Nl september 14

...for discerning weeders WEED OF THE MONTH

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Conference Info Events

2 3-4

Plentiful bugs

5

From Your Gardens

6

Accidental pests

7-8

Wildlife Happenings

8

Updates and info

9

Pretty but Invasive

10

All A-Buzz

10-11

Pagoda Flower

12

Book Review

13

Recipe Round-up

13

Last Word

14

HAVE YOU LOGGED ON TO VMS LATELY? DON’T FORGET TO KEEP YOUR HOURS UP TO DATE!

by L. Morris

Sonchus the flowers are very similar to that of the dandearvenis, lion. The flowers are not single blooms and the perennial flower stalk has sparse leaves. sowthistle..

Often confused with prickly lettuce and other Also sowthistles, perennial sowthistle propagates known as: readily by seed. Control measures begin with creeping frequent monitoring. Seedlings may be removed sow thistle, by hand. However, once the plant is established, milk thistle, corn sow-thistle, sevine-thistle, tree it is almost impossible to remove the entire root. sow-thistle and dindle.

Herbicides such as 2,4-D, clophyraid, dicamba, glyphosate, and picloram must be applied at the This perennial weed shows up in my septic pre-bud or bud stage. Mowing will prevent flowdrain field. This makes sense since it will not er production but seeds from previous blooms thrive in coarse sandy soils and prefers slightly may easily be transported via mowing equipalkaline to neutral, fine-textured, rich soils. The ment. Reapplication of chemical controls will leaf shape resembles a dandelion or chicory but probably be necessary. For more information on it has spines along the leaf margins. this tenacious weed www.unce.unr.edu/ Perennial sowthistle spreads by rhizomes and

publications/files/nr/2003/FS0354.pdf

COORDINATOR’S CORNER Normally, Larry would be writing this column.

However, since he’s been super busy—there will be a stand-in columnist this month. (We’re betting he writes a column way in advance now!)

There is a lot going on. The Home Show is the 13th and 14th. If you haven’t signed up yet, do so. There’s plenty to do. You could assist the presenters, man the booth...plenty of work.

Speaking of work, the Nursery still needs volunteers. We all know the weather has been a tad warm. This means the more folks who show up early on Friday’s...the sooner the work is done.

Office coverage is improving a bit. We still have plenty of openings.

by L. Williams

in October.

More information may be found on page 2!

September 29th is a landscape work day at the Crestview Extension Office. We will be starting the process of re-doing the front beds and the beds in the parking lot. Stay tuned for the announcement!

Fall is coming and so is the fall vegetable gardening program. This is always a well attended event.

We have a few new folks who have contributed to this edition of The Compost Pile! It’s our publication so the more folks who participate the better and more informative it will be.

Don’t forget that the district conference will be

Stand-in columnist signing off.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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September, 2014

We are happy to announce the opening of registration for the 2014 Northwest Extension District Master Gardener Conference in Milton, FL. The preconference tour on Thursday, October 9 will highlight the cooperative efforts of the University of Florida and community organizations to promote butterfly awareness and conservation. The advanced training sessions on Friday, October 10 will offer opportunities for veteran Master Gardeners to build knowledge that will benefit local communities through Extension education. There will be a total of six continuing education credits available for volunteer recertification.

Please find attached the conference details and registration information. We encourage Master Gardeners to register online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-northwest-district-master-gardener -conference-tickets-12808631963. If you are not able to register online, please call Beth Bolles (Escambia County MG Coordinator) at 850-475-5230 or Mary Derrick (Santa Rosa County MG Coordinator) at 850-623-3868 for registration assistance.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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September, 2014

You can find even more events by going to the member web site: www.ocmgamembers.org and click on the calendar page. Events throughout the Panhandle are listed. Simply click on the event and you’ll see all the pertinent information!

Emerald Coast Home Show September 13th and 14th Emerald Coast Convention Center http://www.emeraldcoasthomeshow.com/

FLORIDA’S CERTIFIED PILE BURNER PROGRAM http://www.flawildflowers.org/events/2014 -wildflower-symposium.html

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 OKALOOSA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE 3098 AIRPORT ROAD CRESTVIEW, FL 8AM TO 4:30PM REGISTRATION REQUIRED! FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT JENIFER BEARDEN AT bearden@ufl.edu or 850-689-5850 http://okaloosa.ifas.ufl.edu/ag/2014/08/15/certified-pile-burner-class/

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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September, 2014

FALL INTO VEGETABLE GARDENING September 9th, 16th and 23rd 6pm to 7:30pm Okaloosa County Extension Office 3098 Airport Road Registration is required!

Call 850-689-5850 $30 per person or $45 per couple

Click on the images to open up a link to the specific event page.

Tri-County Horticulture Studies Group Meetings and Activities for 2014 Meetings 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, lunch optional

http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/art_garden/index.shtml

“Mondays in the Garden” September 15th Room 4902 PSC Milton Campus 10am Gingers

September 18 Coordinator: Joyce Waters-Smith Location: Grace Lutheran Church, 4325 Commons Drive, Destin (fellowship hall) Speaker: Karen Kirk Williams, Master Gardener, Rose Grower, “Planting Roses in Fall” Activity: Visit Laura Hall’s Garden (address announced at meeting) Lunch: 790 on the Gulf (2996 Scenic HWY 98, Destin850-650-4853) Located in the Inn at Crystal Beach October 16 Coordinator: Lynda Penry Location: McMahon Environmental Center on Butler Circle, Crestview Speaker: Maria Wilson, Okaloosa County Forester, “Trees” – those on site Activity: Travel to Holt to visit Oliver’s Nursery (4550 Kelly Mill Rd, Holt) Lunch: Picnic. Bring a sack lunch and drink. Tables available at nursery.

November 20 Coordinators: Brenda Jordon and Marie Harrison Location: Emerald Coast Nursery Speaker: Designer for Leslie Odom, Owner of Nursery, “Designs for Christmas” Activity: On site. Emerald Coast Nursery is a great place to shop.

Lunch: Ruby Tuesdays, Niceville

General Membership Meeting September 24th 9am Shalimar Baptist Church An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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September, 2014

A WORLD WITH PLENTIFUL BUGS IS A GOOD THING!

by M. Harrison Well documented is the fact that the number of pollinators is diminishing worldwide. We know of the plight of the honeybee and the greatly diminished populations of butterflies and other pollinators. Also stated again and again and beginning to be understood by concerned people is the fact that our food supply is directly related to pollinator activity, and that pollinator activity depends greatly on the availability of diverse plants that support them.

In spite of these potentially dire circumstances, all is not lost.

Man has within his capability the power to reverse the trend and to restore at least some of the diversity that once existed on our planet. Our power derives from choices we make. Very specifically, we can create a garden to attract pollinators, such as butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and others. It is known that a garden that attracts pollinators also attracts other creatures. The presence of a variety of insects is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem.

We as intelligent humans, know that we must eat in order to survive. Have we extended this obvious fact to include all the other creatures that share our planet? They, too, must have sustenance. Plants are the lifeblood of all living creatures, as they provide not only the air we breathe, but also either directly or indirectly, the food we eat. Plants alone have the ability to use the sun’s energy, and through the process of photosynthesis, turn that energy into food.

Listed below are several things we can do to aid the pollinators and increase biodiversity.



Help control the spread of invasive species by refusing to plant them in our gardens and by removing any that already exist.



Join community work groups to remove invasive plants from natural areas.

Herbivorous insects play a very important role in the food chain.  They eat plants and convert the plant tissues to insect tissues which provide food for even more species. Terrestrial birds, for example, depend on insects to feed their young. Bird populations  of any given area have a direct relationship to the insect population. If we want to share our space with birds, we must provide food and habitat for the insects they eat. If we want to see butter flies, we must grow plants that feed their caterpillars as well as supply nectar for the adults.

The overriding message is that by providing a diverse ecosystem, we support the insects which in turn support us. We realize more and more that not just any plant will work. Some plants will not feed insects, while others do the job quite well. The plants that are not working in our ecosystems are by and large not native to our region. Native insects have not learned to eat most alien plants. Even though some alien plants may provide some food, scientists report that insects almost always choose a native plant over an alien species when given a choice (Tellamy, 2007). We all have heard the horror stories about alien species that proliferate at alarming rates and form dense monocultures. In such cases, insect populations decline because the alien has out-competed the native plants that fed the insects for millennia.

Man as a species has done much to diminish biodiversity. We have cut down forests, drained wetlands, and plowed under prairies. In their places we have built cities, highways, buildings, shopping malls, and factories. In short, man has decimated much of the habitat that once supported a diverse array of insects, and consequently, a vast number of other species that once populated these areas. Our country will never have any more land than it presently has, and portions of it that can support insects and other life forms are disappearing at an alarming rate.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

Provide insects and pollinators with nutrition and resources for raising their young.

Integrate native plants into our gardens, no matter the garden’s size.

Talk to neighbors and show by example just how beautiful a garden filled with native plants can be and how much the wildlife that is attracted to it can enrich our lives.

Some knowledge is required to put these plans into action. Many people do not know a native plant from an exotic invasive plant.

Some of their most treasured plants provide nothing to the ecosystem at large. As a matter of fact, gardeners often seek out plants for their gardens that are pest free. They want no bug, no butterfly – nothing to chew on the leaves of the plants in their gardens. If they see a bug or caterpillar, they run for the insecticide.

Some of our eyes have been opened, and we are becoming more and more aware of the intricate processes that connect all life forms. The future of our biodiversity is dim unless we learn to share our earth with the plants and creatures that evolved here.

There is much to learn, but it is never too late to start. Your choices can make a difference.

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September, 2014

FROM YOUR GARDENS It’s so nice when we get photos from our members of their gardens and of the sometimes unique finds they come across!

Native hibiscus. Photo courtesy of L. Penry

Mother dove with her young. Photo courtesy of D. Hickenbotham

Hostas. Photo courtesy of L. Penry Pine lily. Photo courtesy of D. Hickenbotham

The Jokester

Change is inevitable.....except from a vending machine.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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September, 2014

ACCIDENTAL PESTS As we fight the never-ending battle against undesirable insects and plant diseases, did you ever wonder where they all come from? I posed this question to the internet and here's one response: "If you build it (or plant it) they will come... I think it happened when Eve ate the Apple?? " Well, maybe. Other likely explanations are that they come in under their own steam (flying, creeping, crawling, hitching a ride on birds or other critters, and other modes of movement), or the wind and weather bring them in. What you may not have considered is the possibility that you might inadvertently be bringing insects and plant diseases into your own garden! We can do little about insect migrations or the weather but you may be surprised that some of your normal activities could be responsible for spreading insects and diseases and some of them are quite serious. Here are just a few things to consider: Firewood: If you have a wood-burning fireplace and you are not careful about where your firewood comes from, you may well be accidentally helping to spread some devastating tree diseases, such as laurel wilt, sudden oak death, beech bark disease, sudden oak death, and oak wilt. Firewood can also transport many invasive insects such as the emerald ash borer, sirex wood wasp, Asian longhorned beetle, and the gypsy moth. The regulation governing the movement of commercial shipments of firewood is this: Florida regulates the entry of out-of-state firewood and other wood products into the state under its plant protection laws and rules. All types of out-of-state firewood are prohibited via this regulation- hardwood, softwood, seasoned and green- unless the firewood is accompanied by a permit issued by the state plant protection organization at origin. There are also limited exemptions for sources of firewood within 50 miles of the Florida state border and for commercial businesses with a valid permit. Florida also regulates the movement of firewood and other wood products within the State. Most of the Florida State Parks prohibit gathering firewood on site and encourage the purchase of local firewood for camping. Within the state of Florida, multiple state authorities highly encourage both residents and visitors to use local sources of firewood (within 50 miles of where it will be transported and used) to prevent the movement of pests. (http://tinyurl.com/nanz6m4) Know where your firewood comes from! If it's not local (within 50 miles) then be sure the distributor has complied with the law as stated. You can read the regulation in detail here: http://tinyurl.com/oo5gsbu If you are a camper and use firewood while camping, you are asked to follow these guidelines to help curb the spread of insects and disease: 1. Leave firewood at home and purchase aged firewood near your campsite location. Many parks offer firewood for sale at a reasonable price or private sellers will have it available just outside the park.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

by K. Harper 2. Firewood purchased at or near your destination should be used during your camping vacation. Don’t leave any unused wood behind and don’t take it with you to another destination.

3. If you can't burn your wood, donate it to a fellow camper.

4. When buying firewood, make sure you receive pieces that are dry and have either little bark or bark that is loose (a sign that the wood is very dry). Not only will this reduce the threat of spreading diseases, your fire will be easier to start.

5. Reduce your need for an open fire by cooking over gas or charcoal when possible.

More details are available here: http://tinyurl.com/oqwq55k and here is a video on this subject: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Wt5sKDRd6XI Christmas Trees and Greenery: You've probably guessed by now that the same authorities who are trying to prevent the spread of disease and insects via firewood would also by necessity have to be Grinches when it comes to fresh-cut Christmas trees. Yes, those lovely trees from other states can be sources of the gypsy moth, the sirex woodwasp and the pine shoot beetle.

You are encouraged to buy your Christmas trees locally. Because we have used an artificial tree for many years, I had no idea there were cut-your-own Christmas tree farms in Florida but there are indeed and some of them would be considered local:.

Here is a list for Florida: http:// www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/FLxmastrees.php And here is another Christmas tree farm close by in Milton: http:// www.floridachristmastree.com/ In addition to cutting your own Christmas tree, you are urged to buy wreaths and other greenery locally from established businesses and not from roadside vendors. If you order wreaths online be sure you order from a recognized vendor–not from an unknown person on sites like eBay or Craigslist that may not be in compliance with important quarantines or regulations. (continued on page 8

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September, 2014

ACCIDENTAL Plant material, seeds, soils: Always inspect plants before bringing them into your garden. Here's a photo that should give you pause. It was taken by a North Carolina extension agent at her local plant nursery: http://twitpic.com/1wsuu0 Most of us would recognize that as a sick plant that should be destroyed but it would also make me wonder about the other stock in a nursery that didn't care enough to remove such an obviously diseased plant from its display shelves. I'd also encourage you to resist the marked-down reject plants that you see at some of our local plant nurseries. I've fallen for those once in awhile and have been afflicted with nothing more disastrous than a dead plant within a couple of weeks. But it's worth remembering that plants that haven't been properly cared for at the nursery are very likely to be stressed and therefore susceptible to disease and insect infestations and you don't want to introduce either into your own landscape. Make a donation to charity if you feel the need to rescue something. :) And while most of us know better than to attempt to smuggle such things as citrus trees into Florida, sometimes the temptation is great while traveling to bring home a plant that catches your eye. Don't. But if you must, follow the guidelines at this website. Page 2 includes instructions for obtaining a plant import permit from the USDA: http:// tinyurl.com/q7b3ewd I've purchased plants and seeds on eBay several times and while most of them arrived with USDA plant inspection stickers on the packaging, I can't honestly say if they all have, so I've discontinued that practice.

Cont’d.

And speaking of sod, I installed four pallets of St. Augustine sod in my yard during July and one of the pallets contained a brown recluse spider. Fortunately I recognized it immediately, destroyed it, and then took care to wear gloves during the rest of that project. As far as I could determine, it was one of a kind and almost certainly hitched a ride in from the sod farm which is located in the western panhandle. That incident sure kept me on my toes for a day or two, inspecting every spider I saw verrrry carefully.

The point is, we must be vigilant at all times to avoid accidentally spreading harmful insects and plant diseases both inter- and intrastate. Yes, there are comprehensive regulations in place to help protect Florida but manpower to enforce the regulations in many cases is limited. That means it's up to us to voluntarily comply with the laws and, as master gardeners, to help educate the public about them. Do what is within your ability to be part of the solution, not the problem.

Finally, in an article about accidentally importing pests into your home and garden, I would be remiss if I didn't mention some of the more infamous incidents that have occurred. These all involve snakes and, this is not to pick on Wal-Mart exclusively, but there have been some fairly well-publicized incidents there of snakes in the garden centers and/or in the bottled water displays: http://tinyurl.com/m6kjdbf http://tinyurl.com/m7p5fo8 And in the potato bin: http://tinyurl.com/o6lhlsb You really Sod and soils can be a source of noxious (and obnoxious!) weeds have to love the store clerk who offered to refund her money for the potatoes if she 'had a valid receipt.' To me, the snake would such as nutsedge that, once introduced into your yard can be very difficult to eradicate. This article from the Clemson Cooper- have been sufficient proof that she really should get her money back. :) ative Extension describes some ways that nutsedge sneaks in to our yards and how to combat it if it does: http://tinyurl.com/ kj6lmlt

WILDLIFE HAPPENINGS September is the month that brings the beginning of Fall. Here are some interesting things to be on the look out for.

Birds: *Get feeders ready for returning birds. *Bald eagles return to nest sites and begin courtship.

Mammals: *Gray bats migrate to Alabama caves for winter hibernation. *Manatees start to concentrate in rivers, bays, and near power plants.

courtesy of www.wec.ufl.edu/extension Apalachicola Rivers to the Gulf of Mexico.

Invertebrates *Blue crabs migrate from the shallow coast to deeper water for the winter. Blue crab “jubilee” also begins along panhandle beaches.

Amphibians: *Start listening for Spadefoot toads after heavy rains.

Fish: *Atlantic sturgeon begin fall migration from the Suwannee and An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

A cartoonist was found dead in is home. Details are sketchy.

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September, 2014

UPDATES AND INFO

by Editorial Staff

A reminder to check out the Master Gardener program on Crestview Television! More programs should be getting done very soon! http://www.cvctv.info/channel.cfm?category=The% 20Master%20Gardener&id=4430

There are new recommendations for how you process your canning lids. http://livinghomegrown.com/2014/08/changes-incanning-lid-procedures.html September is preparedness month! Check out the Extension Disaster Education Network http://eden.lsu.edu/Pages/default.aspx

UPDATED PUBLICATIONS

5-page fact sheet on the Convergent Lady Beetle, Hippodamia If you want to attract more birds to your yard/landscape, you convergens. It is one of the few natural enemies that are current- might consider different kinds of bird feeders. Find out more at ly wild-collected from mass aggregations for distribution to the http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw192 pest control industry. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1037 We all know the importance of dental hygiene. Tell the truth, when was the last time you gave any thought to cleaning your 4-page fact sheet on the management of powdery mildew in toothbrush? http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hot_topics/ beans. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp311 families_and_consumers/clean_toothbrushes.html 7-page fact sheet on Bagrada Bug, Painted Bug, Bagrada Hilaris. These have been detected on plant material in trucks trav- Other than most of us have no idea how to pronounce Quinoa, this nutritious seed may be used many ways. http:// eling across state borders. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1041 edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FY/FY140800.pdf (by the way, it is Purslane seeds can persist in the soil for up to 15 years. Vegeta- pronounced KEEN-wah) tive shoot fragments can survive on the soil surface for extended Lots of folks are preferring to remove as many chemicals from periods. This 4-page fact sheet covers the biology and managetheir lives as possible. Check out natural products for pest manment of common purslane in fruiting vegetables, cucurbits, and agement here http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in197 strawberries.. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1238 In honor of National Preparedness month, download the Homeowners handbook to prepare for natural hazards here http:// solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/pdf/ FL_homeowners_handbook.pdf

There’s a new pest in town. The Bermudagrass stem maggot.

Bermudagrass is a dominant hay crop in Florida. 2-page fact sheet. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag384

*A new master gardener update—Predictive and Diagnostic Nutrient testing. http://mediasite.video.ufl.edu/Mediasite/ Play/914f38ca8c3b42d2b70cda471f447ae61d? catalog=3b6fbad9-5764-4ada-b51f-ee04b1a0bfa1

Do you know how to properly dispose of pesticide waste? Do the homeowners you are in contact with know? Print out this handy 9-page guide to proper pesticide waste disposal http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/PI/PI01000.pdf If you haven’t checked out the new and improved UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions site, you really should. Packed with informational videos, plants, lawns, design and so much more! http:// gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/

INTERESTING ‘STUFF’ Did you know there is a honey bee research and extension lab? http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/honeybee/

Perennial peanut....as far back as 2002 there were news stories about utilizing this plant as a substitute for lawns. Perhaps now is the time to check out more ways to utilize this versatile plant http://youtu.be/3_IvNDpzaMw

Do you save seeds? Tired of using zip lock bags? This handy link has a downloadable .pdf that you can print out as many times as you want. Cut out, fold and tape! Great seed packets that you’ll love using! http://thepapermama.com/2013/09/seed-saverpacket-printable Fall begins this month!

September 23rd is the ‘official’ start of fall.

Honest, cooler weather will get here....eventually.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

A vulture carrying two dead raccoons boards an airplane.

The flight attendant looks at him and says, “I'm sorry sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.”

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September, 2014

PRETTY BUT INVASIVE

by D. Stever

Mexican-petunia (also known as Mexican bluebell or Britton's petunia) is described as a "hardy perennial edging plant for flower beds and as colorful groundcovers." Scientific names include Ruellia brittoniana, R. coerulea and R. tweediana. It quickly became one of my favorite, as well as lots of other folk’s, landscape plant. As almost always seems to be the case with Florida plants the Devil is in the details. It was introduced to Florida in the 1940s. Since then it has naturalized in most counties in Florida, plus in six other southern states, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Mexican petunias are able to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, but prefer wet or marshy soils, such as moist woodlands or the edges of ponds and lakes. They can withstand drought and even full sun in drier soils.

The plant’s showy flowers are short-lived, but they open over a long period of time, beginning in early spring and continuing until frost. The shrubs grow one to four feet high and about the same in width. The wonderful “Blue” color is what is most appealing to us for our flower gardens.

There are tall cultivars of Mexican-petunia ("Purple Showers," pink-flowered "Chi Chi," and white-flowered "Snow White") as well as dwarf cultivars ("Katies") in the three flower colors. All these cultivars, with the exception of "Purple Showers" are fertile and potentially invasive. In 2012 and 2013 three new sterile cultivars developed at UF were released: "Mayan Purple," "Mayan White," and "Mayan Pink."

Native alternatives to Mexican-petunia for use in home land-

scaping include wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis), blue curls (Trichostema dichotomum), butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), or swamp milkweed (Asclepias perennis). http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/ node/380 As mentioned ‘Katie’ is another possible option. It is a less aggressive, dwarf Ruellia that’s been named a Texas Superstar by Texas A&M University, thanks to its beautiful blooms and ease of care. ‘Katie’ grows about 6 inches high and is available with purple, pink or white blooms. But it is fertile and propagates by seed, so researchers from the University of Florida and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Services at the University of Florida do not recommend its use. http:// www.hgtvgardens.com/flowers-and-plants/growing-mexicanpetunias#sthash.Z3iIMgYq.dpuf Mexican petunia is listed as a Category I invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. This means that it is "altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives". This warning applies to all parts of the state of Florida. Where hardy, the Mexican petunia excels at invading wetlands. http://www.floridata.com/ref/R/ruellia.cfm

ALL A-BUZZ Hello friends! Most of you know of my passion for pollinators, with honeybees at the top of my list! In articles for The Compost Pile, I hope to increase your knowledge of honeybees and beekeeping practices, and also to relay humorous stories of beekeeping experiences and growth since embarking on this road five years ago. To begin, I will go back a little further into the past and relay my first introduction to our beloved insect, Apis Mellifera…..

During the summer of my 13th year, I was visiting with my great grandparents in Mountain City, Tennessee. I had always been intrigued by those little white boxes on the hill behind the house and how my great grandparents were able to “rob” those little boxes of the sweetest honey and honeycomb I had ever tasted.

One day my great grandfather needed an “assistant” to work the hives. I was eager to volunteer and was told not to worry in that all I had to do was “smoke” the hives as he worked them. Little did I know what I was getting into! My great grandfather told An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

by P. Garrett me to go put some baggy clothes on and that he would have my veil to protect my eyes and face when I arrived in the bee yard.

The only pants I had with me were skintight jeans and it wasn’t long before I discovered this was NOT the best attire. When I emerged from the house, my great grandfather said “I wouldn’t wear those pants if I were you”, but I pretty much decided it was better to look good when working the hives, than to feel good, plus what choice did I have? My grandfather said ok, but you’ll be sorry. He handed me a homemade “veil” that was an old man’s felt hat fashioned with toile and drawstring to keep the bees away from my eyes/face. One does not want to get stung in the eye he told me as bee venom could blind a person. Ok, eyebrows raised a bit….but I couldn’t back out now. He handed me the “smoker” which was a bellows type apparatus that blew smoke on the bees to “calm” them. What about me? Would the smoke calm me too? I was getting more nervous by the minute.

He said something about the smoke making the bees think their house is on fire and they would be less aggressive. I thought if my house were on fire, I’d be MORE aggressive! Now I know the smoke helps to “block” the “alarm pheromone” and prevents the bees from communicating as well, so less threat is perceived. All cont’d on page 11 10

September, 2014

BUZZ

cont’d.

of a sudden I felt a pain on one leg, then on the other, and more and more sharp sensations when I looked down and saw bees clinging to my tight jeans. I think I hobbled away that day with more than a dozen stings in my legs and as we left the bee yard, saw the smile on my great grandfather’s face.

bees). (Incidentally, there have been NO Africanized bees found in Florida North of Gainesville). The price of inspection is very reasonable and must be renewed annually. One can own 1-5 hives and only pay $10 a year. 6-10 hives cost $20 a year etc.

One can obtain all necessary information from the web site: www.freshfromflorida.com

Five years ago my husband, right out of the blue, said “let’s keep bees”. I had PTSD flashbacks on the fateful summer day when I was 13 and my grandfather saying “you’ll be sorry”….I looked at my husband, mouth gaping wide and paused….despite the “challenging” experience with my great grandfather, I said “yes, let’s do it, why not”? I then asked him why he wanted to do it, and he said “it will be fun, and besides, the bees need us backyard beekeepers”. He had just read an article on CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder), and the plight of the honeybee. I read the article and was full on board afterwards.

We began our journey by seeing an ad for UF’s Bee College held in Marineland, Florida and in March 2010, after the weekend course, we became official “graduates” from Bee College. At Bee College, we were given the phone # to call to have an inspector visit our home after our bee yard was up and running. Inspector D. Corbin came with clipboard and forms in hand, and spent about 3 hours here that day. He took a sample of about 50 bees from one hive and drowned them in alcohol (that was very hard for me to watch), so they could be sent to the lab at UF in Gainesville to rule out Africanized honey bees (the only way to tell for sure is by genetic testing and measurements of the leg – it is impossible for the average person to differentiate and it must be done in the lab).

Also, there are bee clubs in most every county in Florida. Our organization here is called “Tri-County Beekeeper’s Association” for Okaloosa, Walton & Santa Rosa Counties. We have over 30 members and we meet the last Tues. of every month at our County Extension office on Airport Road from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

The club is full of knowledgeable members that love to mentor!

As most of you know, beekeepers in our MG organization are myself, S. Taylor, V. Grund & L. Buhrow. L. Krebs (she transferred to the Walton County Master Gardeners), is also a new beekeeper and just had her first honey harvest!

Our state organization, The Florida State Beekeepers Association, (http://floridabeekeepers.org) sponsors events around the state, including a formal fall convention, and an electronic newsletter.

With the advent of honeybee decline, there has been a growing concern and resulting increase in beekeepers in the state of Florida. Currently, Florida has approximately 2,500 small-scale beekeepers, managing five or less colonies, and 300 full-time/side liner commercial beekeepers.

I don’t want to forget local teleconferences/courses offered by our Extension Office here. They too, have been amazingly inIt is the law that beekeepers register their hives. Additionally, no formative and helpful. Watch out for future events! colonies may be sold or purchased without a health certificate Bee trivia: During a honeybee’s lifetime, she makes 1/12 of a issued by the Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of teaspoon of honey…she (all worker bees and foragers are feAgriculture and Consumer Services. They monitor the entire male), literally flies her wings off…. (two million flowers must be apiary inspection program: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/ tapped to make one pound of honey!!) Bless the bees……!! plantinsp/apiary/apiary.html (If you have a bee yard, then you have an apiary). There are approximately 80 registered beeNext article, we will begin with bee biology basics and more! keepers in Okaloosa County, yet we know many more hives exist.

Sources: The Florida State Beekeepers Association and Hive inspection is critical to detect for diseases and Africanized www.freshfromflorida.com

DON’T FORGET! We now have a full calendar on our member web-site! Click on the event and any additional information will be posted for that event. This calendar is updated constantly so check back often. www.ocmgamembers.org/Calendar.html

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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September, 2014

PAGODA FLOWER

by L. Vanderpool

During recent classes at the Extension Agency office building in Santa Rosa County, I noticed a very attractive and large flowering plant in the landscape. It was in full flower and was a striking plant with huge leaves and a very large apical panicle of orangered flowers. The below information about the plant has been copied from Floridata for you. Find the information at: http:// www.floridata.com/ref/c/cler_pan.cfm If you have a chance to acquire one of these plants, it could add a very attractive accent point to your garden.

ly during winter.

Culture: Pagoda flower is a fast growing, but short lived shrub.

It does best in a rich, slightly moisture retentive soil. Fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.

Features: Glory bower (Clerodendrum splendens), bleeding heart (C. thomsoniae), and the roadside weed, tubeflower (C. indicum), are also members of this tropical genus which has more than 400 species represented in Africa, the Pacific islands and southern Asia. Sometimes you see the genus misspelled as Clerodendron.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 8 11. Pagoda flower is a returning perennial in zones 8B and 9. It can be expected to sprout back in spring Family: Verbenaceae (verbena or vervain Family) after dying to the ground in winter. Very severe winters may reduce the amount of Description: Pagoda flower is an erect, open semi-woody shrub flowering. Plant it near a south facing wall for added protection with large evergreen leaves and huge showy clusters of orangefrom cold winters. In frost free areas pagoda flower is a short red or scarlet flowers held above the foliage. The bush sometimes lived, evergreen shrub. has multiple stems and gets three to five feet tall, spreading two to three feet across. The leaves have heart shaped bases; lower Propagation: Pagoda flower in cultivation often fails to proleaves are lobed and upper leaves entire. The handsome, tropical duce fruit and seeds. The suckers that arise around the base of looking leaves can be as large as 12 inches across. They are arthe plant can be removed and replanted during fall or spring. ranged in opposite pairs along the fast growing stems which ofRoot cuttings can be taken in winter. Semi-ripe stem cuttings ten branch from the roots rather than from a single trunk. The taken in summer can be rooted with bottom heat. flowers are funnel shaped with long tubes. Although the individUsage: Pagoda flower is often grown in a mixed border or as a ual flowers are only about one half inch long, they are arranged specimen along a wall, even under an overhanging roof. This in massive terminal panicles up to one foot or more in height. long blooming perennial is a classic old favorite, grown in city The flowers within the pyramid shaped cluster are tiered, like a Japanese pagoda. The showy display lasts from summer through parks and cottage gardens throughout the Deep South. In frost free areas it may produce flowers for most of the year. With its autumn with additional sporadic flowering throughout the year lush tropical foliage, however, it is as beautiful in leaf as it is in in frost free climates. flower. Pagoda flower may produce numerous suckers and Location: Pagoda flower is native to India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia spread itself around the garden, but it is not really invasive, and and much of southeastern Asia. It is widely cultivated in tropical rarely becomes a nuisance (it is a big plant that requires a large gardens throughout the world. space!)

Light: Full sun is best, but pagoda flower will tolerate partial shade.

Moisture: Water freely during the growing season, but sparing-

DON’T FORGET! We are always on the lookout for neat links, updated information, and ideas for future articles.

Many happy returns to: C. Baker, J. Gillis, and G. Speir

We also look forward to your pictures!

Recipes and anything else welcome!

Please submit your items before the 24th of each month.

Pictures should be in a jpeg format.

If you copy something, be sure to provide the source!

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

12

September, 2014

BOOK REVIEW

by M. Stewart

This month, I am reviewing two magazines instead of a book. I saw an advertisement for Heirloom Gardener and figured it was worth a shot. $15 for the year (4 issues) seemed a bit steep but since I am growing more and more heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers...figured the more information I could get the better. The magazine itself is well put together. There are not a lot of ads to deal with (my pet peeve) and the illustrations/photographs are really well done.

The articles, overall were well written. I noticed that some were a bit light on the meaty information...but overall, they got the point across. I especially enjoyed the article on David Landreth (seeds) and on Jardin Ouvriers. These two articles were detailed and very enjoyable to read.

Now, on the con side. This publication is definitely anti-GMO. Be prepared to deal with a section called Frankenfood News— Headlines from the World of Scary Food. Regardless of how you feel about the topic, I have noticed quite a few magazines out there who are jumping on the non-GMO bandwagon. It’s only two pages and easy to skip should you desire. All in all, it appears to be a fairly good publication. This was my first issue so I’m reserving judgment until I see at least two more. For more information go to www.heirloomgardener.com

The other magazine is From Scratch. This is a free publication, simply sign up and have it delivered to your inbox. I can honestly say that I’m hooked and hope sincerely that they don’t change. The photography is fantastic and even though there are articles I can’t use...#1 it’s free and #2 who doesn’t like seeing pictures of cute goats and chickens?

There is a lot of gardening information as well as DIY projects that actual folks like me and you could do! One issue had an article on growing plants for their dying properties. Soap making, fermenting....loads of interesting topics. You have to admit that the price is definitely right....FREE. To sign up for your free issues go to www.fromscratchmag.com Are there magazines that you get and just couldn’t do without?

Let us know!

RECIPE ROUND-UP This recipe is courtesy of The Maples in Bar Harbor, Maine. This B&B is known for its fantastic breakfasts. Their stuffed French toast recipe was also featured in Gourmet magazine!

Ingredients: 12 slices of thick bread, sliced and cubed (I used Challah) 2—8 ounce packages of cream cheese, cubed 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries (okay, it’s not quite the same without Maine blueberries but it was darned tasty using Florida ones!)

10 eggs 1/3 cup maple syrup 2 cups milk

tic wrap and cover with the baking dish with foil. Bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes or until puffed and golden. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before slicing.

For a totally decadent finish make a blueberry sauce. While the French toast is baking, combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons corn starch and 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries. Cook over medium heat until sauce thickens and blueberries have softened. Remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon butter Spray or grease the bottom of a 9x13” baking dish. Place half of and an additional cup the cubed bread in the pan. Spread the cream cheese cubes over of fresh or frozen top and then distribute the blueberries. Finish by covering with (thawed) blueberries. remaining bread.

Pour the sauce over In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, maple syrup and milk. Pour the individual pieces and egg mixture over the bread. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and serve warm. refrigerate overnight (12 hours).

The following day, pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Remove the plasAn Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

13

September, 2014

M. Stewart —Editor S. Farrell , K. Harper and S. Berry—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, for one, am open to wisdom and insight regardless of the source.

In this case, a pirate movie. Think about it, “The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.” Whoa.......

I came across this immediately after trying a new recipe for a cinnamon bun/cake. It was a tedious recipe with lots of ingredients. I was determined that we would have this luscious confection available for dessert. All appeared well until the time of the unveiling. Let’s just say that the result was the culinary equivalent of the Hindenburg. The only saving grace was that for a disaster, it smelled awfully good.

Trust me, I was not a happy camper.

What did I do wrong?

Enter in the inspiration (even pirates have some redeeming qualities). Perhaps, I hadn’t done anything wrong, per se. It could have been the recipe or any number of things that contributed.

The fact was, why get upset over it?

Okay, so it didn’t work—there are many other recipes in the world and my oven isn’t going on strike any time soon.

If you really think about it, how many times do we create more of a problem BECAUSE of our attitude about it?

Sure, problems are going to pop up all the time...but I think it’s HOW we actually feel about the problem that makes the difference.

Your garden could be invaded by chamber bitter (whose isn’t???). You could bemoan the fates, gnash your teeth and rend your garments...OR you could just get out there and deal with the little green demons. Adding in ma-

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

14

By M. Stewart niacal laughter as you yank and/or spray helps immensely.

The lack of rain in my neck of the woods is putting my new-found philosophy to the test. Especially since I just got my water bill. Yuck! Now, my lawn is pitiful but at least it’s green...ish.

However, I dislike heartily a hefty water bill. So, I can either run around in sack-cloth and be the water police in my house (neither of which has appeal....no one looks good in sack cloth— it itches) OR I can take a good hard look at the landscape while it’s stressed.

What is working? What isn’t? Can certain plants be replaced with something else that will tolerate these conditions?

Are there areas that can be converted?

Can I kill more lawn and not incur the wrath of the HOA? The funny thing was, I didn’t feel as frustrated when I started looking at alternatives and had a positive reaction to the problem of the water usage. It seemed that my brain functioned better and I wasn’t clouded over by THE PROBLEM. Take that self-help books! The secret isn’t in dealing with the problem...it’s in HOW you deal with it! Keeping the solutions (or at least the possibilities) in the forefront actually makes the problem take a back seat. Sure, it’s still there and you have to deal with it, but keeping the solutions first means that your focus and energy are on positive things and not the negative ones.

So the next time you’re faced with a problem, stop for a minute and think about your attitude. Are you allowing the problem to overwhelm you? Is the problem taking up so much of your time and energy that you can’t think of solutions? Turn the tables on it! You’ll be glad you did.

Until next time, see you under the sprinklers!

September, 2014