Montana Garden Club that also prowho moved into my strawberry patch when they heard about the vides a good summary of what is currently available: http:// easy pickings there. And then I could throw netting over the www.mtfgc.org/pdfs/naturalinsecticides.pdf I found the sugges- whole shebang which just might keep the birds and squirrels out tion for feeding your beneficial insects to be very interesting too. (give 'em Bug Chow). I once bought a large quantity of ladybugs and released them in my yard and they all pretty much disapContinued on page 7 peared. Now I know that probably happened because I didn't have aphids (or other ladybug insect food of choice) at the time and I didn't have Bug Chow at the ready to keep the ladybugs around until I did have the bad bugs. Who knew? Back in 2009, I purchased the spinosad concentrate mentioned in the second paragraph of this article in an attempt to battle the citrus leaf miners that were plaguing my young citrus trees. I bought this version: http://tinyurl.com/nuuv392 but I opted not to use it when I learned of its toxicity to bees. Both of the links provided at the end of the article are good sources for natural pest control items and I've purchased from both companies over the years.

Planet Natural is my source for the yellow sticky traps that I now 6

NATURAL

continued

Don't forget to consider keeping neem oil in your natural pesticide arsenal. Neem oil is derived from the neem tree, which is native to India and Burma. Neem oil works by blocking insects’ hormones. It enters their bodies in much the same way that natural hormones do. However, neem blocks the effects of their natural hormones, causing them to stop eating, mating and laying eggs. In time, they will perish. The local insect population will diminish, breaking their reproductive cycle and resulting in a marked decrease in the number of troublesome insects. Of course, neem oil will affect beneficial insects as well, so the suggestion is made to spray neem on your plants early in the day, before beneficial insects become active. The spray will dry as the day warms up and because beneficial insects eat other insects or their larvae and not your plants, the neem spray will not affect

them.

Here's an interesting article on research being done on using derivatives from lantana to control grain weevils: http:// tinyurl.com/pjxrngz I'm not sure this will have any practical application for gardeners but it does kind of give you a new respect for lantana, doesn't it?

Finally, here's a whole list of recipes for various concoctions you can buy or create to use in your natural pesticide program. I vouch for none of them :-) with the exception of insecticidal soap, diatomaceous earth and BT spray, all of which I know from experience to be useful in the garden: http://tinyurl.com/ pyec7w5

Triple Whirligig Amaryllis Tri-color ginger in bloom! Thank you Diane R.

7

EDIBLE FLOWERS

By Marg S.

Most of us have plenty of flowers in our gardens and landscapes.

But there are quite a few plants that produce edible flowers along with their other parts! As always, if you aren’t sure—don’t eat it! Here’s a list of some of the more common ones:

licorice flavor, much like the herb itself.

22. Fuchsia—Tangy fuchsia flowers make a beautiful garnish.

23. Gladiolus—Who knew? Although gladioli are bland, they can be stuffed, or their petals removed for an interesting salad garnish.

1. Allium—All blossoms from the allium family (leeks, chives, 24. Hibiscus—Famously used in hibiscus tea, the vibrant crangarlic, garlic chives) are edible and flavorful! Flavors run the berry flavor is tart and can be used sparingly. gamut from delicate leek to robust garlic. Every part of these 25. Hollyhock—Bland and vegetal in flavor, hollyhock blossoms plants is edible. make a showy, edible garnish.

2. Angelica—Depending on the variety, flowers range from pale 26. Impatiens—Flowers don’t have much flavor — best as a pretlavender-blue to deep rose and have a licorice-like flavor. ty garnish or for candying.

3. Anise hyssop—Both flowers and leaves have a subtle anise or 27. Jasmine—These super-fragrant blooms are used in tea; you licorice flavor. can also use them in sweet dishes, but sparingly.

4. Arugula—Blossoms are small with dark centers and with a 28. Johnny Jump-Up—Adorable and delicious, the flowers have peppery flavor much like the leaves. They range in color from a subtle mint flavor great for salads, pastas, fruit dishes and white to yellow with dark purple streaks. drinks.

5. Bachelor’s button—Grassy in flavor, the petals are edible.

29. Lavender—Sweet, spicy, and perfumed, the flowers are a Avoid the bitter calyx. great addition to both savory and sweet dishes. Don’t use too 6. Basil—Blossoms come in a variety of colors, from white to much or it will taste like soap! pink to lavender; flavor is similar to the leaves, but milder.

30. Lemon verbena—The diminutive off-white blossoms are red7. Bee balm—The red flowers have a minty flavor. olent of lemon — and great for teas and desserts.

8. Borage—Blossoms are a lovely blue hue and taste like cucum- 31. Lilac—The blooms are pungent, but the floral citrusy aroma ber! translates to its flavor as well.

9. Calendula / marigold—A great flower for eating, calendula 32. Mint—The flowers are — surprise! — minty. Their intensity blossoms are peppery, tangy, and spicy — and their vibrant gold- varies among varieties. en color adds dash to any dish.

33. Nasturtium—One of the most popular edible flowers, nastur10. Carnations / dianthus—Petals are sweet, once trimmed away tium blossoms are brilliantly colored with a sweet, floral flavor from the base. The blossoms taste like their sweet, perfumed bursting with a spicy pepper finish. When the flowers go to seed, aroma. the seed pod is a marvel of sweet and spicy. You can stuff flow11. Chamomile—Small and daisylike, the flowers have a sweet ers, add leaves to salads, pickle buds like capers, and garnish to flavor and are often used in tea. Ragweed sufferers may be aller- your heart’s content. gic to chamomile.

34. Oregano—The flowers are a pretty, subtle version of the leaf.

12. Chervil—Delicate blossoms and flavor, which is anise-tinged. 35. Pansy—The petals are somewhat nondescript, but if you eat 13. Chicory—Mildly bitter earthiness of chicory is evident in the the whole flower you get more taste. petals and buds, which can be pickled.

36. Radish—Varying in color, radish flowers have a distinctive, 14. Chrysanthemum—A little bitter, mums come in a rainbow of peppery bite. colors and a range of flavors range from peppery to pungent. Use 37. Rose—Remove the white, bitter base and the remaining petonly the petals. als have a strongly perfumed flavor perfect for floating in drinks 15. Cilantro—Like the leaves, people either love the blossoms or or scattering across desserts, and for a variety of jams. All roses hate them. The flowers share the grassy flavor of the herb. Use are edible, with flavor more pronounced in darker varieties. them fresh as they lose their charm when heated.

38. Rosemary—Flowers taste like a milder version of the herb; 16. Citrus (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, kumquat)—Citrus nice used as a garnish on dishes that incorporate rosemary. blossoms are sweet and highly scented. Use frugally or they will 39. Sage—Blossoms have a subtle flavor similar to the leaves. over-perfume a dish.

40. Squash and pumpkin—Blossoms from both are wonderful 17. Clover—Flowers are sweet with a hint of licorice. vehicles for stuffing, each having a slight squash flavor. Remove 18. Dandelion—Read more about dandelions here: http:// stamens before using. www.mnn.com/food/recipes/stories/cream-of-dandelion-soup- 41. Sunflower—Petals can be eaten, and the bud can be steamed a-weed-has-its-moment-in-the-sun like an artichoke.

19. Dill—Yellow dill flowers taste much like the herb’s leaves.

42. Violets—Another famous edible flower, violets are floral, 20. English daisy—These aren’t the best-tasting petals — they sweet and beautiful as garnishes. Use the flowers in salads and to are somewhat bitter — but they look great! garnish desserts and drinks.

21. Fennel—Yellow fennel flowers are eye candy with a subtle 8

IFAS BOOKSTORE SPECIALS! Botanical Keys to Florida's Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines

Modern Fruit Science Modern Fruit Science

SP 473

By Gil Nelson This unique botanical key is a field guide for amateurs and professionals, featuring the leaves, flowers, fruit, and other characteristics of 968 species of trees, shrubs, and vines. Two keys are presented. The Master Key to Major Groups of Woody Plants leads to subsidiary keys or a plant family. The family keys identify species within a particular family. Species within particular genera are grouped together within the family keys. Besides a detailed description of each plant, the author provides the likely areas where each can be found and a Glossary of Common Botanical Terms. 208 pp. Pineapple Press (2011) Price: $19.95

SP 451 Now in its 10th edition, Modern Fruit Science has been the essential textbook for the fruit growing industry and horticultural science courses worldwide for over 60 years.

Every aspect of fruit growing, from cultivar selection to marketing, is thoroughly detailed in easy-to-read text with the help of over 1,000 photographs, illustrations, charts, and tables. All important fruit crops have their own chapters, including apples, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, grapes, nuts, and strawberries. Featured topics include insect and disease control, frost and drought injury, grove and orchard management, harvesting, storage, and processing fruit. Whether you're a grower or a horticultural sciences student, this is one book you’ll reach for again and again.

Authored by Norman F. Childers, Justin R. Morris, and G. Steven Sibbett. 632 pp. ***PRICE REDUCED*** WAS $30.00 Price: $18.00

You can find these and many other books/publications at the IFAS bookstore http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/

JUST FOR FUN....MY WIFE THE GARDENER She dug the plot on Monday – the soil was rich and fine, She forgot to thaw out dinner – so we went out to dine...

She planted roses Tuesday – she says they are a must, They really are quite lovely but she quite forgot to dust.

On Wednesday it was daisies – they opened up with sun, All whites and pinks and yellows – but the laundry wasn’t done...

The poppies came on Thursday a bright and cherry red,

from an old magazine

I guess she really was engrossed – she never made the bed...

It was violets on Friday – in colours she adores, It never bothered her at all – all crumbs upon the floors I hired a maid on Saturday – my week is now complete, My wife can garden all she wants – the house will still be neat!

It’s nearly lunchtime Sunday – and I cannot find the maid, Oh no! I don’t believe it!

She’s out there WITH THE SPADE! 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 I always write this column/article based on something that is either bothering me or has caught my attention. This time, it was a question that got me started.

I recently was speaking with one of our residents about his lawn. This gentleman definitely had a sense of humor. It isn’t always when someone describes their lawn problem being that their lawn is committing suicide.

During the course of our conversation he wanted to know how much all this help was going to cost him. I’m always taken aback by that. It’s amazing how many folks out there still do not know that our services are at no cost.

It isn’t the first time that I’ve heard that from one of our clients. We need to get that word out—perhaps then a few more people would call us before spending their money on unnecessary chemicals and services.

The question about possible fees wasn’t what got my mind to going. This particular person wanted to know what the Master Gardeners were. After explaining the program, here was the question I got: “You guys volunteer? Why do you do it?”

Why indeed? Why do we do what we do?

Why do we take the time out of our own lives to man the phones, work in the nursery, attend meetings, study, research, and spend a whole bunch of time being Master Gardeners?

My response was the normal “we do it to help people” but to be honest, I’m just not satisfied with that answer. Getting good information out to the public...all those things just don’t really seem adequate.

So, I have spent a lot of time thinking about this. Why am I a Master Gardener?

Why do I choose to spend a lot of time at it? Sure, I want to help folks and I sincerely want to get the right information out there but is that all there is to it?

I sat outside and looked at my garden.

The heat had things a bit wilted but I knew that in the cooler part of the evening, everything would perk back up. I got excited about all the eggplant fruits that are growing and the tomatoes are doing 10

By Marg S. their thing. The beans are getting ready for picking. Butterflies were busy with the flowers and I even saw a couple of honey bees.

My neighbor hollered across the fence that I had to see her garden. This is the brand new garden she just started this year. We had talked about it and I gave her information on plants she wanted to grow. Got her soil test done. And here she is, proud as a peacock that she’s harvesting some of her veggies and everything looks great.

And I realized THIS is what I’m a Master Gardener for. Not just giving the information and trying to help folks. It’s the enjoyment seeing someone accomplish a goal. Getting another person out in their garden and enjoying all that a garden brings into our lives.

I’ll be going to the client’s home with the suicidal lawn this weekend. Yes, I’ll go armed with as much information as I can and try to help him figure out what needs to be done to make his lawn happy again.

But I’m also going to make sure to mention something that is good with his landscape.

Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong, we’ll deal with that and turn our attention to what is right. Get the enjoyment part to the forefront, spark that gardening bug into action.

I want to leave that home visit with the client being armed with the right knowledge and also with a sense of accomplishment for what has already been done.

In the meantime, I’m going to work on a better answer if I’m ever asked again why I’m a Master Gardener. Because when you really come down to it, we’re Master Learners more than anything else and with any luck, we can pass that joy of learning on to the people we come into contact with.

So, why did you become a Master Gardener? Why do you stay a Master Gardener?

Happy June everyone!