SUMMER IS TIME FOR A GOOD BOOK!
for discerning weeders
Events…..pg 3 Nature trail…..pg 5 Book review…..pg 7 And much, much, more!
The Foundation for the Gator Nation..... An equal opportunity institution.
August, 2016
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE This time of year we all think about the heat. I learned some things I did not know from researching Solutions For Your Life: Outdoor work—mowing a lawn, painting a driveway, or tilling a garden—is always exhausting, especially when the sun is glaring against you and temperatures are creeping above 90°F. When working outside in the heat, we sweat to cool down, but in turn, we lose water.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Since every cell in our body needs water to function, remaining hydrated is essential to staying healthy and cool. Heat-Related Illnesses Dehydration Dehydration happens when you lose too much water because of sweat. If you feel thirsty or have a dry mouth, then you may be dehydrated. For every hour you work in the heat, drink at least two cups of water or a sports drink to ensure you stay hydrated. Heat Exhaustion If you stay dehydrated, then your body can overheat, leading to heat exhaustion. Signs of heat exhaustion include: Cramps, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, heavy sweating, pale skin. If you have these symptoms, then go to a cooler place; remove unnecessary clothing, and slowly sip cool water or a sports drink. Be sure to seek medical attention if you do not recover.
Nursery Notes
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Event Calendar
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August Chores
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Wildlife Happenings
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On the Trail
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Info graphics
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Gardener Holidays
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Can You Dig It?
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Ye Olde Farm
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Problematic Paper
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Biophilia Field Trip
Heat Stroke A heat stroke—the most serious heat-related illness—happens when you overheat too quickly and your body is unable to cool.
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News You Can Use
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Recipe Round-Up
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Last Word
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Signs of a heat stroke include: Confusion or dizziness; throbbing headache; slurred speech; chills; hot, dry skin; high fever. If you or someone you know is experiencing a heat stroke, then let someone else know and seek immediate medical assistance or call 911. You should also move the victim to a cool place immediately and cool him/her with an ice pack, hose, or fan. Do not give the person anything to drink if the victim is disoriented and doesn’t remember his/her location, name, or the day of the week. Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses Although heat-related illnesses are serious, they can be easily prevented by staying hydrated and by being in tune with your body. To prevent heat stress, use the following tips: Drink about two cups of water or a sports beverage every hour. Do heavier work in the coolest parts of the day. Wear light and breathable clothing—such as cotton—if possible. Avoid alcohol and sugary, carbonated, and caffeinated drinks. Look at your urine’s color—if it’s a dark yellow to orange color or darker, then you could be dehydrated. Always take a break at the first sign of feeling overheated.
Corn plant in flower. Photo courtesy of B. Bayer
We are all aware of driving safely, securing our homes, making sure our plants are hydrated, let’s start taking care of us first. Adapted and excerpted from: J. Beatty and G. P. Kauwell, “Hydrating in Hot Working Environments” (FCS80018), UF/IFAS Family, Youth and Community Sciences Department (03/2012). “Heat Stress,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (rev. 06/2014). An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
On the Cover - Florida Cracker House at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. Photo courtesy of P. Garrett
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August, 2016
NURSERY NOTES
by L. Vanderpool
With the completion of installing pavers in the nursery, we are proceeding to organize plants according to their need for sun or shade and their need for moisture. Right now, the lack of an irrigation system is hampering our efforts but that will soon be remedied.
access to Shirley’s Garden and have begun renewal of plants, removing weeds and a general sprucing up of the garden.
We have tapered off our soft-wood propagation program for this year with July being the logical end of the rapid rooting season. We will continue to stick soft cuttings of some plants that are in high demand but for the remainder of this year we will concentrate on propagating plants by division.
Photos courtesy of M. Stewart
The heat has been a real problem this summer. We have had a couple of workers who seemed to have been adversely affected by heat stress. To that end, we have purchased, with membership approval, a high volume fan to replace the four box fans that have been in service for many years. We will retain the box fans to spot cool areas while the new one will be used primarily around the hub of the nursery, the potting area. We are also stressing the need to hydrate and take frequent, short cooling-off breaks inside the building. We hope these actions will forego other volunteers from getting ill due to the heat.
J. Sweda, J. Bowers and I moved 242 plants from M. Harrison’s home to the nursery. Some of the plants are new to the nursery and will be used as mother plants to establish enough stock to be able to offer them to the membership and public next year. Our thanks to the Harrison’s for their kind donation.
The Jokester
The large pile of sand which remained after the paver project has been removed by the county. What little remains will be distributed around the parking lot as soon as the weather cools enough to permit some manual labor. With the removal of the sand pile, we again have An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble
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August, 2016
For details on any of the upcoming events, go to www.ocmga.org/Calendar.html
An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
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August, 2016
AUGUST CHORES
compiled from UF/IFAS Gardening Calendar
Annuals/Perennials: Remove spent blooms, cut back and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials. Planting now is limited to heat tolerant plants such as vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
Continue to monitor your lawn and landscape for pests and other problems. Monitor rainfall and watch out for drought stress. Helpful Links
Palms/cycads: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
Gardening with Annuals in Florida Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide Herbs in the Florida Garden Nutrient Deficiencies of Landscape and Field-grown Palms Poinsettias at a Glance Gardening with Perennials in Florida Bulbs for Florida
Vegetable Gardening: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now. Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of this month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom. Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those that show signs of deficiencies.
Questions? Not sure if you are dealing with a pest or something else? Contact our Master Gardener Help Desk for assistance when necessary, 850-689-5850 (Crestview) or 850-651-7476 (Fort Walton Beach).
WILDLIFE HAPPENINGS
compiled from wec.ufl.edu
The wildlife doesn’t mind the Florida summer with afternoon storms and sticky heat. There’s plenty to see if you want to brave the outdoors. Birds: -First flocks of blue-winged and green-winged teal arrive to winter on lakes and wetlands. -Yellow warbler migration begins. Mammals: -Two-year old black bear cubs will wean from their mothers. -Short-tailed shrews will begin a second round of breeding. Reptiles: -Sea turtles are hatching! Watch where you walk on the beach, turn off lights facing the beach and clean up all traces you were there when you leave!
On left - Bee on duranta; right starfish cactus in bloom
Photos courtesy of S. Gerber
An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
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August, 2016
ON THE TRAIL
by B. Bayer
In addition to the fireworks on the Fourth of July, D. Stever and I had our own kind of explosion on the trail the next day. Like the dazzling display of the 4th, we created a display of greenery at our new Honor Nursery, the newest addition to the trail. This is sort of a trial on the trail. We are starting with just two very affordable tables of plants. Everything is on the honor system. Pick your plant, view the suggested price on the tag and put your donation in the cash box. We are not advertizing what the plants are, so you will have to visit the trail if you are looking for bargains. There are some interesting possibilities that are being worked on to bring more visitors to view peace and tranquility of the trail. If they become a reality, you will be notified in this column. With the advent of more visitors to the trail, we can expect an increase in the demand for additional plants. We planned the area for what we hope will be a required expansion.
and blaze a new trail closer to the end of the drainage swale. This will increase the trail to a little more than a quarter mile. Once we have marked the new route, Pam hopes she can enlist the assistance of county prisoners to do the clearing.
Trail map and honor nursery. Photo courtesy of B. Bayer
What else is new? D. Stever and I had a sit down with our new Director, Pam Allen. She has been escorted by Larry Williams on a tour of the trail and was very impressed. She thanked us for the work we have put in over the years and expressed her desire that we continue. We were also advised that the week before our office was visited by the University Risk Management Team. It seems that someone objected to having to walk across the retention area at the end of the trail. The team agreed. We explained to Pam that plans had been made to bridge this area but never became a reality. As a temporary measure, a guide rope will be placed at the end of the trail directing people around the water retention area. A more permanent solution will be to close-off the final ten yards of the trail
Have you taken the time to enter your hours into VMS? No time like the present! There is a link on our web site. These hours help out when it comes to applying for grants and other funding!
Night blooming cereus. Photos courtesy of S. Gerber
An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
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August, 2016
INFO GRAPHICS
GARDENER HOLIDAYS Monthly Observances National Goat Cheese Month National Panini Month National Water Quality Month Weekly Observances National Bargain Hunting Week 1-5 National Farmers’ Market Week 7-13 North American Organic Brewers Week 18-21 Daily Observances National Night Out 2nd Friendship Day 3rd Watermelon Day 3rd National Chocolate Chip Day 4th National Root Beer Float Day 6th Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night 8th
by Staff
S’Mores Day 10th National Garage Sale Day 13th National Relaxation Day 15th World Honey Bee Day 20th National Park Service Day 25th International Bat Night 27-28th More Herbs, Less Salt Day 29th
Happy Birthday to: Butterfly on lantana. Photo courtesy of S. Gerber
B. Buckellew D. Pfoertner J. Waters-Smith J. Yelverton
An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
The Jokester Why is the person who invests all your money called a broker?
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August, 2016
CAN YOU DIG IT? I was going to begin this article with some original poetry that I planned to call “Ode to a Shovel.” I was pretty sure nobody would have ever thought of writing poetry about a shovel. Wow, was I wrong. It seems people have been very cleverly wordy for many centuries as they contemplate this lowly piece of equipment. A fellow who calls himself Mike the Gardener tells this story of Ben Franklin and shovels, in an essay actually titled Ode to the Shovel: “There’s an old story about Ben Franklin learning the wisdom of trying to polish a freshly forged shovel to shiny newness. He questioned why the shovel was brown and ugly. The blacksmith set him to polishing it to make it more aesthetically pleasing. A few hours later, he understood why the ugly shovel was just fine. A lot can be said for that sort of wisdom.” The rest of Mike’s essay is here: http://tinyurl.com/ h2snufx
by K. Harper needed for laying irrigation pipes, and other instances where firm, clean trench walls are needed. This is also the type of shovel you would need if you (foolishly) decide you need to move something like a full-grown, deeply-rooted ligustrum or crepe myrtle or wax myrtle or Chinese mahonia or any of the other dozens of ridiculously difficult projects I’ve tackled in my own yard or on behalf of others who didn’t know any better. A good, sharp trenching shovel is the only tool to use for such an effort.
There are drain spades, which are long and narrow with slightly curved sides and a rounded tip. These are designed for precision work such as adding flowers to established beds. Since I am frequently doing just that and either disrupting beds with my big clumsy shovel or smushing existing plants with my knees while digging with my trowel, I will definitely add this item to my list of must-have tools. Home Depot has them: http:// Poetry aside, we don’t tend to spend much time thinking about our shovels but it is actually interesting to learn something about tinyurl.com/zw2cyms the development of the shovel. Thousands of years ago, humans There are scoop shovels, which are wide and flared with a flat used animal bones for digging in the ground. Gradually, stone tip and definitely not meant for digging but very useful for and wood became the preferred materials for digging and then moving loose stuff like snow or gravel or wood shavings for finally metal became the material of choice for making shovels. bedding in horse stalls. If you are a native of the frozen north, There are several different types of shovels that have evolved you will know all about the joys of shoveling snow. I found a over the centuries in response to various human needs. For clever shovel haiku on this subject that should remind us of how purposes of illustration, here is a link to a somewhat nerdy article written by someone with a clear shovel obsession that you lucky we are to not have to deal with snow removal: From Feb 23, 2015, written by Robert Thompson and titled Shoveling: can refer to for pictures while reading my descriptions of “Arms and legs weary,/effort numbing body and mind./ shovels: http://tinyurl.com/jt336da Shoveling snow sucks.” There is your basic digging shovel, and within that category there are round tipped shovels meant for digging and planting in There are scrapers, such as the roofing shovel which is used to remove old roof shingles when replacing or repairing a roof. soft soil versus the sharp, flat tip of a square-pointed shovel which is more useful for digging into heavy, hard-packed soils. There are edgers, which use a half-moon shaped blade (very Square point shovels perform many of the same functions as sharp) to cut through established turf to clean up borders, garden spades such as digging out small bushes and trees for driveways, and curbs. We have one of these in our garage but I transplanting, cutting sod and roots, and dividing perennials. never use it because I thought that’s what weed-eaters were for. And let’s pause right here to discuss the difference between shovels and spades. The main physical difference between a There are post-hole diggers, which are two shovels connected shovel and a spade is in the tip of the blade. A shovel has a by a hinge. These are used to remove columns of dirt in scooping tip whereas the very bottom edge on a spade is completely flat. So, all spades are shovels but not all shovels are preparation for sinking fence posts or other supports. I personally am very clumsy with a post-hole digger and I try to be spades. Maybe. I also think this is one of those nebulous areas otherwise occupied when one has to be used here. wherein we know what it is when we see it. But if you want to wade into the weeds a little deeper (so to speak) here is someone And, lastly, there are hand trowels. For some reason I never who has given this matter a great deal of thought and devised thought of my hand trowels as shovels but if you look at them this in-depth comparison between shovels and spades: http:// analytically, that is certainly what they are--little mini shovels! tinyurl.com/hlnopar . There are trenching shovels, designed to dig and clear trenches. They have the sharp, pointed tip and squared sides An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
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August, 2016
A CREEK RUNS THROUGH IT Hot! Hot! Hot! How did I go to school in Okaloosa County without air conditioning? Thankfully, we have air conditioning and afternoon rain to cool off some of the high temperatures. In spite of the heat, flowers are still plentiful for the hummers and butterflies. It is a joy to watch the hummingbirds gather nectar from the red passion vine. They have no interest in the purple passion vine. The Gulf Fritillary love the purple passion vine but has no interest in the red one. A number of the Gulf Fritillaries are beginning to lay their eggs on the passion vine. August and September are the primary months for the Gulf Fritillary to pass through our area. They will completely strip the purple passion vine of leaves. Also, a number of other butterflies are beginning to make a showing on the flowers.
by D. Gordon animals are going down for water. Chestnut Creek always has a supply of water because of numerous springs and rain. A few scuppernongs are beginning to turn color. It is usually the end of August before I harvest them. Hopefully, the animals will not eat that many so I can make jelly. Larry Williams gave me several Pollyanna starts years ago and they always have loads of scuppernongs. The two Florida Fry are extremely sweet and are good eating off the vine. I suppose two of my favorites during the summer are scuppernongs and boiled peanuts. If we can stand the heat and humidity for another month cooler days are ahead.
A number of young birds are coming into the feeders and making use of the bird baths. It is important to keep plenty of water in the bird baths during the hot dry months. What a sight to see several bluebirds bathing in the water. There are lots of tracks around the creek bank where various
PROBLEMATIC PAPER Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is a deciduous tree in the mulberry family with milky sap that grows to a height of 30-40 feet. It is native to Japan and Taiwan and was introduced for its use as a fast-growing shade tree. In its native habitat, paper mulberry is used in paper making. In Hawaii and other parts of the South Pacific, its bark is used to make cloth. In the United States it is found from Illinois to Massachusetts, south to Florida and west to Texas. Paper mulberry is an invader of open habitats such as forest and field edges. Native species are displaced because of its vigorous growth.
by D. Stever Paper mulberry is listed as a Class II invasive in Florida. More Information: https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/broussonetiapapyrifera/ http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.cfm?sub=5208 http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/papermulberry%202.pdf
The bark is pale brown and smooth or shallowly grooved. The most revealing characteristic is the highly variable leaves. In size they range from 3 to 10 inches in length, and are arranged alternately on stems. The tree is dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on separate trees. Male trees produce catkins that are long clusters of flowers. Female trees produce ball-shaped flower clusters, which mature into red fruits. The tree is an invasive plant that will quickly invade disturbed areas throughout Florida. In Florida, paper mulberry is found in Dade, Duval, and Santa Rosa Counties. Natural areas are extremely susceptible to invasion of paper mulberry because the Florida climate is ideal for its growth and spread. Paper mulberry is spread via fruit with birds and other wildlife able to move the fruit over long distances. Once established paper mulberry is able to spread vegetatively from its roots, forming dense thickets that inhibit the growth and development of native species. This also negatively impacts wildlife, which are dependent on native vegetation for forage, nesting, and cover.
An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
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August, 2016
FIELD TRIP TO E.O. WILSON BIOPHILIA CENTER Photos courtesy of P. Garrett. Master Gardeners recently went on a field trip to the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. You can learn more about this wonder place at http://www.eowilsoncenter.org/
Field of flowers
Pitcher plants
Home-made bird house that is the bee’s knees!
Red shouldered hawk
An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
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August, 2016
FIELD TRIP (cont’d) Photos courtesy of P. Garrett
Saw and learned about three varieties of Vaccinium (Elliott’s blueberry)
Longleaf Laura explaining the difference in density of longleaf pine and other pine species
Bear sighting
Feeding of Northern Bobcat
V. Dougherty, K. Blurton, D. Hickenbotham, and D. Edmiston enjoying lunch.
An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
Mississippi Kite 10
August, 2016
FIELD TRIP (cont’d) Photos courtesy of P. Garrett
Red tailed hawk
Asparagus
Growing shitake mushrooms
On the next page are photos of the restored Florida Cracker House. The EO Wilson Biophilia center has a walk through exhibit where you can see how life was for the early settlers of Florida over 100 years ago. The term ‘cracker’ refers to colonial-era pioneers who settled in Florida, the first arriving in 1763. Many were cowboys but unlike those of the West who used lassos and the Spanish vaquero who used bolos, Florida’s cowboys used primarily whips and dogs when it came to herding their cattle. Because of the crack of their whips, the term ‘cracker’ cowboy became common and was ultimately shortened to simply ‘cracker.’
Proud gentleman
Soon, the cattle became known as cracker cows and the term grew to be applied to anything having to do with the early pioneers of Florida. An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
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August, 2016
FIELD TRIP (cont’d) Photos courtesy of P. Garrett
A. Ogle and L. Vanderpool at the Florida Cracker House L. Vanderpool checking out the comforts available
The ice box
The kitchen
Indoor plumbing
The original pest control An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
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August, 2016
NEWS YOU CAN USE We’ve decided to over-haul our updated publications page. Here you will indeed find News You Can Use and perhaps just a few tidbits that will help you win the next Trivial Pursuit™ game! Updated Publications Texas Phoenix Palm Decline - a 6-page fact sheet explaining this new disease in Florida; the pathogen and hosts of TPPD, its symptoms, and how to diagnose it. The fact sheet also provides disease management practices. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp163 How to quantify Nosema spores infection rate in a honey bee colony - a 5-page fact sheet explaining the process. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1123 Bluegrass Billbug http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1133 Rustic Sphinx http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1134
by Staff Interesting Tidbits An interesting and informative presentation on the vascular system of plants. http://www.northwestgardennews.com/id143.html Tomato trivia, is it a fruit or a vegetable? https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/149/304/ case.html An approach to pruning you won’t forget by Dr. Ed Gilman https://m.youtube.com/watch? v=cH3ym3F7Kc&feature=youtu.be How trees talk to each other http://tinyurl.com/zk6kgel Measuring impervious surface cover with the pace to plant technique http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/measuring-impervious-surfacecover-with-the-pace-to-plant-technique
RECIPE ROUND-UP From healthydeclicious.com courtesy of A. Ogle Summer Tomato Jam Note: If canning makes you nervous, you can also keep this jam in the refrigerator or freeze it for long term storage. Ingredients: 2 pounds ripe tomatoes 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar 1 lemon, zested and juiced 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 4 half-point jars, sterilized Directions:
staff Balsamic-Onion Jam from Ball® Ingredients: 2 lb. onions, diced 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup maple syrup 1 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. ground white pepper 1 bay leaf 2 cups apple juice 3 Tbsp. Ball® Low or No-Sugar Pectin 1/2 cup sugar Directions:
1.
Add tomatoes to a blender or food processor. Pulse several times to crush the tomatoes.
2.
Transfer the tomato puree to a medium skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, lemon zest and juice, 2. and ground ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thick and jam-like--this will take about an hour. To test, dip a cool, metal spoon into the jam. The jam should slide off the spoon in a thick sheet. 3.
3.
1.
Ladle the jam into the jars and seal. The jam is delicious right away, but tastes even better after a few weeks.
Combine first 6 ingredients in a 6-qt. stainless steel or enameled Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat 15 minutes or until onions are translucent, stirring occasionally. Stir in apple juice and pectin. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly. Add sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Remove and discard bay leaf. Skim foam, if necessary.
The Jokester Caterpallor (n): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you’re eating.
4.
Ladle hot jam into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Process jars 15 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool completely.
An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
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August, 2016
M. Stewart —Editor S. Farrell , K. Harper, V. Graham and S. Berry—coeditors
Have pictures or an idea for an article? Send it in! Articles and pictures are always welcome.
Mission To assist Extension Agents in providing research-based horticultural education to Florida residents. Vision To be the most trusted resource for horticultural education in Florida.
LAST WORD Sitting at my computer, minding my own business, there is suddenly a ’beep.’ Not repeated several times so I know it isn’t the microwave, oven, or any of the sundry appliances that are very pushy when they want attention. The cat hasn’t learned to beep as an alternative to nerve wracking meowing when she sees the dime-sized hole in her food dish. Oh well, back to…’beep!’….work. The search is now on for the mysterious, intermittent beep. I know it isn’t the any of the smoke detectors. Those things have a way more irritating chirp. This is almost friendly. Sort of like a little willow-the-wisp leading you deeper into the swamp. ’Beep!’ Ah-ha! It’s coming from the alarm box. But why is it coming from the alarm box? Said box is in the off mode, therefore nothing should be going ’beep!’ Okay, there are strange hieroglyphics going across the digital read-out...and since nothing is easy in my world--I have to go find my reading glasses. I would dearly love to meet the person who designs both the codes on register receipts and now my alarm system. Have you ever looked at your receipt after shopping? You were there and you know what you bought but what the heck is ’WTKSL32’? Reading the digital read-out was about the same...I finally figured out that it was telling me that the motion sensor had a low battery. Trust me folks, you do not want to know how that was listed. Okay, fine. Low battery. I can handle this. I mean (cue the music) HOW HARD CAN IT BE? Yes, dear ones, I uttered those fateful words. Those words that goad the universe into action. Now, I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I am rather short. The motion sensor is rather high. But hey, no problem, I have technology and it’s called a ladder. Before I go any further, I’d better check to see if there are instructions. Off to the world-wide web. Sure enough, there is a video, made by the alarm company and written instructions on their web site. The written instructions even have helpful pictures. I watch the video which shows the smiling, well-dressed and fully manicured lady strolling to her keypad and entering in her code and then pushing test. They’re very adamant about this test button pushing thing. Adamant to the point that I’m now convinced that if I attempt the battery change without pushing test first, SWAT teams may repel into my house. Video lady (her hands anyway) is then shown simply popping off the sensor (sans ladder) and changing the battery. Of course I can do this. But, I do read the instructions and it does say that the siren may briefly sound when you hit test. I know the siren box is near the keypad so I do the only logical
An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication
by M. Stewart thing...ask Happy Hubby for assistance. I know, I know...I’m evil. HH suggests that a ladder is a bit of overkill and the step-stool will be more than sufficient. Fine, I send him in to push the appropriate buttons while I scale Mt. Olympus. I have gathered up AA batteries because the pictures showed that’s what the sensor had inside. Hubby pushes buttons and…….NOTHING HAPPENS. Well, something happened. Strange messages appear. Certain that he’s doing something wrong I give it a go...same thing. So, I call the alarm company. After a short wait listening to really jaunty hold music, I’m connected with the technical support department. Tech: “So what can I do for you today?” I explain what is going on, and tell him about the keypad fiasco. Tech: “Why are you pushing the buttons on the keypad?” Me: “Because you’re video said to!” Tech: “The video lied.” You know folks, it’s times like this that you know you should just go back to bed for the rest of the day. Me: “So what do we do now?” Tech: “Oh, no problem! I will put the system in test mode when you’re by the sensor.” I give the phone to Happy Hubby who generously puts it on speaker and lets the guy know that I’m going up the ladder. News flash --my sensor doesn’t just pop off. Oh no, you need to poke part of it with a screwdriver and then pry it off. Tech guy is chatting with HH and I finally get the cover off to reveal--a 3 volt battery. I tell tech guy who assures me that they all have 3 volt batteries and when I tell him the instructions show AA…. Tech: “The instructions lied.” Keep in mind that in our house we have 9V, AAA, AA, C’s, and D’s. We have watch batteries for all our watches, batteries for tools, other batteries for other tools, and batteries for things I’m not even sure about. Do you think we would have a 3 volt battery???? OF COURSE NOT! Tech guy cheerfully informs us that you can get those at..blah..blah..blah. Good thing he was nice. So, the sensor gets put back together and the job is left for another day. A day after I purchase a 3 volt battery. Must not forget to call and have system put into test mode. The helpful tech said you can do it all on-line but with everything else they lied about?????? One good thing. All the button pushing silenced the ’beep’ coming from the system. Have no idea how we did that. Oh, and as for being well manicured like video lady during this whole process? You’re kidding, right?
Plentiful Plantings
August, 2016