Backyard Gardener
I N T HI S
V O L U S I S A
C O U N T Y
E X T E N S I O N
ISSUE
Native Edible…
Page 3
Recipes from the
Garden… Page 4
June/July Calendar… Page 4
It’s All In A
Name… Page 5
How Is That Pronounced… Page 5
The Color Purple
or Blue… Page 6
Pollination—
Accident By Design… Page 6
Love Is In The
Air… Page 7
Can You Name
This… Page 7
2 0 1 3
it won‟t grow well or, planting turf for the
sake of planting turf.
Florida Friendly
Turfgrass… Page
1
J U N E
Florida Friendly Turfgrass?
Yes, It Does Exist!
Joe Sewards
UF/IFAS Volusia County Extension
Urban Horticulture Agent
I have been teaching the principles of
Florida Friendly LandscapingTM for years.
Those who are learning about one, or
more, of the nine principles for the first
time often come to the presentation with
preconceived notions about Florida
Friendly LandscapingTM. Being Florida
Friendly doesn‟t necessarily mean that
you plant native plants exclusively. Native plants can be part of a “Florida
Friendly” landscape. The most important
principle is “Right Plant/Right Place. It
doesn‟t mean that you never fertilize or
water; fertilizing and watering must be
done appropriately and only when it is
needed. It doesn‟t mean that you must
plant nothing but rocks and cacti either. A
Florida Friendly landscape can look like
any other landscape. And, it doesn‟t mean
that there can be no turf. A Florida
Friendly landscape can have turf. Remember, it is about “Right Plant/Right Place.
Sometimes, turf is just that. Where many
have gone astray is by planting turf where
Let‟s face it, turf is relatively easy to understand compared to the variety of landscape plants that are available. Lawns are
two-dimensional things. They don‟t require a lot of thought to plant and almost
anyone can lay sod. But, let me say again,
turf can be an important part of the landscape as long as it is the right plant for the
right place.
If you have dogs or kids then, turf is important. Kids like to play in the grass.
Dogs like to lay in the grass (as well as do
other things). Turf can also be an important design element in the landscape adding continuity and transition between distinct outdoor areas. So, don‟t think that
being Florida Friendly means that you
can‟t have turf because you can!
Continued on Page 2
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race,
creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is
an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and
institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation,
marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service,
University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners
Cooperating.
have different fertilizer requirements for best growth.
This is true not only for quantities but also for timing.
Florida Friendly Turfgrass?
Yes, It Does Exist!
UF recommends that turf not be fertilized until after
the grass greens up in the spring. The reason is, according to the research, grass root mass is at its lowest
level of the year. This doesn‟t facilitate nutrient uptake
so, applying fertilizer too early in the growing season
wastes money and contributes to nutrient leaching.
Turfgrass responds best and absorbs nutrients most
efficiently when it is actively growing. Warm season
grasses like St. Augustine grass, zoyzia grass, bahia
grass and centipede grass all absorb applied nutrients,
most efficiently, from the midsummer till early fall.
Continued from Page 1
Which Turfgrass Species is “Florida Friendly?
The real answer is; they all can be. Again, if turf is the
right plant for the right place then, that goes a long
way toward being Florida Friendly. If it is watered
only when needed instead of arbitrarily or by some
schedule then, that is yet another step toward being
“Florida Friendly.” If the turf is fertilized according to
University of Florida recommendations then, it is even
more Florida Friendly. If pests are treated appropriately and pesticides are applied carefully then you are
on your way toward creating a more “Florida
Friendly” lawn. Learn about the needs of each individual turf type and then decide which one is right for
you. The various species of turfgrasses that we grow
in Florida all require unique maintenance regimes that
will optimize their health and growth. Knowing the
appropriate fertilizer rates, proper application timing
and proper pesticide applications are critical if you are
to have healthy turf; no matter which species you
choose.
Some communities have imposed fertilization bans
during the summer since there is more rainfall then
and the impression is that most of the fertilizer will be
washed away with heavy summer rains. When you
stop to think about this, warm season grasses have
adapted to this and have evolved to absorb water and,
nnutrients most efficiently at that time. Also, the re-
Yes, even St. Augustine grass can be Florida Friendly.
It isn‟t the grass that is the problem; it is often unrealistic expectations that have been placed upon the turf
and intolerance of anything less than perfect that has
led to unwanted environmental contamination; especially of our water resources.
What Does the Research Say About Turfgrass and
Nutrient Leaching?
The University of Florida recently concluded a multiyear, multi-million dollar study on the effects of turf
fertilization on nutrient leaching. What the research is
showing is, that as long as each turfgrass species is
fertilized according to University of Florida recommendations, nutrient leaching is of little to no concern.
In fact, in some trials, the concentration of nitrogen in
the leachate was less than that of rainwater. Phosphorus movement off-site, when applied appropriately,
was also of little concern. Of course, the operative
phrase is “when applied properly.” Homeowners and
lawn maintenance professionals alike should refer to
UF/IFAS recommendations for fertilization of
turfgrass. Also keep in mind; different turfgrasses
search indicates that the type of fertilizer doesn‟t matter either. Whether slow-release or readily available
forms of nitrogen are applied, it doesn‟t affect nitrogen leaching as long as the product is applied properly
and in accordance with University of Florida recommendations. This is interesting research and it will be
used to help guide policy with regards to the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(FDACS) statewide fertilizer rule and fertilizer legislation within state code.
Continued On Page 3
2
If you have questions about applying fertilizers appropriately contact the UF/IFAS County Extension
Office in your county. The Volusia County Extension
Office can be contacted at; 386-822-5778 or, on the
web at, http://volusia.org/services/communityservices/extension/horticulture/. The physical address
is, 3100 E. New York Ave., Deland, Fl. 32724. Another great resource for both homeowners and lawn
care professionals can be found, on line at the University of Florida/IFAS Turfgrass Science Department at: http://hort.ufl.edu/yourfloridalawn/
lawn_maintenance.shtml
Florida Friendly Turfgrass?
Yes, It Does Exist!
Continued from Page 2
So, the bottom line is this; it isn‟t so much the product (fertilizer) that is being applied it is how it is being applied as well as when. Fertilizers don‟t apply
themselves so; it is the responsibility of the applicator; whether you are a homeowner or a lawn care professional, to be sure that any given fertilizer is applied appropriately, according to University of Florida recommendations.
Chickasaw Plum is a Florida native but has a natural
range over much of the United States. They do best
in full sun but can „tolerate‟
partial shade. Do it a favor and
plant in full sun.
Native Edible
Chickasaw Plum (Prunus augustifolia) is a Florida native. The
Chickasaw Plum produces small
fruit (1/2 to 1 inch) that is edible
and often used for jam. The
plum is quite tart. The fruit also
provides food for birds.
Seedlings and suckers may develop around the tree. These
may be pruned out or the tree
left to develop into a thicket.
The Chickasaw Plums have a
relatively short life spans but
the thickets they form can last
for long durations. Chickasaw
plums may be propagated from
seed but can take a couple of
years to germinate.
The Chickasaw Plum can grow
to 25 feet with an equal spread.
However, it is more normal to
see the trees in the 10-12 foot
range. It is one of those trees
that flowers before leaves appear
in the spring. It will be covered
with small white flowers. This
makes it a feature of the landscape while other trees remain
dormant.
The Chickasaw Plum is easy to
maintain. Its range is zones 6A
to 9B. Light requirements are
full sun to light shade and is Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action
Plan, Bugwood.org
quite drought tolerant once established. However, it does require some pruning to
maintain
a
good
strong
structure.
It
may take some
searching
to
locate a nursery that carries
the Chickasaw
Karan A. Rawlins, University
Plum.
of Georgia, Bugwood.org
3
Get your Chickasaw Plum in
the ground. Get your canning
supplies and wine making supplies ready. Chickasaw plums
may be in your future.
Ed Williams
Karan A. Rawlins, University
of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Recipes From The Garden
Fresh Salsa
4 Cups ripe tomatoes… chopped
3-6 Jalapeño peppers… minced
2 Medium Onions… chopped
1 Small green pepper… chopped
1 tsp Salt
3 Tbsp chopped Cilantro
1 tsp minced then crushed fresh Garlic
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
Nice thing about this recipe is that almost every ingredient can come from your own garden. Feel free
to chop and mince to sizes you like and change proportions of ingredients to your taste. The amount of
jalapeños is up to your heat tolerance. Remember that removing the ribs from the jalapeños will reduce
the heat level considerably. Change up the taste by using lime juice rather than the vinegar. This salsa
not only makes a great dip but is good on many chicken and fish dishes.
June & July Calendar of Public Events
Topic
Q & A at the Garden Center Wal-Mart- Deland
Using Plants to Conserve Energy (1 CEU)
Basic Pest Control/Lemonade lecture (2 CEUs)
Got Zoyzia (3.75 CEUs)
Herbs (1 CEU)
Palms for Central Florida (1 CEU)
Basic Lawn Care (1 CEU)
Sugar Mill Garden Q&A- workday & plant swap
Butterfly Gardening (1 CEU)
Date
Location
Saturday, June 01, 2013 Wal-Mart - Deland
Thursday, June 13, 2013 DeBary Historic Hall
Saturday, June 15, 2013 DeBary Historic Hall
Orange County Extension EducaTuesday, June 18, 2013 tion Center
Thursday, June 20, 2013 NSB Library
Thursday, June 27, 2013 DeBary Historic Hall
Thursday, July 11, 2013 DeBary Historic Hall
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 Sugar Mill Garden - Port Orange
Thursday, July 25, 2013 DeBary Historic Hall
For more details Master Gardeners should check the VMS calendar.
The general public may contact the Volusia County Agricultural Center.
Volusia County Agricultural Center
3100 E. New York Ave. (S.R. 44),
Deland, FL 32724
At the Volusia County Fair Grounds
West Volusia… 386-822-5778
Daytona Beach… 386-257-6012 New Smyrna Beach… 386-423-3368
4
scribing parts of North America, although
„prairie‟ is actually French for meadow: a field
vegetated by grasses and other non-woody
plants, unimproved in order to make hay. A
South African veldt is also comparable to a
steppe, prairie or even outback—unimproved
shrub or grassland, and there is a high veldt and
low veldt. In South America there is the pampas, but this is the same as a plain or prairie, part
of the grassland, savannah and shrubland biome.
It’s All In A Name
It‟s like a lot of other things that seem very confusing but are really simple once you figure them
out. I‟m talking about ecozones or biomes—
similar conditions of the earth that are influenced
by climate, latitude and humidity; ecosystem is
another term. Biodiversity of these systems
naturally increases and you move away from the
poles and there is more humidity. It is in the
temperate regions that you have coniferous forests, mixed forests, shrublands and grass lands.
Of course, there are variations, mixings you will,
as one ecozone becomes another, and the „lay of
the land‟ contributes. There are mountains and
valleys, dry lands and wet lands, uplands and
lowlands and flatlands. But there are basically
four climate zones in the world. They are the
polar regions, subtropics, tropics and deserts,
and mostly life is lived between the poles and
deserts.
To think of Sherlock Holmes and Watson delving into a murder on the English moors is a little
less mysterious when you realize that a moor is a
marsh or wetland, differing only from a swamp
in that a moor is dominated by grasses and reeds
instead of trees and bogs (accumulated deposits
of peat) as is a swamp.
Florida has its own exotic and mysterious ecosystem, at least it must seem so to readers of
Florida lore who live in other lands, with our
flatwoods, bottomland hardwood forests, floodplains, sand hills and most mysterious of all,
hammocks—islands of hardwood trees surrounded by wetlands. This term is an English
word derived from sailors to describe an island
of trees seen from afar. But these are descriptive
words which can easily be deciphered when our
ecosystem is compared with similar latitudes of
our world, even thought the terminology used
may be different.
In English, biomes are called by local names.
To a reader of literature, it seems like the climate/geography of a place described is from another planet. To be reading about the flatland
prairies in America is to be reading about the
grasslands, savannahs and steppe lands of other
locales, but trying to picture Russian „steppes‟
seems exotic and foreign. A bio-diverse difference is that in the steppes the grasses are short as
the climate is semi-arid. The tall grass prairies
receive higher amounts of rain. A prairie is part Its all in a name.
of the grassland, savannah and shrubland ecozone system. The word is used mainly in de-
Rebecca Turner
How Is That Pronounced????
Does it seem the scientific plant names are in a foreign language? Well they are… sometimes! The
scientific names may come from Latin or be modifications of a person‟s name or of a location. There
is a web site that can help. The Fine Gardening website has a pronunciation guide that includes audio
so the word(s) may be heard spoken as well as read phonetically. There is no charge or registration
required.
Just surf to http://www.finegardening.com/pguide/pronunciation-guide-to-botanicallatin.aspx.
Knowing the scientific name is very useful. Common names can be confusing. One plant may have
more than one common name and one common name may be used for more than one plant. Scientific
names are unique and mean the same plant (or animal) anywhere in the world.
5
The Color Purple—or Blue
is classified as an invasive species in parts of North
America.
Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as the Madagascar periwinkle, is a native of Madagascar. Madagascar periwinkle has been grown in this country since the
19th century. In 1969 and again 1991 won awards as All
American Selection.
Periwinkle has a history of use in folk medicine, especially for treatment of diabetes. The Chinese used extracts from it to treat diabetes, malaria and Hodgkin‟s
lymphoma. In World War II soldiers stationed in the
Philippines used Madagascar periwinkle leaves to substitute for unavailable insulin.
This plant is
extremely
hardy
and
tough, able to
withstand almost all conditions. . It
can grow over
2 ft tall and
many cultivars
are available.
Madagascar Periwinkle
Madagascar
Periwinkles will grow in full sun or partial shade. They
tolerate dry soils best, loves heat, and will flower from
early spring to late fall. Colors range from white to pink
polka dot and this plant readily sets seed to return year
after year
Livestock which ingested large amounts were found to
suffer symptoms of poison. Deer when given a choice
of annuals will not eat Periwinkle.
Researchers in the 1950‟s found that plant had no real
effect on blood sugar levels but the lab animals showed
decreased activity of the bone marrow. Further study
found mice with leukemia whose lives were prolonged
with extract taken from the leaves. Of the 70 alkaloids
found in Madagascar Periwinkle leaves, 2 alkaloids
identified led to further research and the development of
vinblastine and vincristine, powerful anti- cancer drugs.
Both drugs are still in use today as chemotherapy
agents. In fact vincristine is credited with increasing
lifespan of children with leukemia from 20% to 80%.
I allow the Catharanthus roseus to set seed where it
may and then decide if I want it in that location. They
provide wonderful color and little to no care. The Vinca
minor I plant in pots to contain. The draping vine likes
to cling down the sides and the small dark green leaves
with the tiny blue flower are highlighted by the terracotta pots.
Catharanthus roseus
used to be identified as
Vinca rosea which led to
confusion with Periwinkle ground cover Vinca
minor a plant that has
few pests or diseases and
Myrna Moore
Vinca Minor
Pollination—Accident By Design
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) do not get up the morning
and decide to go out and pollinate plants. The bees‟
interest is to either collect nectar for honey production
or pollen as food for their brood (babies) and young
adult bees. In the process of foraging for food flower
pollen from anthers becomes stuck to the hairs on the
bees‟ bodies. As the bees move from flower to flower
some of that pollen is deposited on the stigma of other
flowers. The bees have no intent to provide this service.
This action with sticky legs allows the bees to collect
the pollen on the front leg. At this point the bee rubs
the front leg on a special structure, the pollen basket or
corbicula, on the rear leg. It is here that a small ball of
pollen is collected for transport back to the hive.
The evolution of flowers intertwined with the evolution
of the honey bee gives us the magic of pollination The
plant‟s nectar attracts the bee. The bee, as an incidental
action, moves pollen so fertilization may take place.
Nature makes things work. Usually, nature‟s plan
works well unless there is interference from outside
To collect pollen to bring back to the hive they put agents.
some nectar on their front leg and wipe their body.
Ed Williams
6
and pollen. Why the affinity for automobiles? Lovebugs are attracted to some of the components of autoIt must either be spring or fall… the Lovebugs are mobile engine exhaust explaining their love of cars.
here and making money for the local car washes. So, They are also attracted to light colors and congregate
who are these little darlings? Scientists call them by the hundreds (thousands?) on my white bee hives.
Plecia nearctia. They have a number of various Females lay up to 350 eggs. The eggs are laid under
names with yucky being popular.
debris in grassy and weedy areas. This is where the
Lovebugs provide us a service. The larvae process
vegetative waste as do other helpers such as fungi and
worms.
Love Is In The Air
Do pesticides help control Lovebugs? Not really.
There are pesticides that will work but Lovebugs return almost immediately. Is it is a good idea to
spread a poison to control a harmless insect but the
insecticide may kill helpful species? Their large
numbers and mobility make the use of insecticides
ineffective. A fan may be used to eliminate Lovebugs from a small area as they cannot fly against
much of breeze.
Love bugs are not native to Florida. They did not
appear hear until 1949 after migrating from Louisiana
and Mississippi. By 1960 they had spread through
out the state. Other than being a nuisance they cause
no harm to animals or crops.
How overwhelming can they be? A few seasons ago
we had a massive infestation. The Lovebugs, as mentioned previously, love to settle on my white bee
hives. One morning I went out to check on the bees
and there were strange black outlined rectangles on
the ground under the hives which are raised. Upon
closer inspection the lines were caused by hundreds
of Lovebugs that had died while on the hives and fell
to the ground forming a „drip line‟ of Lovebug bodies.
What are these little annoyances anyway? Believe it
or not they are a fly and closely related to mosquitoes
and gnats. Just like honey bees, butterflies and other
flies, Lovebugs go through complete metamorphosis.
That is egg—larvae—pupa—adult. Also, like Honey It could be worse… think mosquitoes.
Bees and adult wasps the Lovebugs feed on nectar
Ed Williams
Can You Name This?
Hint: Name of flower is the name of a
famous murder case
Hint: Parsley, fennel and dill are host plant to
this critter.
Answers on Page 8
7
their host plants. Want to see something interesting. Gently poke the head of the caterpillar. Two red „ears‟ will pop out of its head.
These are scent glands that are said to scare
off predators.
Can You Name
This?
Answers!
Seeking
Contributors
This is the Dahlia… Dahlia x hybrid.
Do you have the urge to be published? Have
knowledge of plants that you wish to share?
Use some great recipes using veggies and
fruits? Learned some gardening tips the hard
way and want to share them? You are in luck.
We are always looking for contributions to the
newsletter.
Photo by Ed Williams
Articles do not have to be long. Don‟t worry
about pictures either. We can always round
Did you know the Dahlia is the national
up photos for articles. It is not necessary to
flower of Mexico? The famous murder is the
be a computer publishing guru. Just type your
case of the Black Dahlia.
article in MS Word or OpenOffice using
Times New Roman font at 12 pitch. Once the
article is complete just email it to me.
Here are some ideas for articles…
This is the Parsley Worm… Papilio polyxenes
What to do in the garden for the month
Plants of the Month
Tips/Pet Peeves from Master Gardeners
What to do in the Garden This Month
Disease or pest information
Native Plants
What is this?
Equipment evaluations
Book evaluations
Hoping to be reading your articles soon.
Photo by Ed Williams
This is the caterpillar of the Black Swallowtail butterfly. Plants in the carrot family are
Ed Williams
8