...for discerning weeders November, 2013
An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
WEED OF THE MONTH Carolina Geranium Geranium carolinianum
Inside this issue:
Nature Trail
2
Turkey Time!
3
Walk on the
4
Wild Side Member Sub-
4
missions Food for
5
Thought Birthdays!
5
Challenge!
5
News & Notes
6
Book Review
6
Events
7
Last Word
8
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I have to admit: the name of this weed makes me feel just a little bit tender-hearted about it. I mean, come on! It’s a geranium, right? Um, not quite. This little plant is a rather aggressive coolseason weed. It’s also very widespread and can be found throughout the United States, and parts of Canada and Mexico. You can find it in gardens, fields, pastures, disturbed places and anywhere else the soil has been disturbed. It’s easy to recognize, having a pinkish stem and finely divided leaves. It’s also rather easy to remove. Although it has a taproot, it’s a shallow one. Wait until the soil is moist and just pull the entire clump out of the ground. If you are diligent about pulling Carolina Geranium out before it flowers in spring, you shouldn’t have too much trouble removing this weed without herbicides. Moreover, this geranium is rather mildmannered and can’t usually compete with a vigorous, well-maintained lawn. Proper watering, fertilizing and mowing will usually crowd out Carolina Geraniums.
By Jenny G. Carolina Geranium is sometimes called Wild Geranium, Carolina Cranesbill, Cranesbill or Crane’s Bill. It is normally a biennial but can also be a winter or summer annual broadleaf weed. It prefers dry, open areas, but Carolina Geranium can be found growing in woodlands, prairies, limestone glades, abandoned fields, pastures, lawns, and roadsides. Actually, it grows just about anywhere! Carolina Geranium seedlings are first seen as basal rosettes. As the plant matures, multiple stems arise from the base in an overall circular growth pattern from the center. The elongating, ascending stems are usually pink to red in color. They are densely hairy and can grow 6 to 28 inches from a large tap root.
The leaves, which are ¾ to 2 ½ inches wide, are rounded and deeply divided into 5-9 lobes and each lobe is lobed again and is bluntly toothed. If your lawn or flowerbed is completely overrun Its flower is often white or pink to lavender and with Carolina Geranium and you simply cannot grows two to several together on reddish stems remove it by hand, you can use a selective herbi- from the upper nodes. Each flower has 5 petals. cide for broad-leaf weeds in the lawn. In the Flowers are less than ¼ inch wide and form in flowerbed, the safest thing is to hand-weed. clusters. Flowering typically occurs most often There is no selective herbicide for this weed that in April and May and each flower usually prowon’t also damage most ornamental bedding duces 5 seeds enclosed in a 5-lobed capsule with plants. Because Carolina Geranium reproduces a long central beak, similar to a stork’s beak or mainly by seed, apply a pre-emergent herbicide crane’s bill. Hence the name! in the late summer or early fall. The seeds emerge in fall and winter here and the plants When mature, the capsule springs open from are only really noticeable when our warmthe base and the five divisions curve upward season grasses are dormant.” http:// dispersing seeds a considerable distance. thepapershell.com/winter-weeds-carolina(continued page 2) geranium/ 1
Weed
continued The seeds are about 2 mm long, prominently veined in a rectangular pattern and oblong in shape. http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fw017
Carolina geranium is a common open-field plant and is preferred winter forage of White-tailed Deer, cattle, and Wild turkeys in the Southeast. The seeds are consumed by Mourning Doves, Northern Bobwhite, songbirds, small mammals and rodents. http:// mastergardener.tamu.edu/galveston/Weeds/pdfs/108-Carolina -Geranium.pdf
ductive hosts for the two spotted spider mite and the tumid spider mite (the purple-red colored mite), complicating the management of these mites. http://strawberry.ifas.ufl.edu/ BerryTimes/2002/BVTFeb02.pdf It is best to control this biennial broadleaf weed in spring or fall, if actively growing at these times. Two, three, and four way broadleaf herbicides control Carolina geranium in the fall or spring. Metsulfuron (Manor, Blade, etc.) and trifloxysulfuron (Monument) also provide control. Many post emergent herbicides such as Roundup, etc. will kill this weed. http:// www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Weeds/ Geranium_Carolina.aspx#
Carolina geranium’s distinctive identifying features are its deeply divided leaves, the “cranesbill� fruit, and its pink to lavender flower color. http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/gerca.htm As Carolina geranium plants grow they become excellent repro-
NATURE TRAIL The nature trail meanders through the woods behind the Extension building, for just short of one quarter mile. Blue markers line the trail spaced every ten yards and are numbered from one on the east end directly behind the garden storage shed to forty one on the west. Orange marking tape on some of the trees were the original trail markers. Approximately 150 Salvia lyrata, lyre leaf sage or meadow sage line either side of the trail. These plants were propagated at the annex nursery in Ft Walton Beach . Lead by Carol Strom, the Girl Scouts have planted a large number of various native plants through the woodlands.
By Bob B. much of the surrounding undergrowth being cleared and planting proceeding swiftly. The following plants have already been installed: Walking Iris, Neomarica spp. Boston Fern., Nephrolepis spp. Cast Iron Plant, Aspidistra elatior Hosta-Plantain Lily, various cultivars Violet, Viola spp.
There are many trees that need to be identified and marked. This Gold Moss Sedum, Sedum sarmentosum task is planned for the fall and winter of 2013. We have been Holly Fern, Cyrtomium falcatum able to identify weeping hawthorne, laurel oak, titi and many tulip trees, all of which require markers. Hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Shooting Star' Three areas are currently being developed, a redbud meadow, a woodland shade garden, and a bog garden. There are seven Cercis canadensis, American redbuds, planted in the meadow and additional companion plants will be installed soon. The bog garden is the latest challenge; thick undergrowth and standing water from recent rains has made progress slow. We will soon be planting 'Gulf Shores' pitcher plants, iris and other available water-tolerant plants.
We will update the status of the nature trail on a bi-monthly basis. Ed. Note: Now that the weather is cooling down, take a stroll along this great addition to our teaching landscapes! In addition to the trail, you also have the planted beds, retention area and the wooded area directly opposite of the Master Gardener office! Folks interested in assisting with the general landscape should contact Marg S. and those wanting to work on the nature trail, contact Bob. B.
The woodland shade garden has seen the greatest progress with 2
IT’S TURKEY TIME!
By Linda M.
It’s turkey time, and most of us remember as a child learning to identify them by tracing outlines of our hands to make Thanksgiving cards. The wild turkey has long been a symbol of America’s early history. When North America was first discovered, there were large numbers of turkey, but they almost disappeared form the landscape in the early 20th Century, as a result of decades of overhunting and loss of habitat. Some estimate the nation’s entire turkey population was down to 30,000 by the 1930s. But the turkey began to make a comeback in mid-century. Today turkey populations are higher than in previous Florida history because of restocking and land management efforts of state wildlife agencies such as our FWC, private land owners and the strong support of members of the National Wild Turkey Federation. According to the NWTF, there are an estimated 6.4 million turkeys in the country today. State officials believe there are around 100,000 wild turkeys now living in Florida.
800 acres. If you consistently see them in an area, it is good wild turkey habitat. Habitat needs vary with the seasons as wild turkeys have different requirements during their life cycle. During the nesting season, March through May, marginal areas along woodlands, old fields and unmowed pastures and brush are important. Tall, mature trees are beneficial for they provide an escape from predators that can attack the turkeys on the ground. Turkeys also need water daily and must have easy access to a pond or wetland. Nesting time is difficult for turkeys. It takes 12 to 13 days to lay a nest full of eggs, 10 for the average clutch. Hens are on the nest 25 to 28 days while they incubate the eggs. The young turkeys that hatch, called poults, roost on the ground for about two weeks. At this time they are vulnerable to predators such as raccoons, skunks, foxes opossums and dogs. The reintroduction of wild turkeys is an amazing success story of an incredible comeback. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hopes that ongoing studies will continue to help state wildlife officials judge the effectiveness of their policies for managing turkey habitat and help them continue to set appropriate limits on turkey hunting. Sources: “Not As Dumb As You Think: Wild Turkeys A Tough Catch For UF Researchers,” Tim Lockette
The eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) and the Florida wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo Osceola) are found UF School of Forest Resources & Conservation throughout our state. While domestic turkeys are considered the dunces of the feathered world, their wild cousins are notoriously Eleanor Foerste, Natural Resources Agent, Osceola County Exwily. These cautious large birds are also both excellent swimmers tension and fliers. They prefer a mix of mature hardwood or pine forest with open areas like grasslands, pastures, or fields. Wild turkeys will also nest in pine flatwoods with dense saw palmetto understory. Winter flocks of 20 or more birds may stay in a 50 acre home range, but break up into smaller flocks during breeding season and cover a range of several miles. The smaller breeding groups break in march and the range of a wild turkey gobbler may then span an area of about 350 acres. Good quality habitat will support one bird per 30 acres or one flock for about 640 to
JUST FOR FUN
3
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Courtesy Linda M.
Fall has arrived, a favorite time of year in the Panhandle. Not only is it one of the best times of year to garden, there are a lot of wildlife activities we can also enjoy. Birds It始s time to set up winter seed and suet feeders. Cedar waxwings come south for the winter. Their flocks can be seen on cedars, hollies, cherry laurels, privet, and other fruit plants. Look for downy, hairy, red-bellied, and redheaded woodpeckers on suet feeders. Bald eagles begin their nesting season. Look for spectacular aerial courtship displays. Sandhill cranes return in full force from their breeding grounds up north. (Only a small number live here all year round). Many yellow-rumped warblers and palm warblers will be in neighborhoods, natural areas, and yards, and gray catbirds have already arrived, and will be skulking (and catcalling!) in thickets. Kinglets, phoebes, robins, and other northern songbirds have arrived for the winter.
October cereus by waterfall. Courtesy of Dick H.
Mammals Peak of deer rutting in central and north Florida. Bears are on the move and crossing roads. Look for migrating Hoary and Red Bats in North Florida. Hoary is a large bat with frosted fur. Amphibians Ornate chorus frogs begin calling. Fish Spotted sea trout should enter tidal creeks around Thanksgiving. Bass congregate around jetties in south end of Lake George. Source of information: Florida Wildlife Extension
Toad lilies courtesy of Jane M. Viva 500 Celebration Shalimar
Stacey T., Les C., Dmytro S., Marie H., Bill B.,
and Marilyn K.
4
FOOD FOR THOUGHT By Lee V. Japanese Persimmon Preserves 3 cups fruit, cut into small pieces (5-6 Japanese persimmons) 1 cup water 1 package powdered pectin (1 3/4 oz.) 1/2 cup lemon juice, fresh or bottled 4 cups sugar 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/8 tsp. ground dry ginger Dash ground cloves
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO! Pat C. Harriet G. Marie H. Colby K. Lee L. Jim M. Carol M. Mike N.
Measure fruit and water into a large pan. Add pectin, lemon juice and spices. Bring to a full boil for 30 seconds, add sugar and bring to a rolling boil for exactly four minutes, stirring constantly. If the fruit pieces are larger than you like, pulse four times in a food processor. Makes about 4 1/2 pints.
PEANUT BUTTER CHALLENGE! Join Okaloosa County Extension along with University of Florida 127 NW Hollywood Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Note: This location is only available for drop-off of peanut butter Florida Peanut Producers Association to help take a bite out of each Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon through November 15. hunger by participating in a local peanut butter drive. Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce We are competing against other peanut producing counties in the Panhandle for the most jars of peanut butter donated. Partic- 1055 E John Sims Pkwy. in Niceville Open Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Friday 8 a.m. to 12 ipate and help make Okaloosa a winner. noon Bring unopened jars of peanut butter to one of the below dropoff locations now through November 15. All peanut butter collected will be donated to local food pantries during Farm-City Week. Drop-off locations include: Okaloosa County Extension Office 3098 Airport Road in Crestview Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note: This location will be closed November 11 for Veteran’s Day Okaloosa County Farm Bureau Office 921 West James Lee Blvd. (Hwy. 90) in Crestview Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Okaloosa County Extension Annex 5
UPDATED PUBLICATIONS We had a very good response to providing the updated publications available through EDIS. This month: Key to Common Bay Trees of Florida—a 7 page fact sheet that includes a dichotomous key to help in identification as well as a basic description and photos of each species. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr379 Conserving Urban Wildlife in the Face of Climate Change—4 page fact sheet http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw381 Smart irrigation Apps: Urban Turf—easy-to-use mobile tool http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae499 The Green Value of Your Woods: A summary of Ecosystem Services Provided by Forest Stewardship Lands in Florida http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr381 Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training—3 page fact sheet http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi247 Integrated Pest Management in Protected Structures I: Basic Principles and Scouting http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in994 Spotted cucumber beetle—6 page fact sheet http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1008 New Caladium Cultivars—9 page fact sheet http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep481 New Gerbera Daisy Varieties for Large Containers and Flower Gardens http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep482 Eriophyid mite vector of Rose Rosette Disease (RRD) http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in999 Southern Black Widow http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1000
BOOK REVIEW
by Marg S.
Native Trees of the Southeast: An Identification Guide by Katherine Kirkman, Claud L. Brown, and Donald J. Leopold is a must have for your library. This is a comprehensive field guide to 229 native tree species in the southeastern United States. There are over 590 photographs along with detailed descriptions, range maps, and the part I like most, keys to trees in summer and winter conditions. That part alone makes it a handy guide to keep on hand when you are out and about. The book itself is durable in its construction so it won’t fall apart after you cart it around for a while. 6
You’ll definitely want to add this 372 page book to your must have list. You may purchase this volume through the UF/IFAS Bookstore. SP 463 Don’t forget, you UF/IFAS Bookstore has many items, not just books. The holidays are coming and this would be the perfect shopping place for those gardeners on your list....not to mention a stocking stuffer or two for yourself! http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/
Fort Walton Beach Camellia Society’s 50th Annual Camellia Show November 9th 12 noon to 4 pm
General Membership Meeting November 6th @ 10 am
Westwood Retirement Resort 1001 Mar Walt Drive Ft. Walton Beach, FL
Crestview Extension Office 3098 Airport Road Crestview, FL 32539 Combined Meeting and Christmas Party December 4th Shalimar Baptist Church 17th 4th Ave. Shalimar, FL 7
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.
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LAST WORD First off, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support during my father’s recent health crisis. He is home, doing much better and is currently hoping that the doctors allow him to start driving again next week. You may have noticed that this issue is a ‘light’ one. Since we had folks on vacation and others at the recent State Conference, it just made sense to keep things simple. Next month we will be back to normal. Speaking of the Conference, this was the last 3-day conference until 2015. They are going to an alternate schedule so on odd years, we have the 3-day conference and on even years there will be a one-day District educational event. All in all, the conference was another way to pack in 3 days of education time at a very nice location. Here’s to hoping that they keep that hotel on the agenda. One thing that stuck with me was Dr. Jaret Daniels’ presentation on the last day regarding butterfly gardens. I know that is a ‘hot’ topic right now, but he provided a list of basics: provide a mix of flower colors, flower shape, include host plants and adult nectar sources, provide flowers throughout the growing season, create horizontal and vertical diversity, plant in groupings, include native plants, right plant for each location, and learn to ID the butterflies in your yard. The two that struck me most were the idea of horizontal and vertical diversity as well as providing flowers throughout the growing season. Direction and timing. With the direction aspect, we were asked to consider that some butterflies feed at different levels. Lower levels are also necessary for protection during weather events and from predators. Timing included when NOT to have 8
By Marg S. things blooming. You don’t want Monarch sources blooming too late in the season. If those sources are there, Monarchs will reproduce and may not survive when the cold weather hits. Direction and timing. Two very important aspects of dealing with a garden, a client and even life. If you are heading in one direction and it’s not working—don’t be afraid to head in another one! If you’re at a lower level, try higher or off to the side. You never know what may happen when you just shift your perspective and actions just a little bit. Timing is another one. We always tell folks, ‘right plant, right place’ (this applies to people as well) but we have to remember the timing as well. There is a right time to plant certain things and there are right/wrong times to do things in our own lives. Wait to long and we might not complete what we started out to do. And always remember that not everyone ‘feeds’ on the same level. Some are on the lower branches while others are way up high. That’s the area that suits them best and provides the most ‘nutrition’ for growth and accomplishments. Not everyone is on the same schedule either. We should have our lives like a butterfly garden—all levels and proper timing. Soon you’ll see ‘blooms’ like never before and success will be just around the corner. On an ending note, after the trip to the conference—the two fur balls in the homestead FINALLY decided to forgive us for leaving them alone. We had someone checking in daily and taking care of their needs...I was informed that they rarely woke up. On the morning after our arrival home I was greeted by not one, but two hairballs right where we walk....now how is that for timing. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!