The Invasive Air Potato

Photo from Okeechobee UF/IFAS Extension

Stephen Brown, Lee County Extension Agent, did a great job on this video describing the air potato vine.  Click here to view video.

For more information visit:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag112

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/environment/air_potato.html

http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/parks/air_potato.html

http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/133

Ten water-wasting irrigation problems (And their easy fixes!)

Staying on top of irrigation system problems will prevent wasting water and loss or damage to landscapes. The most important action to take to help maintain an irrigation system is to conduct regular inspections while the system is running.

1.      Problem: System is watering during rainfall or after sufficient rainfall.
Fix: Install a rain sensor that will automatically turn off the system during rain events to reduce overwatering. (It is a requirement by state law SB494 that all systems have a rain sensor and that they are tested and operating properly).

2.      Problem: Sprinklers on large turf areas do not provide uniform water distribution.
Fix: Adjust sprinkler heads to create head-to-head coverage and add heads where needed.

3.      Problem: Small areas of turf are deteriorating and are difficult to maintain.

Fix: Convert the areas to plant beds and use drought-tolerant plants suitable to the conditions.

4.      Problem: System is watering turf and plants on the same zone for the same duration and with the same amount of water.
Fix: If plant materials in beds are established, irrigation should be shut off altogether or the more appropriate low-volume irrigation should replace the current high-volume irrigation system.

5.      Problem: Broken sprinkler heads are noted.
Fix: Check sprinkler heads on a regular basis and replace broken heads as soon as possible.

6.      Problem: Sprinkler heads are spraying onto driveway or sidewalk.
Fix: Change nozzles from 180 degree spray to 90 degree spray or adjust spray pattern.

7.      Problem: Sprinkler head is spraying directly into the ground.
Fix: Straighten the sprinkler head.

8.      Problem: Sprinkler head distribution is blocked by plant material.

Fix: Remove or trim plant material to reduce blockage.

9.      Problem: Sprinkler heads are watering a plant-less mulch area.
Fix: Cap these sprinkler heads.

Problem: Sprinkler head appears to be clogged or is not popping up.
Fix: Flush out the head and replace the nozzle if necessary.

Information above provided by Sylvia L. Durell, Senior Communications Coordinator,

Southwest Florida Water Management District 
 

Protect Your Plants in Cold Weather

What to Do During the Freeze

photo from www.realcoolpics.blogspot.com

Ornamental plants can be protected during a freeze by sprinkling the plants with water. Sprinkling for cold protection helps keep leaf surface temperatures near 32°F (0°C) because sprinkling utilizes latent heat released when water changes from a liquid to a solid state. Sprinkling must begin as freezing temperatures are reached and continue until thawing is completed.

 Water must be evenly distributed and supplied in ample quantity to maintain a film of liquid water on the foliage surfaces. Irrigation for several days may water soak the soil resulting in damaged root systems and/or plant breakage due to ice build up.

Also visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG02500.pdf

It's Time to Skip a Week!

During the winter months of December, January and February, your yard only needs about 3/4” of water every 10-14 days. So turn your irrigation timer off when you want to skip a week and turn it on the week you want to water.

Find out more at http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/irrigating/

Click here to view a short video on how to reset your irrigation timer.

Feeding the Birds

To make room for people moving to Florida, vast areas of wildlife habitat are affected. Habitat is an area that has sufficient amount of food, cover, water, and space for a particular animal. When humans change the land to suit their needs, they can decrease the amount of habitat available for wildlife. In particular, this changing environment is affecting where birds occur in Florida. When humans move in, some bird species move out. However, some bird species are still living in these human-dominated landscapes.  A great way to attract wildlife into your landscape, especially birds, is to install plants that provide food.

Provide food for birds by planting species with berries, seeds, and fruits and filling your bird feeders with high
quality seed. Make sure your bird feeders protect the seed from rain, minimize spillage, and are easy to see from the air. And keep them at least fifteen feet away from vegetation to thwart cats and creative, determined squirrels.

Some ideas for recycled bird feeder:

For more information visit
http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/giam/fyn/florida_friendly_yards/bird_gardening.html

Stop Crape Murder!

It is that time of year when the crape myrtles are starting to loose their leaves and go dormant for the winter.  Resist the urge to over prune these poor trees.Unfortunately, many homeowners and landscape professionals prune crape myrtle trees too severely. Topping--commonly called "crape murder"--can be very damaging and disfiguring to the tree. This practice results in a "witch's broom" appearance and a tree that is no longer in proportion.

Crape myrtle may need little or no pruning if planted in full sun away from walkways and roads and in areas with room for plant growth. In these locations, trees form a round canopy that often extends to the ground. Reasons for pruning crapemyrtle (or any plant) are to improve plant structure and alter plant size, shape, and appearance according to human perceptions and landscape function. Well pruned crape myrtle provide an interesting, sculptural feature in your landscape during it's dormant season and beautiful color in the growing season.

For more information on pruning crape myrtles or other trees visit: 
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep399
http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/lawn_and_garden/crape_murder.html
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep399
http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/pruning.shtml
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg087

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Walkabout Photos

Thanks to all 84 walkers who join us for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Walkabout.  We had perfect weather to enjoy the landscapes of historic Palmetto.  Photos can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/112564141574467714222/FloridaFriendlyLandscapingWalkabout#

Join us for the Walkabout!

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Walkabout

Join us at the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Walkabout to stroll through historic Palmetto’s Florida-Friendly landscapes gathering ideas to for your own yard.  Observe beautiful water conserving, environmentally friendly landscape designs.  Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and point out highlights.

This FREE tour will take place October 30^th from 9:00 a.m. - Noon.  Pick up your map at the First United Methodist Church parking lot, 330 11^th Avenue West, Palmetto.  For more information please call Michelle at (941) 722-4524. 

Note: This is a self guided walking tour.  Please come prepared with appropriate footwear, hat and sunscreen.

Squirrels in the Landscape

Squirrels can make interesting wildlife neighbors and often can be attracted to your landscape with minimal effort. Attracting squirrels with feeders, however, is not recommended because it often causes more problems than benefits. One of the major reasons that squirrels cause problems here in Florida is because people feed them using a bird feeder or a corn cob feeder designed specifically for squirrels. Feeders often encourage more squirrels to live in an area than can be supported by the neighboring habitat. When this occurs, squirrels may search out nesting sites in your home and cause property damage. Many squirrels that take up residence in an attic or garage ceiling can be traced to a feeding situation. Should the food ever be reduced or eliminated (you move, go on vacation, or you quit feeding them, etc.) the squirrels often respond by chewing up nearby vegetation.

Grey squirrels are one of the most frequently encountered native Florida mammals. They have large, bushy tails and chisel-like front teeth that can chew through almost anything. The bark on certain trees is enjoyed by squirrels. This can cause small to moderately sized branches to die and then fall from the canopy. 

Unfortunately, there is not a lot that can be done to control squirrel populations. They have ample natural habitat and food with our native vegetation. They are territorial so as soon as one dies or is killed there is another one to take its place. They can be legally caught in live animal traps and relocated to another site with the approval of the property owner. Poisons cannot be legally used to control squirrels.
  

Sometimes squirrels can be repelled from garden areas with a hot pepper spray. Blood meal and garlic also seems to repel squirrels. Landscape cloth can be laid over garden areas to prevent digging by squirrels.

The above information was compiled from the following sources http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/giam/index.html and

http://brevard.ifas.ufl.edu/Forms%20and%20Publications/PDF/Feeding%20Squirrels.pdf

New Florida-Friendly Resources

Great new publications for you to use in your Florida-Friendly Landscape™.  Check out:

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Pattern Book - zone 9A
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Pattern Book - zone 9B

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Planting Selections & Landscape Guide

Protect the Waterfront - Especially Our Estuaries

(Robinsons Preserve)

Celebrate National Estuaries Day on September 25, 2010

Estuaries are places where freshwater mixes with salty water from the sea. Teeming with life, our nation's estuaries provide vital habitats for 80 percent of the world's fish and shellfish species, including many that are listed as threatened or endangered. Estuaries are one of our nation's most valuable natural resources, creating more food per acre than the richest farmland.

In the past 100 years 55,000,000 acres of estuarine habitat have been destroyed. Bays once filled with fish and oysters have become dead zones filled with excess nutrients, chemical wastes, harmful algae, and marine debris.

Estuaries require everyone’s help and hard work to keep them clean and safe. There are many things you can do to help protect estuaries and to conserve the valuable natural resource in estuarine ecosystems.


Click here to learn 10 things you can do to help protect our estuaries.

Information from Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Estuaries.gov

Interesting Texture

The Leather fern holds interesting texture. In landscape design, texture refers to how coarse or fine the surface of the plant or hardscape material feels and/or looks. Texture is used to provide variety, interest, and contrast. The plant's foliage, flowers, bark, and overall branching pattern all have texture. Coarse-textured plants attract the eye and tend to hold it because the light and dark contrasts of the shadows provide more interest. Acrostichum daneifolium, Leather fern looks spectacular planted in mass in a large landscape. Its unusual texture and open habit combine to make this a great, eye-catching attraction. In a smaller residential landscape, leather fern can be used as a specimen planted alone to add texture to the garden. Many ferns grow poorly near the coast, however this one is tolerant of all but the most exposed ocean-front lots.

Provide a shaded or partially shaded spot for leather fern for the best growth and to keep plants healthy. Prolonged direct sun, especially in the summer, can burn foliage. Ferns transplant well any time of year as long the soil ball is handled carefully.


This beautiful fern that is native to Florida grows larger than many other ferns, becoming 4 to 8 feet tall. The 3- to 6-foot-long, pinnately divided fronds emerge from the ground to form a beautifully textured, open form. The plant changes very little throughout the year, but provides a continual green mass of beautiful foliage.

The giant leather fern is considered a Florida-Friendly plant. This plant is relatively pest free.

Rainy Day Water Trivia

One inch of rain on one acre of land yeilds 27,154 gallons of water!

This may sound like a lot of water but to put it into perspective, it takes

• 300 milllion gallons of water to produce a single day's supply of US newsprint
• 39,090 gallons to manufacture a new car
• 1,851 gallons to refine a barrel of crude oil
• 62,600 gallons to produce a ton of steel

A great way to conserve water is to capture rainfall.  Cisterns and rain barrels can recycle the rain into your landscape when dryer times are present.  For information on rain barrels including workshop information visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/fyn/rain-barrel.shtml

Watch the Weather - Wait to Water Your Yard!

http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/irrigating/watch-weather/

During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need only about ¾ inch of water every 3 to 5 days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and operate it manually as needed.

Take full advantage of the rain

• Make sure gutter downspouts are directed into landscaped areas or lawn.
• Install a rain barrel to capture excess rainwater.

 Attend a rain barrel workshop to learn more. To register click here.

Mowing 101

Groundcovers can be an alternative to turfgrass and reduce maintenance in areas that are not heavily foot trafficked.  To find Florida-Friendly Groundcovers for Manatee County click here.

With our summer rains the turfgrass is growing which means you are mowing, if you have turfgrass.  There are some important things to consider before you start making laps with your mower.

1. Mowing height - this will be determined by the variety of your turfgrass.  Turfgrass undergoes physiological stress with each mowing event, particularly if too much leaf tissue is removed. Effects of “scalping,” or removal of too much shoot tissue at one time, can produce long-term damage to the turf. This can leave turf susceptible to other stresses such as insects, disease, drought, and sun scald. Mowing also greatly influences rooting depth, with development of a deeper root system in response to higher mowing heights. Advantages of the deeper root system are greater tolerances to drought, insects, disease, nematodes, temperature stress, poor soil conditions, nutrient deficiencies, and traffic. Mowing below the recommended heights for each species is a primary cause of turf death and should be avoided.
See the table 1 at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh028 to determine appropriate mowing height for your turf.
2. Clippings - On most lawns, grass clippings should be returned to help recycle nutrients to the soil. If the lawn is mowed frequently enough, clippings cause few problems. Although many people believe that clippings contribute to thatch, research has shown that clippings are readily decomposed by microbial action.
3. Mowing Equipment - keep the blade sharpened to prevent a ragged cut.  A ragged cut stresses turfgrass making it more susceptible to insects and disease.
4. Good Practices -

• Pick up all stones, sticks and other debris before mowing to avoid damaging the mower or injuring someone with flying objects.
• Never mow wet turf with a rotary mower because clippings can clog the machine. Mow only when the turf is dry.
• Sharpen the mower blade frequently enough to prevent a ragged appearance to the turf.
• Mow in a different direction every time the lawn is cut. This helps prevent wear patterns, reduces the grain (grass lying over in the same direction), and reduces the possibility of scalping.
• Do not remove clippings. If clumping occurs, distribute these by remowing or by lightly raking. A leaf blower can also be used to distribute clippings.
• Check your mower every time it is used. Follow manufacturer's recommendations for service and adjustments.
• Adjust cutting height by setting the mower on a driveway or sidewalk and using a ruler to measure the distance between the ground and the blade.
• Never fill a hot mower with gasoline.
• Always wear heavy leather shoes when mowing the lawn.
• Wash mower after use to reduce rusting and weed seed movement.

For more information visit http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/yourfloridalawn/ or visit the Master Gardener Plant Clinic at the Manatee County Extension Office.

What's eating your garden?

Touring through the demonstration garden here at the Manatee County Extension office we came across friend and foe.

This dill is almost completely devoured

63 Friends

But look closely because the muncher is the Black Swallowtail caterpillar.  In order to have butterflies we have to support the caterpillars.  Spraying a pesticide to eliminate them would also eliminate their chance to become butterflies.  We soon will be enjoying butterflies. 

 Black Swallowtail Butterfly

As for the dill, we can grow more in another location and transfer any munchers to the plant in the photo above.

We also came upon many of these very attractive grasshoppers

Foe

The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper may often invade residential areas and feast on certain ornamental plants, especially amaryllis and related flowers. Unlike the tolerance we recommend for the caterpillar, the University of Florida's recommendation for the Lubber is "If you cannot control them through mowing, try hand-picking. You can throw them into a bucket of soapy water or a trash bag to kill them."  This is because the occurrence can be large enough to cause serious economic damage to citrus, vegetable crops and landscape ornamental.

Any time you come across a plant or animal stranger in your landscape or garden bring it in for our Master Gardeners to identify.  This is a free service offered through the Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto hours are Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri. from 9am-4pm.

What is that yellow tree in bloom right now?

The Yellow Poinciana, Peltophorum pterocarpum, is quite showy right now which spurs many to ask about it.  It is not a native tree, however, it is considered Florida-Friendly as it can with stand periods of drought and is resistant to many pests in our area.

From May through September, the entire tree’s canopy is smothered with a yellow blanket of flowers.  The yellow poinciana tree can grow to heights of 50 feet with a spread of 40 feet so be sure to find the right place for this plant ensuring it has lots of room to grow.  Also, keep in mind that these blooms drop off, so plan ahead of planting to keep your maintenance level low by placing this tree where the expended blooms are not a nuisance.

Canopy in bloom

Poinciana without blooms

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Our summer afternoon showers, rain events, have begun.  What does this mean to you? 

• Your rain barrel is filling or full, good news!  Now is a great time to add another rain barrel to your collection.  If you are not currently using a rain barrel you can sign up for an upcoming workshop at http://manateefyn.eventbrite.com/
• It's time to check your irrigation timer!  You may be able to turn it off.  For more info check out http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/irrigating/watch-weather/
• Consider a Rain Garden.  Find out how to include a rain garden into your landscape at http://buildgreen.ufl.edu/Fact_sheet_Bioretention_Basins_Rain_Gardens.pdf

Upcoming Events

Summer Sat. Series: Bring the family and discover interesting Florida facts, animals, plants and ways to be friendly to our environment. This event is outside please be prepared with a drink, hat and/or sunscreen.




Meet the Natives – June 26th – Rye Preserve
Rye Wilderness Preserve 905 Wilderness Trail  Parrish, FL 34219

Take a walk with one of our Master Gardeners to identify Florida native plants. Listen to stories about our native friends as you tour the preserve spying new species along the way. Pot and take home a native plant. Registration is required.

*No fee required. Please register at http://metthenatives062610.eventbrite.com/

Program Location Description: Rye Preserve is a 145 acre property located just northwest of the Lake Manatee Dam. The preserve features nature trails, horseback trails, picnic areas, a playground and a canoe/kayak launch.
The preserve's trail system leads visitors through four distinctive ecosystems, including sand pine scrub, xeric oak scrub, oak hammocks and the river community. A variety of interesting creatures can be seen in these areas including the rare gopher tortoise, and Florida scrub-jay.
Rye Preserve is home to a piece of Manatee County's early pioneer history. Within the preserve visitors can view the Rye Family Cemetery, the last remaining reminder of the old Rye river community.

Other Series Titles:
Hippity Hoppity Frog Habitats- July 10th – Palma Sola Botanical Park http://froghabitats071010.eventbrite.com/


Wiggly Squiggly Worm Composting- August 14th - Manatee County Extension Office
http://wigglysquiggly081410.eventbrite.com/

Compost Facts - Compost Awareness Week

Yard trimmings and food residuals together constitute 24 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream. That's a lot of waste to send to landfills when it could become useful and environmentally beneficial compost instead!

Register for a Compost Workshop at ManateeFYN.eventbrite.com The Earth Machine Compost Bin is sold at this workshop for $25 to Manatee County Residents.

Worm Composting - Compost Awareness Week

It's Compost Awareness Week so let's talk Worm Composting (Vermiculture)!

Earthworms make great compost and are easy to grow. You can raise them in boxes (this is what we sell in our classes) also called worm bins or just put them in your cold compost piles. Worm castings are rich in nutrients and are great for your garden starts or garden beds.

Attend a class on Worm Composting at the Manatee County Extension Office on Saturday, May 22nd at 9:00am - 11:00am.  Registration is required at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/532295109 or call Linda at (941) 722-4524 ext. 265.

May 2nd - 8th is International Compost Awareness Week

It's International Compost Awareness Week!
Check out these helpful links:
Setting up a compost bin.
Check the list of compostable items.
Using your compost


Register for a Compost Workshop at ManateeFYN.eventbrite.com  The Earth Machine Compost Bin is sold at this workshop for $25 to Manatee County Residents.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 21

#21 Water efficiently!
Typically, up to 50% of water used by households is used outdoors. Efficient watering will not only help you save money and conserve water, but can also create a healthier landscape. Manatee County offers irrigation rebates and evaluations to residents. For more information visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/water_wise/index.shtml

Tomorrow is Earth Day - challenge yourself to adopt at least one new environmentally-friendly habitat.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 20

#20 Buy Local!
Local food production can be thought of in concentric circles that start with growing food at home. The next ring out might be food grown in our immediate community - then state, region, and country. Buying local goes for more than just food, buying local saves on transportation costs and has a positive impact on our carbon footprint. For more information visit http://www.manateeedc.com/Buy-Local.aspx or http://farmlink.org/ to find local food & farms.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 19

#19 Get Outside!
Getting outside is a fun, easy and low-cost way to spend time with your friends and family. The preserves of Manatee County offer a wonderful variety of animals and plants. Take a tour on foot or kayak. For more information go http://www.mymanatee.org/conservation.html or http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/ for regional information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 18

#18 Include some wildlife!
Landscaping to attract wildlife brings nature close by welcoming it into our backyards. Planting certain trees, shrubs, and flowers can create an inviting atmosphere for songbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Another advantage of landscaping for wildlife is creating habitat for animals that have been displaced by community growth and development where space is limited. Visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/backyard-habitat/index.shtml for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 17

#17 Give it to the worms!
Vermiculture, or worm composting, allows you to compost your food waste faster than you ever imagined, while producing a high quality compost and compost tea. Best of all, it's self-contained and nearly odorless! Visit http://manateefyn.eventbrite.com/ to register for a class or go to http://livinggreen.ifas.ufl.edu/waste/composting.html for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 16

#16 Choose Florida-Friendly!
Landscaping the Florida-Friendly way means using low maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices. Learn how you can have a beautiful landscape that could save you time, energy and money while protecting our future. Environmental protection begins in your yard. Visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/fyn/index.shtml for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 15

#15 Travel green! 
Look for hotels that encourage guests to use less water or energy. Hang up your towels to dry so you can use them again. Use the sheets more than a night or two. When you go out, look for local foods and souvenirs to reduce transportation. Before you go, unplug your computer, DVD player, and other electronics, and turn down your thermostat. Visit http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/waterchamp/to find Water Champ Lodging or http://www.epa.gov/region1/communities/traveltips.html for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 14

#14 Wait for the storm to pass! 
Don't fertilize before a rain storm. Your fertilizer - along with your money – can just wash off your lawn and down the storm drain. Fertilizer runoff can pollute rivers, lakes, and bays, and cause problems in recreational areas or fishing grounds. Check the weather forecast before you head out, and wait for the storm to pass. Visit http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/greenscapes/owners.htm or http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/handbook/Fertilize_Appropriately_vSept09.pdf for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 13

#13  Just bag it! 
Help protect the environment when you shop. Keep reusable bags on your car seat or near your door so they are easy to grab when you go. And you can even combine shopping bags - just tell the cashier that you don't need a bag, then put all your purchases together in one bag… just be sure to hang on to your receipts! Visit http://www.epa.gov/osw/education/pubs/shopping.htm for more information.