Backyard Gardener
U F / I F A S
I N T HI S

M A R C H
Spring Vegetable
Joe Sewards
UF/IFAS Extension, Volusia County
Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator
A Cannibal Among
Children’s Senory
Garden Takes
Shape… Page 3

Plaint Faire …Page 5

Flatwood Plum Vs.
Chickasaw
Plum...Pg 6

Firebush Scrub...Pg 7

Everyone Can and
Should be an Agriculturist..Pg 8

C O U N T Y
I S S UE
Us … Page 2

V O L U S I A
Spring Vegetable Gardening and the Edible Landscape
at the UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County
Edible Landscape Demonstration
Garden and the
Edible Landscape ...Pg 1

E X T E N S I O N ,
Calendar...Page 9
Compost bins using
recycled pallets
2 0 1 5
We’ve been busy in our new landscape here! Spring
is upon us and we are in a rush to get plants in the
ground throughout the project. Vegetable gardening
is on many folk’s mind and the time is now to get
things started. We’ve been busy starting seeds,
planting potatoes, building new beds, picking strawberries, fertilizing, spreading organic matter, tilling
and watering.
As part of the overall landscape renovation here, the “edible landscape,” as we
call it, has transformed from the fall/winter crops we were growing and is now
headed into spring. We planted 4 varieties of potatoes in different media, to
begin with. We have them growing (yes, they’re up) in a traditional row crop
demonstration as well as in containers, perlite, raised beds
and in straw bales! We want to show how to grow a variety
of vegetables in a variety of ways. The goal is to show everyone that they can grow at least a portion of their own food
no matter what their growing situation is. We have various
forms of hydroponics on display as well as container gardening, a product called “Garden SoxxTM” and a fantastic compost bin too.
The purpose of the edible landscape is to show visitors
unique and innovative ways to grow plants; particularly
Hydroponic tower
16 peppers
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
Spring Vegetable Garden and the Edible Landscape - Continued from Page 1
edible crops. By incorporating edibles into the landscape, everyone can add an element of sustainability to
their property. Also, for folks that live in condominiums, apartments and other places where growing edible
plants was otherwise challenging or even unthinkable, there are examples of how it can be done!
Other crops we will be growing in “non-traditional ways” will include carrots in containers, hydroponic
peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and squash; beans in hay bales, cucumbers on
trellises, pumpkins, melons, corn, and many other crops. Some corn will be in
raised beds and some will be in the row crop plot.
Hydroponic pepper
in a 5 gallon bucket
The garden also includes two cistern systems that have a combined capacity of
almost 1500 gallons. When complete, the cisterns will totally supply the edible
landscape with irrigation. One of the cistern pumps will be powered by solar
power! Our garden will be self-sufficient! The cisterns should be operational within
another month.
There is a lot to see in the edible landscape as well as in our entire project so, feel
free to come and have a look. It is a work in progress, for sure but, there is a lot to
see and a lot for you to learn about how you can become more ‘Florida Friendly
and sustainable in your own gardening and landscaping practices.
We are open from 8:00a.m till 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
One of two, cistern systems
A Cannibal Among Us
Dodie Ulery – Volusia County Master Gardener
Lurking in the shadows of Florida’s lawns and gardens is a monster that must be stopped. Because
of his cannibalistic nature, he’s consuming the native anole and green tree frog population in our state. This cannibal, Osteopilus Septentrionalis, is more commonly known as a Cuban Tree frog. A
native of Cuba, the Bahamas and the
Cayman Islands, this deadly predator
was introduced to South Florida in the
Hydroponic pepper in 5 gal. bucket
early 20th century via shipments from
its’ native habitat in the islands.
tates mucus membranes. They easily adapt to residential areas. These visitors can be found in most
areas in Florida. There have even been reports of
sightings in Southern Georgia as well.
They can be found inside pipes, behind
objects hung on walls or wooden
fences, inside birdhouses and even burrowed down into the soil on top of potted plants.
Research suggests they eliminate native
species of tree frogs and anoles by devouring them and they are rapidly becoming established in natural areas.
There have even been reports of blackouts and damaged utilities equipment
caused by these f r o g s w h e n they
create short-circuits.
This frog can grow to more than six
inches long. Unlike the much smaller
native green species, the Cuban tree
frogs are usually creamy white to light
brown. Their eyes are large and their skin is rough
to the touch and coated with a secretion that irri-
Continuedon
onPage
Page 49
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The Children’s Sensory Garden Takes Shape at the UF IFIS Extension Volusia County
By Sidney Solis
Master Gardener
A crew of seasoned and newbie Florida Master Gardeners alike applied and expanded their knowledge
by planting crepe myrtle, rose bushes, shrimp plants
and more than 30 other species of plants in the new
Children’s Sensory Garden Tuesday morning Feb.
17 at the UF IFAS Extension Office Volusia County.
yard, according to Florida-Friendly Landscaping
principals, such as examples of how to conserve water and use mulches, fertilizer. The nine principles
will be on display throughout the garden and especially in the kids’.”
A color wheel of raised beds with various colored
annuals will run along a circle’s perimeter, featuring
different plants throughout the year and the colors
of the rainbow to awaken kids’ eyes’ sense of sight,
Sewards said. For the nose’s sense of smell, gardeners planted and pruned 20 rose bushes, and other
odors, such as society garlic’s pungent scent, will
ultimately be featured too. Sound for the ears, in
addition to the new pond, will be feature plants,
such as ornamental grasses for kids to hear foliage
that blow in the wind and rustle.
Taste for the tongue will feature edibles, such as,
The Children’s Sensory Garden is an extension of
the Extension Office’s overall landscape design created by UF Professor and Landscape Architect Gail
Hanson and two students, said Joe Sewards. urban
horticultural agent and master gardener coordinator.
The planting was the first phase of the overall plan
for the Children’s Sensory Garden, which includes
five circles representing each of the five senses and
also the nine principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping. The entire garden is funded by the Environmental Cultural, Historical and Outdoor Grant,
funded by Volusia County tax dollars that the Extension was awarded.
nasturtiums, kids can pick and eat, Sewards said. In
the taste garden, kids and families will learn how to
make from bamboo and other materials, such as repurposed PVC, teepees and other interesting garden
art and structures that will serve to grow vining
plants, like green beans.
“This is a one of a kind garden” Sewards said. “The
garden is primarily directed at a kid, but anybody
can go through it and experience the various aspects
of sensory gardening, overall the whole garden is
designed as a demonstration and teaching garden
where people can come and get ideas of their own
Primary schools for many years have been coming
to the Extension Office gardens for tours and outdoor classroom experiences, said Master Gardener
Continued on Page 4
3
The Children’s Sensory Garden Takes Shape … Continued from Page 4
Volunteer and Former School Teacher Evelyn
Shapiro, who works in the Children’s Program. “We
get a lot of repeat classes coming every year. The
kind of fun for that. Kids also get to connect with
insects, learn about bees and pollination things like
that in the new vegetable and sensory garden.”
Indian River Elementary First Grade Teacher
Heather Ranieri will be bringing her class to make
its annual tour this March before the garden is complete, but she says the kids look forward to it every
year. “The kids just really enjoy it every year,”
Ranieri said. “They get to see the plants that are native to our area, and the tour makes it relevant to
first graders for them rather than reading in a book,
or video to talk about the food chain, the animals
and the plants. In the butterfly garden, kids get to
see the caterpillars. A lot of kids we have come
from pretty low socio-economic backgrounds and
don’t get to do a lot of things in the community.
new sensory garden will really change the whole
approach and curriculum, and we will get more
school tours, especially also with the wonderful
vegetable garden.” She sees how the gardens affect
kids’ awareness of the food they eat and where it
comes from. “It’s hard to believe that some kids
think strawberries actually come from Publix and
don’t realize they actually grow on a plant, so it’s
"To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves."
---Mohandas K. Gandhi
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MASTER GARDENER
PLANT AND VENDOR FAIRE
Saturday ~ April 11, 2015
8:30 am to Noon
Ag Center—Volusia County Fairgrounds
3100 E. New York Avenue, DeLand
FREE PARKING!! FREE ADMISSION!!
Cash, checks and credit cards
accepted by Master Gardeners
Bring your own wagon
Butterfly and Hummingbird Plants
Herbs and Edibles × Native Plants × Perennials ×Trees
Variety of Plant and Gardening Vendors
Plant Faire Preview
Friday - April 10th
9:00 am to Noon
Don’t Forget:
For details, call the Volusia County Extension Service:
Deland (386) 822—5778
Like us on Facebook!
Volusia County Horticulture
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Flatwood Plum Vs. Chickasaw Plum
Mary Wright, Master Gardener
UF/IFAS Extension, Volusia County
Which is right for your yard?
Blossoms Flatwoods Plum
This is the time of year when many trees and shrubs
put on a beautiful show with their delicate flowers.
They key is to know, which plant is right for my landscape.
The Flatwoods Plum is a Florida native. It does not
sprout seeds readily. If you plant Chickasaw Plums,
you will enjoy thousands of little Chickasaws sprouting everywhere, every year. The Chickasaw is considered a “weedy native”. The Chickasaw sprouts
from the base of the trunk while the Flatwoods does
not.
Both trees are cold hardy, drought tolerant, bird and
bee attracters. Both will reach heights of 20 to 25
feet. Correct pruning techniques will lead to a
stronger structure and prettier tree as it ages. The
Chickasaw will require more pruning than the Flat-
The Chickasaw Plum ( Prunus angustifolia ) and the
Flatwoods Plum ( Prunus umbellata ) look similar in
their bark, flowers and overall appearance. There is
one factor that really separates them into friendly
shrub or pain in the neck tree. Seeds.
woods. Both trees will grow in a wide range of light
and soil conditions.
Chickasaw plum – caution. This tree may sucker and
create dense thickets.
It may be more difficult to find Flatwoods Plums to
buy, but it is well worth the extra effort.
Like us on Facebook…
www.facebook.com/UniversityOfFloridaIfasVolusiaCounty Extension
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Firebush Scrub
Myrna Moore—Volusia County Master Gardener
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Hamelia (ham-EE-lee-uh)
Species: patens (pat-ens)
The Genus: Hamelia is named for the French
botanist Honri Louis Du Hamel du Monceau. Of
interest if you pronounce the name of the species: patens as “pay-tenz” it changes the meaning
to spreading.
Firebush is a joy in any landscape. Once established it requires little care, becomes drought tolerant and even survives salt. This evergreen is
fast growing and will reach 10 to 12 feet in height
within the plants first two
years of life. After its first
pruning it will grow to that
height within six months.
Full sun is best for blooming,
but the plant also does well
in partial shade. It tolerates
any type of soil, even our
sandy beachside The inflorescence is tubular with a
reddish yellow orange flower
which blooms most of the
year in our Central Florida
climate, zone 9b. The fruit is
a berry that goes from green
to yellow, then red and finally black.
Early people in tropical Americas used the stems
and leaves to treat many skin diseases as well as
insect stings, rashes, skin fungus, and sores. Ixcanan, as the Mayans called the Firebush means
”guardian of the forest”. The natives in Belize
used the plant to treat skin problems, wounds,
burns, insect bites and much more. They boiled
two handfuls of leaves, stems and flowers in a
couple of gallons of water. The liquid was used
for menstrual cramps in the
form of tea. After cooling it
was applied to the skin for
multiple topical uses. In Panama the Choco Indians
used the infusion to treat
fever and diarrheas, and
intestinal parasites. Venezuelan tribes used the
leaves to bring down body
temperature.
Brazilians
used the root as a diuretic,
and to treat headaches and
skin parasites. In Cuba it is
used for headaches and
rheumatism. Mexican people used it to heal wounds
and slow blood flow. Modern researchers have
found that many of the above treatments are effective.
In March when the first hummingbirds arrive
they come in droves to the Firebush’s colorful
long lasting blooms and then stay till late fall.
Butterflies love this plant for both nectar and larval food. A large variety of birds also feed on its
fruit. The Firebush fruit is edible and the plant
has a long history of medicinal and industrial
uses.
The Firebush I have had for many years thrives
on severe pruning to the height of 3 feet twice a
year. My bush grows to heights of 12 feet and
the humming birds flock here annually. I never
water nor feed this bush and the flowers and berries are always wonderful. At 5pm the hummingbirds are buzzing around with the butterflies
throughout the day. The work of pruning is nothing to the wonder I experience each year as I
watch the life that goes on and around this bush.
In Mexico where the Firebush has fruit most of
the year, the fruit is eaten from the bush or made
into a wine or syrup. The berry has an unusual
taste, sweet, and then bitter.
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Everyone Can and Should Be, An Agriculturist
By Whitney Elmore, Guest Columnist
Tampa Bay Times
What does it mean to shop locally for food? Some
people think it means to shop for goods grown
within the United States, some think within their
state, while others think it means to shop for
items produced only within their own county.
and supporting it. There are so many ways we can
guide this critical process that we collectively call
agriculture. It's simple to help yourself and support agriculture: Start a garden and growing and
preparing your own food. You can learn about
commercial food production and about best farming and gardening practices, attending the various
seminars held at extension offices, visit farmer's
markets. You can join or start a food policy council
to guide land-use ordinances in your area. Volunteer at food pantries. Take a culinary class. Encourage your children to join 4-H. Shop at local markets, and choose "Fresh from Florida" brands.
Wendell Berry, American novelist, poet, environmental activist, cultural critic and farmer, explains
"shopping locally" as "(buying) food that is produced closest to your home," because "the locally
produced food supply is the easiest for local consumers to know about and to influence." This 1990
quote is a powerful statement. It means that when
we buy local, we're commanding a great force and
we're becoming active consumers in the process.
An active consumer influences not only agriculture
but also the economy.
No matter how you do it, the most important step
to becoming a responsible consumer is to have a
relationship with your food. Let's respect the
plants and the animals. Let's respect the men and
women growing, processing and delivering our
food for us to enjoy and live long, healthy lives.
Let's respect the sounds, smells and sights of the
agriculture that surround us and take responsibility for the role we play within it because of the
choices we make when shopping.
By shopping locally, we can talk to our local farmers and gardeners about where our food comes
from and how it is produced, and we can take an
active role in the agriculture around us. In essence,
we become agriculturists without ever turning the
soil or tending to the animals. To make it fresher,
safer and more secure, it's got to become our agriculture, and it's time we were all active in it.
When we smell the cows, let it empower instead
of repel. When we hear the cannons in the blueberry fields, let us be reminded that those farmers
are protecting our food with that noise by shooing
away the birds. When we get stuck behind a slow
tractor or semi full of produce, let us be proud of
that crop and not annoyed by the delay.
National Geographic this year defined agriculture
as "the art and science of cultivating the soil,
growing crops and raising livestock. It includes the
preparation of plant and animal products for people to use and their distribution to markets."
Based on this definition, we all play a significant
role in agriculture, whether we choose to or not,
because we're consumers.
Consumers are the whole purpose for this art and
science. As active consumers, it is our responsibility to eat responsibly by learning about where our
food comes from, how it's produced and how it
gets to us before we eat it because we influence
the food and it influences us.
We don't have to be rich, and we don't need to be
the most popular or the loudest to have influence
— we just need to think and buy food locally. Agriculture is the fabric of our bodies, our homes, our
schools, our economy, our nation and our world.
Let's all be agriculturalists.
Whitney Elmore is the University of Florida/
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Pasco
County extension director and urban horticulture
agent. Contact her at [email protected].
It's time to take individual responsibility for our
agriculture by learning more about it, protecting it
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Calendar of Public Events March & April
Topic
Ormond Beach Plant Clinic
Water Wise Garden Fair
Port Orange Library Plant Clinic
Basic Rose Care
Operating /Maintaining Your Irrigation
System (`1.5 CEUs)
Plant Clinic
Sugar Mill Garden Workday /Q&A
Citrus Care (1.5 CEUs)
Wildflower Festival
Ormond Beach Plant Clinic
Gardem Tools. Selection, Care, Use (1.5 CEU)
Master Gardener Plant Faire
Port Orange MG Q&A Clinic
Port Orange Library Plant Clinic
Sugar Mill Garden Workday /Q&A
Basic Lawn Care (1.5 CEU)
MG Plant Clinic
Native Plants
Date/Time
3/2/15—10 am to 12 n
3/7/15—10 to 4 pm
3/10/15—2 to 4 pm
3/12/15—1 to 2:30 pm
3/14/15—10 to 11:30 am
3/17/15—1 to 3 pm
3/18/15—9 to 11 am
3/26/15—21 to 2:30 pm
3/28/15—8 am to 3 pm
4/6/15—10 am to 12 n
4/9/15—1 to 2:30 pm
Location
Ormond Beach Library
200 Canal Street, New Smyrna
Port Orange Library
DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries
DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries
New Smyrna Beach LIbrary
Sugar Mill Garden ,Port Orange
DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries
Downtown DeLand
Ormond Beach Library
DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries
4/11/15—8:30 to 12 n Ag Center
3/14/15—10 to 12 pm
3/14/15—2 to 4 pm
4/15/15—9 to 11 am
4/18/15—10 to 11:30 am
4/21/15—1 to 3 pm
4/25/15—1 to 2:30 pm
Port Orange Library
Port Orange Library
Sugar Mill Garden ,Port Orange
DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries
New Smyrna Beach Library
DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries
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
A morning glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.
Walt Whitman
A Cannibal Among Us Continued from Page 2
There are, at present, no repellents available to stop the mayhem. We, as gardeners and caretakers of the wild places in
Florida, must take the initiative. When
you find one of these innocent looking
creatures, protect your hands with gloves
or a plastic bag. They can leap up to six
feet. After you finally catch it, deposit the
frog into a plastic bag, like a food storage
bag and place the bag inside the freezer.
After twenty–four hours you can
toss the carcass into the garbage .
This is a very humane way of dealing with
these predators. If there is any green in
their color, it may be a native species.
Check for the color – creamy white to
light brown.
Happy Hunting!
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